Sturgeon to teach women to lead under pressure during masterclass

Nicola Sturgeon will teach women from around the world how to lead under pressure in a new masterclass launching next year.

The former first minister of Scotland will deliver a full day of teaching in Edinburgh in January for her Leadership Under Pressure: Lessons for Women in Power class.

The organisers said Ms Sturgeon, Scotland’s longest-serving and sole female first minister, will draw on her eight years in office “to show women in politics and business how to hold their ground when the stakes are highest”.

Participants are expected to learn how pressure shapes leadership at every level, in the decisions leaders make, how they deal with others, and “extra scrutiny women often face”.

The masterclass will explore “how political and institutional decisions are really made, the difference between formal authority and informal influence, and how to build coalitions and win over people who fundamentally disagree with you”.

It will cover negotiation and compromise and how to maintain relationships through disagreement.

It will also examine the particular pressures on women leaders, including “establishing credibility in powerful environments, exercising authority where women are often judged more harshly, and carrying the responsibility of decisions with genuine consequences”.

Ms Sturgeon is the first leader announced for the Corridors of Power course, a five-day leadership programme created by The Power Diaspora Forum (TPDF) to “connect women to capital, influence and decision-making power”.

The website appears not to show the price of the class.

The organisers behind the course say the programme will also feature several former prime ministers and other global leaders.

Ms Sturgeon said: “We need more women in leadership across all walks of life. However, in our traditionally male-dominated world, women aspiring to or holding positions of power face unique challenges.

“I am delighted to be taking part in the Corridors of Power TPDF Masterclass to help a new generation of female leaders overcome these challenges.

“I am looking forward to sharing the skills and experiences I gained over many years of political leadership, and as well as an insight into the lessons I learned along the way.”

Veenoo Sharma, a Scottish entrepreneur and founder of The Power Diaspora Forum, said: “Corridors of Power is built on a simple idea: who better to teach women about leadership and power than former first ministers, prime ministers and leaders who have actually led countries?

“These are people who have made decisions at the highest level, navigated crisis, scrutiny and challenging circumstances, and carried the responsibility that comes with leading a nation.

“Bringing that lived experience directly to women is incredibly powerful.

“At TPDF, we believe women should be empowered through experience, not simply through discussion, and Nicola Sturgeon embodies exactly what this programme is about.”