Middle managers

Feeling the squeeze

Middle managers are the engine that keeps organisations moving, turning strategy into action while juggling pressures from above and below. Operating in the zone where most change management stalls or fails, they need resilience, influence, and a collaborative approach.

Our leadership development solutions help them lead through complexity, drive results, and inspire their teams.

Our impact

Driving Leadership Excellence at FORVIA-HELLA 

When FORVIA-HELLA - one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers - set out to strengthen its global leadership pipeline, they partnered with iOpener to bring their vision to life. Together, we co-created L.E.A.D Compass, a powerful development journey for middle managers inspired by the belief that “our values are our compass.” 

Blending in-person learning, virtual collaboration, and executive coaching, L.E.A.D Compass helps leaders build the confidence, capability, and mindset to lead with purpose. Delivered across Europe and Asia Pacific in English and Chinese, the programme has thrived for over a decade, adapting seamlessly through the pandemic thanks to innovative hybrid solutions. 

Today, more than 500 FORVIA-HELLA leaders from 10 countries have completed the programme, developing positive, values-driven leadership that drives innovation and growth. FORVIA-HELLA continue to shape their future with iOpener, by empowering their leaders to guide the direction of travel to create lasting impact. 

“I am delighted to share my heartfelt appreciation for the LEAD Compass Programme in the Asia Pacific region, delivered by iOpener. For over ten years the programme has been a major success, thanks to the outstanding facilitators from iOpener, who worked in parallel to deliver to the same standards in both APAC and Europe."   Priscilla Guan, Vice President of Human Resources, Asia Pacific, FORVIA-HELLA 

Building Resilient Leaders in a Changing World 

When a leading European healthcare organisation wanted to boost its leadership pipeline, they partnered with iOpener to design a transformative programme for high-potential middle managers. The goal: build a shared leadership culture, nurture talent, and equip future leaders to thrive in complexity. 

Together, we co-created a three-module journey where participants learned to steer themselves, influence others, and scan the horizon for opportunities and challenges. Through a blended approach, combining practical toolkits, coaching, and experiential learning, leaders explored their authentic leadership style, aligned personal and organisational values, and built confidence to navigate conflict and drive collaboration across boundaries. 

When the pandemic struck, we pivoted fast. We shifted from in-person to hybrid and then to fully virtual delivery, ensuring that learning continued uninterrupted. Across all formats, participants stayed engaged, inspired, and energised. 

By learning before, during, and after the pandemic, this organisation not only didn’t just sustain their leadership development, but they also redefined it. 

 “I loved, loved, loved, loved and hated it in equal measure the acting sessions: loved how interactive they were. And I loved how it pushed us out of our comfort zone a fair bit. And I think there's nothing wrong with that feeling even though at the time it's awful. And I loved that the working session led us to develop our own workshop, and to partner with someone to deliver that. I thought that was brilliant.”  Participant