Emotional Change Strategy Course
Practical tools for leading through uncertainty, pressure, and transition
Change is no longer occasional - it’s constant.
AI shifts, economic pressure, restructuring, workforce challenges, changing customer expectations, and increasing demands on leaders are creating uncertainty for businesses everywhere.
But the biggest challenge in times of change is rarely just strategy. It’s people - including ourselves as leaders.
How people feel affects communication, performance, decision-making, resilience, engagement, and culture. And whether you lead a team, a business, or simply yourself through uncertainty, the ability to navigate emotions and relationships well has never been more important.
Perfect for:
Business Owners
Leaders & Managers
HR Professionals
Consultants & Coaches
Solopreneurs
Anyone wanting to strengthen their leadership through change,
This practical and highly interactive workshop will help you:
Lead more effectively through uncertainty and pressure
Better understand emotional responses to change
Improve communication and reduce resistance
Build trust, resilience, and connection
Navigate difficult conversations with greater confidence
Create a healthier, more adaptable workplace culture
Using proven emotional leadership tools and frameworks, you’ll gain practical strategies you can apply immediately in your business, leadership, and everyday interactions.
Perfect for:
Business Owners
Leaders & Managers
HR Professionals
Consultants & Coaches
Solopreneurs
Anyone wanting to strengthen their leadership through change,
Participants will also receive certification as an ECD Emotional Change Strategy Specialist.
Focus:
Help leaders recognise & shape the emotions needed to navigate organisational change effectively.
Approach:
Collaborative & Inclusive
Benefits:
Gain insights into managing emotions during change, fostering resilience, and maintaining employee engagement.
The Emotional Culture Deck (ECD)
The ECD is a simple yet powerful tool designed to help leaders and teams discuss and shape the emotional culture of their workplace. Unlike traditional culture tools that focus solely on values and behaviours, The ECD uncovers the feelings and emotions that influence how people work and interact.
Join Cathy Sheppard from BSI People Skills on this course and become a certified Elephant Rider Emotional Leadership Specialist!
Date: Next course date 7th July 2026
Time: 9:30am - 4:00pm
Location: Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce
Level 3/15 Daly Street, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt 5010
Investment: $550+GST
MEET THE FOUNDER & CEO
Hi, I'm Cathy!
I am a certified facilitator and trainer of the 5 Behaviors of a Cohesive Team, EverythingDiSC, Wealth Dynamics, Emotional Culture Deck, and the Incredible Years programmes. These are all proven tools for enhancing communication, collaboration, and performance with people from all backgrounds.
As an international speaker, facilitator, coach, and mentor, I have worked with a wide range of clients across various industries, from professional services and education, to tradies, government and financial services. I've worked with people aged from 0 to 80, in 6 different countries in person, and many more online.
My mission is to transform businesses and organisations by developing 'Leaders that Work, Teams that Work, and Workplaces that Work'- Culture Excellence in organisations.
Why? Because having an amazing workplace culture changes
EVERYTHING!
Who should attend?
Change Management Specialists
Success in change initiatives depends on emotional buy-in.
This course helps you understand and influence the emotions that drive resistance or acceptance, enabling you to create strategies that remove emotional roadblocks and support lasting transformation.
HR Professionals
& Team Leads
If you oversee workplace culture, you play a key role in managing the emotional impact of change.
This course provides practical strategies to shape emotional experiences, ensuring smoother transitions, higher engagement, and alignment with organisational goals.
Organisational Leaders & Managers driving change
Whether you’re a senior executive, mid-level manager, or team lead, this course equips you with the tools to navigate and influence emotional responses to change.
You’ll learn strategies to foster adaptability, maintain motivation, and guide teams through transitions with clarity and confidence.
Anyone Looking to Improve Emotional Intelligence & Leadership Skills
Emotional intelligence is at the heart of effective leadership, especially in times of change.
Whether you’re a new leader, coach, or consultant, this course strengthens your ability to lead with resilience, empathy, and confidence—helping others embrace and thrive through change.
Ready to grab this learning?
Course parts & tools
PART 1: Leading Self
Learn how to use the ECD Personal Change Conversation Guide and ECD Know Yourself Through Change Handbook to reflect on past periods of change. Create a personal plan for navigating current or upcoming changes.
PART 2: Leading People
Use the ECD Change Leadership Canvas and workshop to define desired and undesired emotions during change. Identify leadership behaviours and actions to support teams. Engage in group activities to develop emotional strategies for leading people through change.
PART 3: Leading Teams
Develop skills to facilitate team workshops using the ECD Exploring Team Canvas, Workshop, and ECD Change Rituals Canvas. Learn to create and implement change rituals that bring people together, fostering a supportive
and emotionally connected team environment.
Part 4: Reflect & Review
Use Course Reflection Questions and Post-Course Challenge Overview to reflect on key learnings and discuss how to apply these tools in real-life situations.
Follow up session online 8 weeks later.
Testimonials:
Empowering and
Engaging Experience
“Practical, engaging and transformative. Can’t wait to use in multiple settings and ways. Feel empowered and curious to continue this journey into emotional culture. So well supported by interesting research and good pace.”
Expanding Our
Skills and Tools
“For me, this course was a great catalyst for thinking about how I approach workplace culture with the various teams I interact with. At
the end of it I felt as though I had spent valuable time thinking about
something very important.
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”
Building Confidence in Emotional Leadership
“This course taught me so much about working with our emotions to navigate situations. I am now confident to use some of the tools I learned with my team and my wider organisation, and I know they will help us to move through change better as a collective.”
Why ECD Specialist Courses are Unique:
These courses offer a unique blend of practical application, expert insight, and community engagement, all focused on mastering the emotions that shape organisational success. Whether you’re new to emotional culture or looking to deepen your expertise, ECD Specialist Courses provide a comprehensive pathway to enhance your leadership impact and drive meaningful change in your organisation.
Why choose ECD Specialist Courses?
Riders&elephants ECD Specialist Courses stand out for several compelling reasons, making them the perfect choice for anyone looking to enhance their leadership capabilities and foster a positive emotional culture within
their organisation:
Practical Skills:
Gain actionable strategies and tools that you can apply immediately to improve leadership and emotional culture within your team or organisation. Our courses are designed to provide hands-on, practical training that goes beyond theory, equipping you with real-world skills that drive results.
Expert Guidance:
Learn from experienced Certified Consultants who bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and real-life experience to the table. Our instructors are seasoned professionals who understand the nuances of managing emotions in diverse workplace settings and can guide you through the complexities of emotional culture with insight and clarity.
Engaging Experience:
Participate in interactive sessions designed to be both informative and engaging. Our courses are structured to foster active participation and lively discussion, ensuring that you not only learn but also connect with others, share experiences, and build valuable networks.
Continued Support:
Benefit from post-course resources, including coaching calls, access to a vibrant community of peers, and ongoing support to help you implement what you’ve learned. You’ll have the opportunity to continue learning, sharing, and growing with others who are equally committed to building a positive emotional culture in their workplaces.