Most leadership training teaches skills without building the awareness that makes them stick. Paula Donnan Advisory explains why a genuinely effective leadership programme for managers goes deeper than theory, what to look for, and why so many well-intentioned programmes quietly fail to change behaviour.

A manager who does not understand their own patterns will usually lead on autopilot. Under pressure, that might mean becoming overly controlling, avoiding conflict, over-explaining, or making rushed decisions to relieve discomfort.