Leadership Training for Software and Engineering Teams

Leading Technical Teams

Evidence-based leadership development for technical managers, team leads and engineers. Formerly Code to Culture.

This programme builds the people-leadership skills technical experts need to manage teams with clarity, confidence and purpose. To find out more…

Schedule a 15 minute call

In-person workshops | Live virtual sessions | Online learning content

Leading Technical Teams is trusted by leaders at:

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Why leadership can be different in technical environments

Technical experts thrive on precision, problem-solving, and depth of expertise. However, leading people demands a different skillset — one centred on communication, delegation, and trust.

This technical leadership programme bridges that gap.

It equips technical managers with the tools, techniques, and practical approaches to lead with confidence, develop others, and build teams that deliver and collaborate effectively.

Grounded in evidence and shaped for real-world application.

Click here to see the full Leading Tech Teams programme content.

What participants gain

Participants consistently report that they:

  • Gain confidence to lead people, as well as projects

  • Use practical tools to build trust, clarity, and accountability

  • Hold performance conversations more effectively

  • Give and receive effective feedback

  • Collaborate better across technical and non-technical teams

  • Understand their leadership strengths and blind spots

“Working with Kate over the last year has been nothing short of transformative.”

“Her approach has helped me to achieve really significant changes in my leadership skills, relationships and my overall toolkit for tackling leadership challenges.”

Dr Pete Wood, Director of Product Management, Cambridge Intelligence

“This programme proved to be an invaluable turning point.”

“As a Director responsible for a large, fast-moving team, I reached a point where I needed to reassess how I was showing up as a leader. I would wholeheartedly recommend working with Kate to any leader seeking meaningful and practical leadership development.”

A Vantrajek, Technical Director, IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards)

How the programme works

Leadership development needs to be practical, evidence-based, and easy to apply.

This engineering management training offers flexible options that fit real-world demands:

In-person workshops

interactive sessions focused on practical learning, collaboration and stronger connections AND / OR…

Live virtual sessions

Live, engaging, facilitator-led sessions delivered online.

Online learning hub

Research-based resources to support reflection and action between the sessions.

Coaching or diagnostics

Optional addition for deeper personal insight and lasting change.

Click here for the full 'Leading Technical Teams' programme content

Who it’s for

This technical leadership course for tech leads and engineering managers is ideal for those who:

  • Lead software, engineering, operational or DevOps teams

  • Manage projects or functions that rely on collaboration across disciplines

  • Would like to strengthen people skills while maintaining technical excellence

  • Manage operational or professional services teams - mixed groups work well

"Since our work with you, team performance has noticeably improved, and our employee engagement scores have increased considerably."

Vicky Garfitt, Head of Data Activation, Kingfisher plc

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Book a 15 minute call to find out more

Our approach

Many engineers and analysts want to understand what works — and why.

Our approach draws on behavioural science and evidence-based practice, helping participants translate insight into daily leadership habits. Every concept is relevant, practical, and tested in real technical environments.

Below are some recent clients’ experiences from the Leading Technical Teams Programme

Client experiences

"Managers and colleagues have commented that the skills and knowledge gained from your programmes and coaching has enabled them to get the best out of people, improved their leadership skills and transformed their understanding of emotional intelligence and interactions with others."

Maggie Brown, Head of HR, Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (formerly part of Cambridge University)

"This programme has made an outstanding impact on leadership capacity at the Rosalind Franklin Institute, and we’ve seen firsthand how it has helped our leaders grow... And all the tools and models used are practical and evidence-based, which has been crucial in establishing credibility."

Reshma Roy, Head of People, Rosalind Franklin Institute, Oxford

“This programme was unlike any other I have been on and it has been nothing short of transformational for me! I am weaving aspects of it into all areas of my life with great effect… I am noticeably more confident and self-aware, and feel empowered to develop my career.”

Dr R Cavanagh, Ecosystems Scientist, British Antarctic Survey

Stronger leadership. Better collaboration. Sustainable growth.

Talk to us about how Leading Technical Teams can be tailored to support your teams and your organisation.

Course structure at a glance

In-person course (4-days)

    • Leading and managing your team

    • Team culture - boosting motivation, emotional intelligence and psychological safety

    • Collaborating effectively across teams

    • Building inclusive and diverse teams

    • Personal reflection and action planning

    • Practical tools to help your team perform, take ownership and grow.

    • Building competence and confidence in your team

    • Setting goals that work

    • Coaching as a leadership skill

    • The 4-Step GROW Coaching Model

    • Skills Practice

    • Personal reflection and action planning

    • Challenging conversations in practice

    • Staying steady under pressure

    • Preparing for your own challenging conversation

    • Extended skills practice on challenging conversations

    • Influencing styles

    • Personal reflection and action planning

    • Strategic thinking for you and your team

    • Supporting your team through change 

    • Widening your influence and network

    • Supporting wellbeing in yourself and your team 

    • Action planning 

Virtual delivery (six 2-hour modules)

    • Core skills to lead with confidence and create a motivated, well-managed team.

    • Key leadership behaviours, skills and knowledge required in a STEM environment

    • Building a flexible leadership style

    • Engagement and emotional intelligence

    • The importance of psychological safety to team performance

    • Practical tools to develop your team and boost high performance

    • Setting clear goals

    • Giving and receiving feedback using the CEEC model

    • Building confidence and capability across the team

    • Using a 4-stage model to enable problem-solving and ownership

    • Increase collaboration, effective communication and influence within and across teams.‍ ‍

    • Developing clearer communication and reducing silos

    • Developing a flexible influencing style

    • Understanding intention vs behaviour: how you come across

    • Communicating with impact and effectiveness in- person and online

    • Strategies to handle tough talks with confidence and clarity

    • Different types of difficult conversations

    • Tools and techniques to apply to a range of situations

    • Handling challenging emotions and behaviours

    • Preparing for your own challenging conversation

    • Practical strategies to guide your team through uncertainty and create a healthy, sustainable working culture

    • Identifying what is required of a leader during change and/or organisational growth

    • Taking your team with you and voiding common pitfalls

    • Practical ways to support your own and your team’s wellbeing

    • Building confidence to have wellbeing conversations

    • Tools to shape your direction, grow your network, and make an impact in a STEM environment

    • Using the 4 stages of the strategic management process

    • Understanding where you are now, where you’d like to get to - and how to get there

    • Navigating the political landscape and influencing effectively

    • Building effective networks

SEE FULL COURSE CONTENT HERE

Contact me to find a convenient time or Schedule a 15 mins meeting. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Your choice of delivery format - in-person and/or live virtual sessions - supported by research-based materials, with optional access to one-to-one coaching or diagnostics

  • Usually four days in person or six 2-hour virtual sessions.

  • Yes. It’s designed for people leading others for the first time, as well as those who have more experience. All our programmes are tailored to the needs and levels of the participants.

  • Yes. Each programme can be shaped to fit your goals and culture.

  • Sessions are practical, discussion-led and built around real challenges in technical teams and environments. We include scenarios and case studies from technical environments and software teams to make the learning relevant, practical and ready to apply from day one.

  • Yes, absolutely. This is very common and the mix works well, enabling shared understanding and collaboration.

Next Steps

If you’d like to explore how this leadership training for technical teams could support your organisation, schedule a short call with Kate.