THE COLLOQUIUM
6
Days
2
Moderators
1
Speaker
1
Performance
1
Dinner
20
Peers
35-40 Hours
Pre-Reading
Small Group
Conversation
THE COLLOQUIUM
The Cranlana Programme is an independent not-for-profit organisation dedicated to developing the leadership capabilities of Australia’s private, public and community sector executives. Our programmes are designed to challenge, inspire and foster the critical thinking required to lead in today’s uncertain times.
Our Approach
All Cranlana courses deploy a distinct model of shared inquiry, where our moderators guide the discussion of ideas raised in selected philosophical, economic and cultural texts. It is an intense and immersive experience. Groups are limited to 20, allowing for extensive engagement in the exploration of ideas and beliefs as the conversation evolves throughout the duration of each programme. The goal is not to provide a blueprint for right action. Rather, participants come to their own conclusions and, through dialogue, access new ways of thinking about their challenges.
The central activity of the Cranlana Programme is the Colloquium, an intensive six-day course designed for senior executives from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. It offers a rare opportunity for participants to reflect upon the good society and issues critical to the theory and practice of effective leadership.
'Because of my participation in Cranlana's Executive Colloquium, I have a much greater appreciation of the broader issues influencing decision-making and will be able to make better judgements.'
Major General Rick Burr DSC AM MVO, Deputy Chief of Army Australian Army
THE PURPOSE
The Colloquium aims to enhance leadership capabilities and provide frameworks for complex decision-making. It does this by tackling the vital question that has captured thinkers and philosophers for millennia: how should we live together?
Participants engage with ideas raised by the critical philosophical and economic texts that have influenced society from Classical to contemporary times. Guided by skilled moderators, the powerful concepts contained within these writings are teased out and debated in an evolving round-table discussion. It is a process of creative exploration, purposefully designed to stimulate new and adaptive thinking among attendees.
OBJECTIVES
- Comprehensively reflect on the role of leadership and ethics in a confidential and respectful environment
- Consider the values and principles underpinning Australia’s liberal democracy and the practical application of these in a public policy context
- Examine the tensions and trade-offs between notions of community, prosperity, liberty, equality and sustainability in decision-making
- Enhance the capability of leaders to exercise informed, ethical and effective judgement
PREPARATION
The Colloquium is a significant undertaking. The programme packs a substantial amount into its six-day duration. In preparation, participants are given the collection of edited texts for reading ahead of the course. These are delivered four weeks prior to commencement of the Colloquium and take approximately 30 hours to complete.
BENEFITS
Participating in the Colloquium is a personal and professional investment. Alumni regularly report a heightened clarity around their own beliefs and a strengthened sense of purpose and resilience. This flows on professionally to their organisation through enhanced strategic thinking, a more critical and informed approach to decision-making, improved relationships with stakeholders, staff and boards, and a better understanding of their organisation and industry’s role in the good society.
PROGRAMMES
There are a number of iterations of the Colloquium offered throughout the year and around the country. Alongside the Executive Colloquia held in Melbourne and Perth, which draw together leaders from a cross section of industries, the Cranlana Programme provides tailored colloquia to executives within the public service in Canberra and Melbourne. We also deliver private colloquia to organisations and departments upon request.
THE EXECUTIVE COLLOQUIUM
Melbourne & Perth
The Executive Colloquium is held in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
It is the Cranlana Programme’s most established course, designed for people of influence operating in environments of competing priorities, time pressures and under intense scrutiny. Participants come from a variety of sections of society and bring their diverse experiences and informed perspectives to the conversations.
Executive Colloquium is suited to:
CEOs, Chairs and Senior Executives of Private/NFP organisations.
Government Levels:
FEDERAL: Deputy Secretary, Secretary, SES 3
VIC: E01 & Deputy Secretary
NSW: E03, Executive and Deputy Secretary
ACT: Deputy Secretary
SA: CEO, SEC, Deputy Secretary
TAS: SEC, Deputy Secretary
If only every leader in Australia could do the Colloquium – an antidote that would strengthen our collective leadership.
Suzette Corr, Group Executive People and Culture, Transurban
PUBLIC SECTOR PROGRAMMES
The Cranlana Programme offers colloquia specifically designed to build leadership capabilities within the public sector. These programmes mirror the flagship Executive Colloquium, with a focus on honing the judgement required to respond to the complex and multifaceted challenges of public service. They offer participants an opportunity to engage with peers in further developing their capacities for good governance and the ethical decision-making critical to Australia’s future.
AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC SECTOR COLLOQUIUM
Canberra
These tailored programmes are designed for public sector executives involved in navigating complex, multifaceted challenges with varied and competing stakeholders. They offer participants an opportunity to engage with peers in further developing their capacities for good governance and the ethical decision-making critical to Australia’s future.
Held twice yearly in Canberra, the Australian Public Sector Colloquium is open to senior public servants from all federal, state and local government departments and agencies.
Australian Public Sector Colloquium is suited
to Government Executives at these levels:
FEDERAL: SES1/2
VIC: EO2/3
NSW: EO1/2
ACT: SO Grade A/B
SA: SAES 1/2
QLD: SES 2/3
‘Cranlana gave me the opportunity for deep reflection on my prejudices and assumptions, thought patterns and actions. It was one of the most rewarding and intellectually stimulating things I have ever done.’
Professor Andrew Vann, Vice-Chancellor and President, Charles Sturt University
FUTURE PUBLIC SECTOR LEADERS COLLOQUIUM
INTERMEDIA ADVANCED
Melbourne
The Future Public Sector Leaders Colloquium is held at Gardens House in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens four times a year. It is open to mid-career public servants from all federal, state and local government departments and agencies.
Intermedia Advanced Colloquium is suited
to Public Servants at these levels:
FEDERAL: EL2
VIC: Level 6/7
NSW: Level 10/11
ACT: SO Grade C
SA: MAS 2/3
QLD: SO 2/3, SES1
FUTURE PUBLIC SECTOR LEADERS COLLOQUIUM
INTERMEDIA
Melbourne
The Future Public Sector Leaders Colloquium is held at Gardens House in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens. It is designed for high performing individuals from both the private and public sector, in the early stages of their career as a leader. Public servants can be from all federal, state and local government departments and agencies.
Intermedia Colloquium is suited
to Public Servants at these levels:
FEDERAL: EL1, 6+7 Leadership
VIC: Level 4/5
NSW: Level 8/9
ACT: ASO 6
SA: MAS 1
QLD: SO 1
‘I think about the conversations I had at Cranlana every day.’
Julian Burnside AO, QC Barrister
ENQUIRE
If you have questions, or if you would like more information about the Cranlana Programme, please contact us on (03) 9827 2660.
“We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”
Aristotle (384-322 BCE)