Interview with Andrew Lynn, Cancer Research UK, who attended Roffey Park’s Personal Effectiveness and Power course
Andrew Lynn is the Database Administration Manager within Fundraising and Marketing at Cancer Research UK. He attended Roffey Park’s Personal Effectiveness and Power course in January and shares his experiences with us below.
Why did you decide to invest in a PEP course?
Cancer Research UK has a number of internal management development programmes including Prospect, which I participate in. Through this programme I have evaluated my skill set and determined areas for improvement. With our Personal Development department, I drew up a plan focusing on effectiveness. I wanted to optimise my influencing skills and improve my interpersonal skills. I also wanted to be more consistent in my work behaviour and increase my confidence.
Why did you choose Roffey Park?
We sourced a number of different courses from various management schools, including Roffey Park. I chose Roffey Park because not only did its course most closely fit my requirements, but more importantly, I had heard great reports from other colleagues who had visited Roffey Park and raved about their experience. This convinced me it would be the best course for me.
What were you expecting before attending the course?
I had no real idea of what the course would entail other than the details provided in the literature. I wanted a chance to learn, experiment and play while building skills that would improve my personal effectiveness at work. One of the beauties is that they tailor the course to match participants' needs so I knew it would match my requirements. Like most people, I was a little nervous and apprehensive at the thought of taking the course with other people. However, the wonderful setting and sensitive staff soon put me at ease.
What was the most valuable thing you learnt on the course?
The key thing was that I learnt about me; about how I feel impacts on other people and how feeling good about yourself is the most important step towards personal effectiveness. The importance of self-esteem at work and outside it was what chimed with me most, as well as the observation that you can never change other people but you can change yourself.
I didn't expect it to make an immediate impact on my day-to-day working life; it's more of an investment that will pay off as my career progresses. In that sense, it is not a magic wand but it has definitely led to a gradual change in how I work and make decisions.
What did you think of Roffey Park's approach?
It is immersive - I spent a week at the fabulous residential centre which really helps you to absorb the training. It also helps illustrate some of the key ideas in the course such as living well and eating well, which then leads to being well. With a spa, gym and pool, not to mention excellent food, I was able to put what I had learned into practice every day. The environment is also very supportive with a well thought out philosophy underpinning the teaching.
The course was challenging but rewarding and was worth it for the epiphanies our group experienced as we learned.
How does it compare with other training you have had?
This was by far the best course I've been on. The Roffey Park tutors running the course are hugely talented; the location supports learning; and the programme was tailored to suit me. The fact that it took not a prescriptive but a collaborative approach really added to its value. I enjoyed it so much that I am looking at other areas for improvement; I also sung its praises to our Personal Development team and since I went to Roffey Park, two colleagues have attended the same course.