IMSERV is a leading provider of data and metering services operating in a fast-paced, technically complex environment. With a growing leadership population navigating increasing change and organisational complexity, the business recognised the need to invest in a structured, consistent approach to leadership development – one that would build capability across the cohort while strengthening the connections between leaders themselves.
IMSERV needed a programme that would go beyond skills training. The goal was to develop leaders who could manage performance with confidence, coach their teams effectively, communicate with clarity, and lead through change – while also building the trust and psychological safety needed to perform as a cohesive leadership group.
With leaders spread across the business, creating shared language, shared frameworks and a genuine sense of team was just as important as the learning itself.
Specific goals included:
Zestfor designed and delivered the IMSERV Leadership Essentials Programme – a structured, blended programme spanning seven sessions. Led by Julia, the programme combined online and face-to-face delivery, using Insights Discovery® as the foundation for self-awareness and team understanding.
Crucially, the programme was designed not just to develop individual capability but to build connection. By bringing leaders together as a cohort – with Julia as an external facilitator holding the space – the programme created the psychological safety needed for honest conversation, peer challenge and genuine trust to develop alongside the formal learning.
The programme was structured around three interconnected themes:
1. Self-Awareness & Leadership Identity
Grounding leaders in a deep understanding of their own style, values and impact, using Insights Discovery® to build the self-awareness needed for adaptive, intentional leadership.
2. Practical Leadership Skills
Building capability in the day-to-day disciplines of effective leadership: performance and feedback, communication, coaching, and leading through change and uncertainty.
3. Team Performance & Sustainable Working
Equipping leaders to build high-performing, accountable teams, with the tools to delegate effectively, manage their energy, and create the conditions for long-term success.
Pre and post assessments were conducted across 11 core leadership competencies to measure the impact of the programme on real behavioural change.
The programme delivered a 15.9% overall uplift in leadership capability across the cohort, with leaders moving from an average score of 7.53 to 8.72 on a 1–10 capability scale. This represents a meaningful increase from an already strong baseline, indicating genuine behavioural development rather than incremental change.
The strongest gains were in coaching (+40.2%), leadership expectations (+19.7%), feedback skills (+17.5%) and delegation (+15.6%). These improvements directly supported stronger team ownership, better performance conversations and a significant reduction in escalation dependency.
Qualitative feedback highlighted five significant behavioural shifts across the cohort:
“The data speaks for itself, but the real story is what happened in the room. Julia’s facilitation gave our leaders the space to be honest with each other, to challenge and support one another – and that trust didn’t stay in the room.
We’re seeing it in how they lead, how they collaborate, and how they’re showing up for their teams. The results were the goal; the leadership community we’ve built is the bonus.”
Zestfor delivers bespoke leadership and team development solutions that:
For organisations looking to develop leadership capability and build high-performing teams, Zestfor is the trusted partner to inspire and drive lasting change.