Logo: The Lightning Leadership Lab is in bold black text, with a blue lightning bolt to the left. Beneath is the tagline "Grow your leadership, fast" in the same blue as the lightning bolt

First time leading a team?

Does any of this 👇🏻 sound familiar?

You were an exceptional individual contributor—so much so that you were promoted to a leadership role. But suddenly, the rules changed:


  • From peer to boss: You're no longer "one of the team"; you're "management." This shift brings a loss of camaraderie and a sense of loneliness and disconnection.


  • New challenges, no training: You're expected to lead your team and deliver results, but no one trained you how to lead.


  • Imposter thinking: You wonder when your team or boss will figure out that you're making it up as you go.


  • No feedback: You only hear when things go wrong, making it hard to know if you're on the right path.


  • Loneliness and pressure: Old relationships have changed, and new ones haven't formed yet. It's easy to feel isolated.



If any of this resonates with you, The Lightning Leadership Lab can help. It’s designed specifically for you to develop your leadership skills in a supportive environment, learn how to navigate the common challenges faced by new leaders, and build a network of peers who will be your cheerleaders and collaborators throughout your leadership journey.

You are not alone!

If you're recently promoted and feeling the pressure to step up without any formal leadership training, you’re not alone. Most new leaders struggle with the transition from individual contributor to people leader.


You're navigating the complexities of managing people, balancing old relationships with new responsibilities, and probably doing it without any training. But it doesn't have to be this way.


Welcome to The Lightning Leadership Lab, a comprehensive, hands-on programme designed to help you build the competence, confidence, and community you need to thrive as a leader. This is not your typical training course—it’s an interactive, ongoing learning experience that equips you with the tools and strategies you can apply immediately to your leadership role.

The Lightning Leadership Lab's "sweet spot"

The Lightning Leadership Lab is structured around three pillars: competence, confidence, and community. Getting all three in place gets you in the "sweet spot" for effective, sustainable leadership.

  • Competence: Through ten core modules, you’ll learn practical leadership strategies that have been tried and tested by countless other leaders. The tools you gain will help you manage relationships, improve team productivity, and build a foundation for long-term success.
Graphic.  There are three black hand-drawn circles arranged in a Venn diagram. The circles are labelled in blue: top-left "Competence", top-right "Confidence", and bottom "Community". The intersection of all three circles is coloured dark fuschia, with an arrow of the same colour pointing towards it. The arrow is labelled "The Lightning Leadership Lab sweet spot"
  • Confidence: As your competence grows, so will your confidence. You’ll apply what you learn in real-world scenarios, receive feedback, and refine your approach. The supportive environment and mentoring will give you the courage to step into your leadership role with conviction.


  • Community: Leadership can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. You’ll be surrounded by a community of fellow leaders who understand your challenges and will cheer you on. Plus, the online learning community allows you to connect anytime, seek advice, and share successes.

Together, these pillars give you The Lightning Leadership Lab's "sweet spot" - a supportive and engaged community who walk the journey with you as you grow your competence and confidence, leading your team to success.

The Lightning Leadership Lab's "sweet spot"

The Lightning Leadership Lab is structured around three pillars: competence, confidence, and community. Getting all three in place gets you in the "sweet spot" for effective, sustainable leadership.

  • Competence: Through ten core modules, you’ll learn practical leadership strategies that have been tried and tested by countless other leaders. The tools you gain will help you manage relationships, improve team productivity, and build a foundation for long-term success.


  • Confidence: As your competence grows, so will your confidence. You’ll apply what you learn in real-world scenarios, receive feedback, and refine your approach. The supportive environment and mentoring will give you the courage to step into your leadership role with conviction.
  • Community: Leadership can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. You’ll be surrounded by a community of fellow leaders who understand your challenges and will cheer you on. Plus, the online learning community allows you to connect anytime, seek advice, and share successes.
Graphic.  There are three black hand-drawn circles arranged in a Venn diagram. The circles are labelled in blue: top-left "Competence", top-right "Confidence", and bottom "Community". The intersection of all three circles is coloured dark fuschia, with an arrow of the same colour pointing towards it. The arrow is labelled "The Lightning Leadership Lab sweet spot"

Together, these pillars give you The Lightning Leadership Lab's "sweet spot" - a supportive and engaged community who walk the journey with you as you grow your competence and confidence, leading your team to success.

Want free leadership resources?

