Unlocking Your Leadership Capacity within the Social Sector: What to Expect from The ILSS Leadership Program

Date : Mar 5 , 2024 | By Ananya Sharma

‘Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.’
– Warren Bennis

In the area of the social sector, one question looms large, demanding exploration and introspection: Why is leadership so crucial in the context of the social sector? Though seemingly simple, it unravels a complex narrative that delves into the heart of what it means to lead in service of others.

Imagine a world where individuals have the power to drive positive social change. This vision offers insight into the necessary steps that need to be taken, yet it demands bold leadership—individuals capable of inspiring, mobilising, and empowering others to rally behind the cause. The disparity between mindset and skills poses a barrier to effecting this change. This is precisely where leadership programs step in, to bridge the gap.

Why is there a need for Leadership in the social sector?

Leadership in the social sector is often overlooked, despite its crucial role in driving meaningful change. Unfortunately, many social purpose organisations find themselves grappling with leadership deficits. This is where you come in.

“More than 50% of NGOs have not received any funding for leadership development in the last two years and lack the talent management processes to build effective teams.”

Source: ‘Building the Bench at Indian NGOs: Investing to fill the leadership development gap’ -Bridgespan, based on a survey of over 250 non profit leaders from India

Leadership programs are the key to unlocking potential and igniting transformative changes. Often, the desire to shift from the corporate to the social sector serves as the primary motivation.

By investing in these programs, individuals can equip themselves with the tools, strategies, and the attitude needed to navigate through challenges, seize opportunities, and make a lasting impact in the social sector.

How is The ILSS Leadership Program different?

The ILSS Leadership Program stands as a beacon of innovation and contextualised learning within the landscape of leadership development. With a focus on intensive and experiential learning modules, the program is structured in such a way that you can meaningfully engage with the nonprofit sector.

Our mission is clear: to equip you with a deep understanding of the sector, essential capabilities, operational alignment, and external alliances necessary to execute strategies and advance missions effectively. With our leadership program, you’ll gain the tools and insights to lead with purpose, navigate complexities, and create meaningful change.

Since its inception in 2018, The ILSS Leadership Program has made significant strides. With a track record of training over 350+ leaders, the program has established itself as a trusted resource for leadership development within the nonprofit sector. Additionally, The ILSS Leadership Program boasts an expansive network of over 150 faculty and academicians who contribute their expertise and insights to enrich the learning experience.

What to expect from The ILSS Leadership Program?

This program isn’t just about honing leadership skills; it’s about fostering a deep-rooted commitment to social impact and driving meaningful change.

The ILSS Leadership Program is renowned for its excellence in facilitating leaders to transition effectively within the social sector. Its carefully curated approach integrates leadership capacity building within the social sector, and social work leadership training, ensuring that you receive a well-rounded understanding, tailored to the unique demands of the social sector.

Furthermore, the placement opportunities post the program are vast within various sectors in the social space (Healthcare, Environmental Conservation, Community Development, Education, etc.) Some of the organisations where our alumni are placed include Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Piramal Swasthya, Central Square Foundation, Ashoka University, Udayan Care, amongst others.

Let us understand the key elements of The ILSS Leadership Program:

1. Foundation Module: The core premise is to unravel the social sector through different lenses, such as constitution, history, complexity, leadership, and more.
2. Building Blocks: The practical application of the foundational module for impact areas, such as education, health, gender, environment, etc.
3. Cohort Connect: Facilitated spaces for creating a platform among impact practitioners, leveraging each other’s experiences and skills.
4. Field Visit: Hands-on understanding of perspectives in action through visits to organisations.
5. Individual Synthesis: Spaces fostering reflection to guide individual journeys within the sector.

Our alumni are creating lasting changes in the social sector.

‘Ishmeet Singh, Senior VP of Health at Piramal Swasthya, draws from extensive experience at prestigious firms like Fonterra, Mattel, and Vodafone. With a strong dedication to leveraging digital innovation for public health enhancement, Ishmeet leads efforts to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare, catalysing transformative change in healthcare delivery.’

The ILSS Leadership Program is not just a leadership program; it’s a catalyst for societal transformation. Through its comprehensive approach to management and leadership development, collaboration and networking, The ILSS Leadership Program is empowering leaders to drive positive change and create a more just, equitable, and sustainable society for all.

Become a change leader. Learn more about The ILSS Leadership Program.