--- title: Leadership development program date: 2026-07-03T01:36:00+10:00 author: Portable canonical_url: "https://portable.com.au/training/leadership-development-program" section: Training --- Most people get promoted into leadership because they were good at the job before it. Rarely are you handed a manual for the part that comes next: managing performance, having the conversation you've been avoiding, setting a boundary you can actually hold, or knowing what kind of leader you want to be when things get hard. This program is built for that gap. Portable's leadership development program runs across five 90-minute sessions over six weeks, small enough that you're known by name and challenged directly, spaced out enough that you have time to try what you've learned on your actual team before the next session lands. It's run by [Kathryn Foster](https://portable.com.au/people/kathryn-foster), an organisational psychologist and Portable's Head of People and Culture, who teaches the same practices she already uses to [develop leaders](https://portable.com.au/articles/become-a-better-leader) inside Portable. ## The Spring leadership session Five sessions, each 90 minutes ##### September 3, Thursday 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM AEST ##### September 17, Thursday 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM AEST ##### September 29, Tuesday 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM AEST ##### October 13, Tuesday 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM AEDT ##### October 27, Tuesday 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM AEDT ##### From $1250 [Book now](https://events.humanitix.com/leadership-development-with-portable-spring-2026) ### For leaders who already have the team and the track record, and want to lead exceptionally You already have the team, the runs on the board, and the instinct that got you here. What's harder to protect is the time to sharpen your own leadership practice, rather than spending every session on the next fire in front of you. This program is built for that exact stage, for people already leading well who want to lead exceptionally, and for people newer to the role who want to build the core skills properly from the start. Portable's leadership development program is led by [Kathryn Foster](https://portable.com.au/people/kathryn-foster), organisational psychologist and Portable's Head of People and Culture. Kathryn built the program to be evidenced based and practical in equal measure: real models and research, tested immediately against the actual team you lead, so what you take from each session is something you can use on your own people the same week. ![Leadership training with Kathryn](https://portable.com.au/assets/_transforms/images/training/83100/leadership-training_9f897b1382d56b7dbd210a479f72ecc7.png) ## What to expect in your program - ### An open learning environment This is a great opportunity to expand your professional network and enhance your leadership practice. Learn from peers, practice in live environments, and reflect back to one another. - ### Leadership model exploration Learn leadership models you can easily apply to your practice, managing your own and others wellbeing, effective coaching, setting and maintaining boundaries, difficult conversations, goal setting, and more. - ### Active participation Hands on, practical training backed by theory. Role play setting and holding boundaries, reflect on homework that has you using the skills from the previous session. - ### Real engagement and resources By the end of the program, Kathryn will genuinely know you and your natural leadership styles. The classes are capped to ensure this level of care and growth. Plus all materials and resources are provided, you just need to show up ready to learn. ## What past participants say > “With the new knowledge I've gained I feel not only more equipped in my leadership capabilities but I've also gained a new perspective of my personal leadership skills and it's helped to validate that I am doing some things right—so there's been a perception shift as well.” > “I thought Kathryn obviously had a deep level of knowledge on the subject matter and passion for improving leadership and team dynamics, and this meant they were able to be very flexible and responsive to each participant and what they were bringing/their questions etc - they could answer any questions thoughtfully and guide that into a broader discussion, share further resources or perspectives, link different topics to each other, continue connecting it all back together.” > “This was such a fun program!! I really appreciated the chance to self-reflect throughout it and have frameworks to give language to interactions that might have otherwise felt nebulous. Just thank you SO much for this such a warm, welcoming, and well-led program. I found it so helpful.” > “Kathryn provided the information in an easy to understand format and was effusive and conscientious at every turn. It was a fantastic course in particular for those leading teams and grappling with how to do that important role in a way that maximises outcomes for all involved.” ## Not quite what you need? Chat with us around custom training This program runs on a set schedule for a general cohort. If your team needs something built specifically around your context, we design custom training too: a private version of this leadership program, or a program built around any of the capabilities we work in every day, from AI and data engineering to strategic design and content strategy. Start the conversation about what your team needs. [Talk to us](https://portable.com.au/contact-us) ## Explore more of Portable's work - ![](https://portable.com.au/assets/_transforms/images/71298/AI-Training_638b64f2391dff6e364e5709b4734889.png)### [AI training with Portable](https://portable.com.au/training/ai-training) - ![Unlocking the potential of AI in statutory planning for Victorian councils](https://portable.com.au/assets/_transforms/images/caseStudy/mavlabs-ai-in-statutory-planning-for-councils/10682/aHnmkkMqNJQqIFnv_638b64f2391dff6e364e5709b4734889.jpg)### [Unlocking the potential of AI in statutory planning for Victorian councils](https://portable.com.au/work/case-studies/mavlabs-ai-in-statutory-planning-for-councils) - ![Visib-ill-ity](https://portable.com.au/assets/_transforms/images/event/visib-ill-ity/22618/ZdgzWzpgV5jBjCQJ_638b64f2391dff6e364e5709b4734889.png)### [Visib-ill-ity: Progress and hope for women living with chronic illness](https://portable.com.au/events/visib-ill-ity) - ![](https://portable.com.au/assets/_transforms/images/article/beyond-wage-theft-enforcement/1241/afwrncBOoF08xs9W_638b64f2391dff6e364e5709b4734889.png)### [We submitted to the Senate wage theft inquiry. Here's why.](https://portable.com.au/articles/beyond-wage-theft-enforcement)