Sign up to be notified when doors open for The Lightning Leadership Lab and you'll get free access to valuable resources like webinars, tools, templates, and whitepapers to accelerate your leadership success. They're just a taste of what you'll experience in The Lightning Leadership Lab!

What you get in The Lightning Leadership Lab

When you join The Lightning Leadership Lab, you’ll receive a full suite of materials and support:


  • A comprehensive onboarding package including a set of The Strengths Deck cards and matrix, an Emotional Culture Deck pack, and a copy of 'Unleash Your Awesome' by Daria Williamson.


  • A 30-minute individual debrief for your personal strengths using The Strengths Deck.


  • A 90-minute group debrief for your personal values and Big Five personality assessments.


  • Ten interactive leadership modules over the course of a year, tailored for first-time leaders.


  • Monthly live online workshops to practice and apply leadership tools to your work.


  • Personalised feedback, mentoring, and additional resources.


  • Two optional office hours sessions per month for additional support.


  • Access to an online learning community where you can connect with peers, ask questions, get feedback and mentoring, share your successes, wobbles, and wins in a supportive environment.


  • An online library of workshop recordings, templates, and resources to support and extend your learning.


  • Optional 1:1 coaching, available to book as a one-off, or as a discounted package for five sessions.

Client Testimonial

A cartoon star

Lesley Francis-Ziogas

CEO Ngahuia Group (Hannahs, Number One Shoes, Torpedo7)

"“I am thrilled to recommend Daria Williamson for her outstanding work as our Leadership Facilitator over the past 2.5 years. Her expertise and tailored approach have significantly enhanced our leadership skills and fostered a collaborative environment. Daria’s professionalism and genuine passion for leadership have made her an invaluable asset to Ngahuia Group.”

A cartoon star

Client Testimonial

Lesley Francis-Ziogas

CEO Ngahuia Group (Hannahs, Number One Shoes, Torpedo7)

"“I am thrilled to recommend Daria Williamson for her outstanding work as our Leadership Facilitator over the past 2.5 years. Her expertise and tailored approach have significantly enhanced our leadership skills and fostered a collaborative environment. Daria’s professionalism and genuine passion for leadership have made her an invaluable asset to Ngahuia Group.”

How it works

The programme is designed for busy first-time leaders, so it’s structured to fit into your schedule while delivering transformational results. Here’s how it works:

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Pre-work

At the start of each month, you’ll receive videos, articles, and other resources to introduce you to key concepts and tools. This flexible pre-work allows you to absorb the material on your own schedule before the workshop.


20-30mins reading/watching

30-90mins self-guided reflection

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Live Workshops

Mid-month, join a live, interactive workshop where you’ll learn how to apply these concepts to your own team.


These sessions are collaborative and practical—you’ll role-play scenarios, share challenges, and develop actionable plans.


2hr live, action-focused workshop

An icon of a person thinking, with cogs turning above their head

Application & Reflection

The second half of each month is dedicated to applying what you’ve learned. You’ll experiment with new approaches, reflect on your progress, and submit your reflections for personalised feedback from the course leader.


1-2hrs/week experimentation, reflection, and feedback

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Ongoing Support

You’ll have access to two optional “office hours” sessions each month to get extra guidance or discuss specific challenges. Plus, the online learning community is always open for you to ask questions and share experiences.


2 x 60min sessions each month (optional)

Optional 1:1 coaching available (additional costs apply)

Meet your facilitator

Hi, I’m Daria Williamson, and I’m passionate about helping leaders unlock their potential, lead with confidence, and build a supportive community.


Having seen the challenges and downsides of leaders being promoted without formal training, I’ve made it my mission to support first-time leaders with the tools, insights, and built-in support that sets them up for success.


I created The Strengths Deck and wrote Unleash Your Awesome to help leaders tap into their strengths and lead authentically. Through my tailored in-house workshops, and public programmes like The Lightning Leadership Lab, I guide leaders to develop the competence, confidence, and community they need to thrive in their roles.


I believe leadership should be authentic, effective, and fulfilling. I’m excited to help you build the skills and mindset to lead with purpose!

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Client Testimonial

JCW

Former leadership programme participant

“Daria was fantastic, the subjects we covered were deeply explained and Daria had even gone out of her way to help us with ''on hands'' dealings which we were experiencing on the floor, which had given me a new perspective on how to view/tackle things.”

CW

Former leadership programme participant

“I enjoyed the topics relating to how to become better leaders.

