Staff Promoted to Leadership Role - Thanks to Leadership Programme.

Susana didn’t just complete Auckland Council’s the Introduction to Team Leadership programme; she used it to step up. Within weeks, she applied the tools on the floor, lifted her confidence under pressure, and turned clearer communication into real results. That growth was noticed. When the next opportunity opened, Susana won the role and was promoted to Shift Manager, leading a team of eight and keeping production lines moving with calm, consistent leadership. Today she credits the programme for giving her practical frameworks and the self belief to draw firm boundaries, set expectations, and guide her team with clarity.

Q: What were some of the key things you learned or gained from the course?

Susana names the big shifts first. “Confidence, especially in decision making under pressure,” “emotional intelligence,” and “communication skills on how to deal with my team.” She also opens up about a challenge she faced before the course. Leading people older than her felt difficult, especially from a cultural perspective.

“There’s a culture outside of work and there’s a work culture.” That insight helped her draw the line with respect. It “pushed me to set the boundaries and push my emotions aside and do what needs to be done as a shift manager.” She adds that “there was quite a bit of money saving talk as well in the course which helped me a lot.”

Q: How did you apply your learnings from the course in your workplace?

“I applied it on the floor.” Day to day she “just kept working hard, coming to work every day, making sure I am performing my best.” She learned from the programme to observe leaders and not be afraid to ask questions. “I observed other shift managers at the time, how they were doing their job, and what I can learn from them.” She sought feedback. “I would ask some of the managers if I needed to improve something, what I can do, if I were to become a shift manager.” The result was a clearer direction for her team. “I communicated with the team” and “pushed my emotions aside and did what needed to be done.”

Q: In what ways has the course supported your career growth?

The programme arrived while she was preparing for the next step. “It was offered to all of the shift managers and 2ICs… I knew it was a very good opportunity since I wanted to become a shift manager one day.” She used the tools immediately. “I took some of what I learned from the course and I applied it on the floor. When another opportunity came up they thought I did really well when I took on some of the learnings.”

Q: How has your financial wellbeing changed?

“I am the only working person in our family and my husband looks after our kids.” Before the course, more income brought more pressure. “As Samoan we have lots of fa'alavelave.… we thought since we have a lot more money now, it could mean that we can spend it on the extended family.” 

The course reframed her priorities. “It gave me the idea of providing for my own family first.” She and her husband set firm goals. “We really set a goal of spending less on our extended family because before we would just give when they ask, even if it means we struggle. But now it is not like that anymore.” The results followed. “I paid off two debts. One was 5 grand and the other was 10… it was not long really, I managed to pay it off in half a year.”

Q: What are your hopes for the future—what is next for you?

Her motivation is clear. “I have kids… I need to set some goals.” “I have four kids.” Looking ahead she says, “I just hope to keep growing personally and professionally. I am looking forward for the next opportunity to come along. One day, I want to be a production manager, a more higher manager.”