Inclusive Leadership Development in Action: April at Synthosys
- synthosysltd
- May 1
- 5 min read
April arrived quietly—and yet, it unfolded into one of our most connected and enriching months this year.
Lakeside Encounters: Desenzano del Garda
This April, we had the joy of returning to Desenzano del Garda—a place that isn’t just beautiful, but deeply familiar. Nestled between meetings and professional commitments, we stayed with family, enjoyed home-cooked meals, and recharged by the lake. It was the perfect mix of work and personal grounding—reminding us that belonging and purpose aren’t separate threads but can be woven together.
One of the key highlights was participating in the Forum delle Imprese – AREA 12, held on 9 April. This inspiring event focused on innovation, future-focused business models, and the importance of creating spaces where companies, institutions, and professionals come together to co-design meaningful transformation. With over 300 participants and a strong presence from the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, it was energising to hear from leaders tackling the same systemic challenges we work on—from education to sustainability, well-being to digital transition.
Most importantly, we began sowing the seeds for future collaborations in Italy. We met professionals who share our vision for workplace culture—people working in health, education, and business sectors, all eager to create deeper, more inclusive ways of leading. A few conversations have already blossomed into follow-up meetings, and we’re excited to see where this path leads. Synthosys in Italy? It’s on the horizon. Here’s the view from our Italian ‘office’—not a bad place to get inspired!
Inclusive Leadership Development for Women: A Room Full of Insight and Intention
One of the most energising moments of April came as Vanessa facilitated the InPD Women’s Leadership Programme—an experience that brought together six highly motivated women, each ready to reflect, grow, and lead with greater awareness.
Across the course, these leaders-in-the-making explored not just the practical aspects of leadership, but the real questions:
How do we lead in systems still quietly shaped by masculine-coded values?
How do we honour emotion, navigate conflict, and create clarity—without sacrificing authenticity?
The atmosphere in the room was thoughtful and warm, charged with curiosity and courage. Conversations went deep, quickly. Each woman brought her story, her questions, and her hopes for doing things differently—not just for herself, but for the teams and cultures she influences.
And the feedback? It reflected the depth of connection that was felt. Delegates described Vanessa as engaging, knowledgeable, professional, and incredibly helpful. There were perfect scores across the board—10 out of 10 for knowledge, presentation, and helpfulness. One participant simply wrote, “amazing.”
But more than compliments, what stood out was the sense of impact: a shared belief that the course offered not only insight but practical tools to take back to the workplace.
These themes—navigating power structures, leading with emotional intelligence, and embracing systemic awareness—are exactly what we continue to explore in our Women in Leadership Supervision group. You can join us here if you’re curious to continue the journey.
We also run our own inclusive leadership development course at Synthosys, designed around the same core values of reflection, cultural awareness, and personal alignment. Curious to learn more? You can download the brochure right here!
HR Forum – From Burnout to Breakthrough: A New Lens on People Development
At the end of the month, we delivered our session at the East Midlands Chamber HR Forum titled: “From Burnout to Breakthrough: Rethinking People Development with the ROGUE Approach.”
In the space of an hour, we walked through the cultural blind spots that often sit beneath the surface of burnout. Using real-life examples and our signature ROGUE framework, we reframed how organisations think about mental health—not as an individual weakness to fix, but as a cultural signal to listen to.
What followed was powerful. The atmosphere shifted—curiosity took over. People stayed engaged, offered personal reflections, and lingered afterwards to share how the session had reframed their thinking. It was clear that something resonated. Not just our words, but the way we opened a door to looking at things differently. There was energy, empathy, and a sense that this conversation had been overdue.
Our Articles – Coming Soon!
We’ve also been collaborating with the Chamber behind the scenes, and we’re excited to share that one of our articles will be featured in next month’s issue of their magazine. In it, we explore the evolving relationship between technology and culture, focusing on the psychological and emotional impact of AI adoption in the workplace. As innovation accelerates, we reflect on what gets left behind—attention, connection, and human nuance—and how organisations can navigate this shift more consciously.
This piece is one of four articles we’ve been working on. Another article will be published soon in Edge, the journal of the Institute of Leadership, where we explore the practical application of our 4C assessment—how it helps teams and leaders decode hidden cultural dynamics and act with greater clarity and cohesion. We’re also finalising a peer-reviewed publication that delves into the theoretical foundations of the 4C model itself, offering a rigorous perspective on the research and systems thinking behind our approach. And of course, our article on leadership legacy—already published in Edge—continues to spark reflection. It explores the often-unseen emotional and cultural legacies leaders leave behind and will be featured alongside our photo in an upcoming edition.
These articles are not just milestones for us—they’re part of a wider commitment to shaping conversations that matter, bridging organisational insight with emotional depth, and making space for leadership that’s thoughtful, inclusive, and future-ready.
A Step Forward: Vanessa's Nomination for the Enterprising Women Award
We began the month with an exciting milestone: Dr Vanessa Pozzali submitted her nomination for the Enterprising Women Award, hosted by the East Midlands Chamber. It felt like a natural moment to pause and acknowledge the everyday efforts that go into building inclusive, emotionally intelligent leadership across sectors. Recognition, for us, isn’t about the spotlight—it’s about momentum, visibility, and the power of representation. Wish her luck as we take this next step forward together!
What’s Coming Up
April reminded us that transformation doesn’t always begin with big change. Sometimes it starts in a room—around a table, on a lakeshore, or inside a Zoom window—where people are willing to ask better questions, listen differently, and leave with more than they arrived with.
Let’s keep asking. Let’s keep listening.
See you in May.