I liked the approach taken in teaching and Daria's relatable approach in presenting. I found Daria excellent and have only commendations for her.”

Client Testimonials

A cartoon star

JCW

Former leadership programme participant

“Daria was fantastic, the subjects we covered were deeply explained and Daria had even gone out of her way to help us with ''on hands'' dealings which we were experiencing on the floor, which had given me a new perspective on how to view/tackle things.”

CW

Former leadership programme participant

“I enjoyed the topics relating to how to become better leaders.

I liked the approach taken in teaching and Daria's relatable approach in presenting. I found Daria excellent and have only commendations for her.”

Not your average leadership development programme

I know that you can’t afford to step away from your team for a day or two at a time. And full-day sessions can feel like drinking from a firehose—too much information at once, without the time or space to apply and reflect on what you've learned.


What makes The Lightning Leadership Lab unique is its flipped learning approach* and the ongoing support you receive throughout the year. It breaks learning into manageable, practical steps, so you can immediately put ideas into practice, reflect, and get feedback without falling behind on your day-to-day responsibilities.


Unlike traditional leadership programmes that cram all the learning into a few days, this programme spreads the learning out, so you have time to absorb, apply, reflect, and refine your approach.


And it comes bundled with ongoing support from Daria and your fellow participants. So you can take action and try new approachs, confident that you'll have the feedback and guidance you need to succeed.


You won’t just walk away with a list of generic leadership strategies—you’ll develop a leadership style that is authentic to you, works with your team, and delivers results.

* "Flipped learning" means that you work through articles and videos at your own pace, before joining the live workshop where we focus on applying what you've learned to your team and your workplace.

Investment options

The Lightning Leadership Lab offers two pricing options:


  • Programme Only: NZ$495 + GST onboarding, and NZ$2,150 + GST (lump sum) or NZ$239 + GST/month for ten months.

    GST incl.: $569.25 onboarding, $2,472.50 (lump sum) or $274.85/month


  • 1:1 Coaching + Programme: NZ$495 + GST onboarding, and NZ$3,390 + GST (lump sum) or NZ$369 + GST/month for ten months. Includes 5 x 60-minute one-on-one coaching sessions throughout the year.

    GST incl.: $569.25 onboarding, $3,898.50 (lump sum) or NZ$424.35/month


Group discounts available for bookings of three or more participants.

Want some help to apply for your professional development budget?

I created a handy template you can personalise to request professional development budget to join The Lightning Leadership Lab. Get your copy now! 👇🏻

Ready to Lead with Competence, Confidence, and Community?

The Lightning Leadership Lab is designed to equip you with the skills and support you need to succeed as a leader.


Whether you’re navigating the tricky transition from peer to leader or trying to balance leadership responsibilities with your existing workload, this programme will help you thrive.


Spots are strictly limited to ensure that you get the best experience, and the next cohort kicks off in late January 2025. Don’t miss out—join the waitlist today and get ready to lead with competence, confidence, and community.

Client Testimonial

A cartoon star

Tracey Cunningham

Director, Science And Wellbeing

“Daria is an amazing practitioner, able to lead individuals and teams forward, through the sticky and uncomfortable and into the stuff of real change. As a coach, she is keenly observant, highly skilled and deeply compassionate. She makes you feel like you are her only client. She helps you lift, grow and transform.


She has a great sense for business, and for people. Her deep understanding of the strengths framework means she is able to facilitate organisational and professional development in ways that are truly positive, effective and dynamic. Daria is simply brilliant!”

A cartoon star

Client Testimonial

Tracey Cunningham

Director, Science And Wellbeing

“Daria is an amazing practitioner, able to lead individuals and teams forward, through the sticky and uncomfortable and into the stuff of real change. As a coach, she is keenly observant, highly skilled and deeply compassionate. She makes you feel like you are her only client. She helps you lift, grow and transform.


She has a great sense for business, and for people. Her deep understanding of the strengths framework means she is able to facilitate organisational and professional development in ways that are truly positive, effective and dynamic. Daria is simply brilliant!”

Got questions?

Who is this programme for?

This programme is designed for first-time and early-career leaders who are stepping into leadership roles, often without formal training. It’s ideal for those who want to develop the skills, confidence, and support network needed to lead effectively.

How do I sign up?

The first step is to book your 'Chemistry Check' call to make sure that the programme is right for you. That will give you a chance to get to know Daria, and ask any questions you have about the programme. She can also chat to your manager, Learning & Development or HR teams.


