Case Study 1 — VOS Construction & Joinery (2023)

Program: Upskilling Leaders (2 workshops + 6 x 1:1 coaching sessions per participant)

Context

VOS delivered Upskilling Leaders across two cohorts (North/North-West and South). The program combined two leadership workshops with a coaching stream that included a 90-minute Enneagram debrief and ongoing 1:1 support to embed learning into real on-the-job leadership situations.

The challenge

In construction environments, leaders are often promoted because they’re capable and reliable. But the pressures of timelines, safety, trade coordination, and interpersonal friction demand more than competence. VOS wanted leaders who could stay steady under pressure, communicate clearly, give and receive feedback well, and handle conflict without escalation or avoidance.

What we did

The program was designed to build both the outer skills and the inner capacity that determines how leaders show up when it counts.

Workshops covered practical and applied leadership foundations including: emotional intelligence, conscious leadership (Above/Below the Line), threat and trust dynamics (SCARF), conflict and group dynamics, assertiveness, listening and communication, situational leadership, managing up, and practical “shift moves” for leading under pressure.

Coaching supported integration through six sessions per participant. Coaching created a space to speak freely about real challenges and translate insight into specific leadership behaviours in day-to-day work.

Evidence of impact

Workshop evaluation signal: Approximately 90% of participants rated the workshop content as very relevant (or higher), delivery as very clear (or higher), the workshop overall as very good (or higher), and were likely (or higher) to recommend it.

Coaching evaluation signal: Approximately 90% agreed (or higher) that they felt understood, coaching improved their understanding of themselves and their workplace, improved wellbeing, and made a positive difference to leadership capacity; 90% would recommend coaching to others.

Reported behavioural shifts included: pausing before reacting, clearer expectations, improved delegation, stronger conflict conversations, improved assertiveness, better listening, stronger managing up, and better self-care and stress management.

Participant voice

“The one-on-one sessions are excellent and is the only training I have done where I am comfortable discussing any work or personal challenges.”

“It’s been the most rewarding and challenging training I’ve done… it has the potential to change the culture.”

What the organisation gained

VOS developed leaders who were more self-aware, more regulated under pressure, and more capable in communication and conflict. The program created a shared leadership language and practical behaviour changes that support stronger team stability, better working relationships, and more sustainable leadership performance.