Once your application is accepted and fees paid, you'll receive your onboarding pack and all the info you need to succeed!

What does the programme cover?

The programme covers essential leadership topics across ten modules, including communication, team dynamics, decision-making, and personal development.


You’ll learn key concepts through pre-work and apply them in live workshops, receiving feedback and support throughout the journey.

How will this programme help me improve my leadership skills?

The Lightning Leadership Lab offers practical tools and strategies to enhance your leadership effectiveness. By focusing on real-world application, you’ll learn how to handle common leadership challenges with competence and confidence while building a supportive network of peers.

Is the programme online or in-person?

This programme is fully online, and a lot of it is self-paced. There are course materials available to read and watch through our web portal (systeme.io), along with monthly live Zoom workshops where we apply the material you are learning, and ongoing email support and feedback from Daria throughout the programme.

How much time is required?

The programme is designed to fit in with your busy schedule. At the start of each month (from Feb to Nov), you'll receive the pre-work material. You'll have up to two weeks to read/watch it, and think about how it applies to your team and work. In the middle of the month, there's a two-hour live Zoom workshop, where you'll practice the skills with your peers and develop an action plan for how you will implement the skills in your work.


The balance of the month is for experimenting, reflecting, and receiving feedback from Daria. The total time required per month is expected to be around 6-8 hours, most of which is self-paced.

What are the payment options?

You can pay via bank transfer to a New Zealand bank account, or by credit card (with a small convenience fee). The programme costs NZ$495 + GST for onboarding, plus with NZ$2,150 + GST in a lump sum or NZ$239 + GST per month (ten monthly payments).


If you wish to add on 5 x 60min 1:1 coaching sessions with Daria, this is available for an additional lump-sum payment of NZ$1,240 + GST, or an extra NZ$130 + GST per month.

How long does the programme run for?

The programme starts in late January 2025 with onboarding calls and individual/group debriefs. The ten modules are delivered from February to November. We'll wrap with a celebration call in early December.

Is this programme suitable for first-time leaders?

Yes! The Lightning Leadership Lab is specifically designed for new leaders who are navigating the challenges of their first leadership role. You’ll gain practical tools and strategies tailored to help you build competence, confidence, and community.

Is this programme suitable for experienced leaders?

No, this programme is tailored for first-time and early-career leaders. If you’re an experienced leader, you’ll likely benefit more from 1:1 coaching or a tailored in-house workshop. Please contact Daria for more information on personalised support.

Can I use the principles in this programme for any leadership role?

Absolutely. The principles and tools taught in this programme are applicable to a wide range of leadership roles. You’ll develop foundational leadership skills that can be adapted and applied in various settings.


You might even find that the skills you learn in The Lightning Leadership Lab make you a better colleague, spouse, family member, and friend!

Is any special software required?

You’ll need internet access for the course portal (systeme.io; your profile will be set up for you when you join the programme) and Zoom for the live workshops. All programme communication will be managed via email and the course portal. All the technology is designed to be easy to use, and give you a great learning experience.

What is your refund policy?

We offer a no-questions-asked refund policy within 21 calendar days of the programme commencing (until 21st Feb 2025). All payments, less the NZ$495 + GST onboarding fee, will be refunded within 10 business days. After 21 days, no refunds are permitted, but you may transfer your membership to someone else, subject to a new NZ$495 + GST onboarding fee.

Is my information confidential?

All participants are required to sign an agreement to maintain confidentiality around all personal and commercially sensitive information shared during the programme, even once the programme has completed. Breaching this agreement may result in termination of membership without a refund.


If your organisation is funding the programme, confirmation of the number of sessions you have attended and reflections you have submitted will be provided upon request. The content of your contributions and reflections will not be shared with anyone, without your prior written permission.

Do I get a certificate?

All participants who complete the full programme will receive a certificate confirming their successful participation.


If your organisation would like to verify your completion of the programme, Daria will provide this by email or telephone call. As per the confidentiality agreement, none of the content of your contributions or reflections will be shared with anyone, without your prior written permission.

What if I am sick or go on holiday?

If you can't make a live workshop session, they will be recorded so you can watch later (don't worry, they'll only be visible to programme participants!).


All the rest of the required programme work is available as self-paced modules, able to be completed as best fits your schedule. I recommend setting aside 1-2 hours per week for this.


And you can use the office hours sessions to ask questions and build your understanding.


Join the waitlist!

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Join The Lightning Leadership Lab waitlist!

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