Articles / LIFT Leadership Programme: Complete Guide to All LIFT Options
Development, Training & CoachingExplore LIFT leadership programmes worldwide. Compare LIFT Ireland, Cahoot Learning LIFT, and Leadership Lift UK for transformational development.
Written by Laura Bouttell • Wed 31st December 2025
LIFT leadership programmes represent a diverse category of development initiatives sharing a common metaphor—the idea of elevating leaders to new heights—whilst serving distinctly different audiences through varied methodologies, from Ireland's national values-based movement reaching over 140,000 participants to corporate learning platforms designed for scalable organisational transformation. Understanding which LIFT programme aligns with your development needs requires examining each option's philosophy, structure, and intended outcomes.
The LIFT acronym and metaphor appears across multiple leadership contexts globally. Some programmes focus on personal values and self-reflection. Others emphasise practical management skills and corporate capability building. Still others target specific populations like emerging leaders or those navigating organisational change.
This guide examines the major LIFT leadership programmes available, their distinctive approaches, and how to determine which best serves your professional development objectives or organisational requirements.
Several distinct programmes use the LIFT name or metaphor, each serving unique purposes.
The National Values-Based Movement
LIFT Ireland stands as the most prominent values-based leadership initiative, founded on the belief that positive leadership can transform society. The social enterprise has reached over 140,000 participants across corporate, public sector, university, school, sports club, charity, and community settings.
Programme Philosophy
LIFT Ireland was built on a desire to change Ireland for the better by changing the way people view leadership. The initiative focuses on personal leadership development through values exploration rather than technical management skills.
Core Structure
The programme operates as an eight-part, group learning experience using a five-step self-reflective roundtable process. Small groups of four to six individuals meet weekly with certified facilitators to explore specific leadership values through structured discussion and personal reflection.
The Eight Leadership Values
| Value | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Listening | Active attention and understanding |
| Positive Attitude | Constructive outlook and optimism |
| Respect | Valuing others and their contributions |
| Competence | Capability and continuous improvement |
| Dedication & Determination | Commitment and perseverance |
| Empathy & Understanding | Emotional intelligence and connection |
| Accountability | Ownership and responsibility |
| Honesty & Integrity | Truthfulness and ethical behaviour |
Five additional values were incorporated following pandemic-era research: Resilience, Innovation & Adaptability, Diversity and Inclusion, Fairness, and Mindfulness.
Corporate Leadership Development Platform
Cahoot Learning's LIFT programme offers a technology-enabled approach to leadership development, designed for organisations seeking scalable transformation across multiple leadership levels.
Programme Design
LIFT delivers leadership development over six to twelve months, blending partner-developed content with proprietary platform technology and collaborative learning design. The programme emphasises not just knowledge acquisition but behavioural transformation—how leaders act, collaborate, and lead in real-world environments.
Target Audiences
Programme Tracks
Transformational Manager Development
Leadership Lift UK works with organisations to transform managers into effective and inspirational team leaders through structured yet flexible development programmes.
Key Features
Emerging Leader Acceleration
Transcend Leadership's programme targets aspiring leaders and those within their first five years of leadership responsibility, equipping emerging talent with skills for contemporary business environments.
Programme Focus
| Programme | Geography | Duration | Primary Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIFT Ireland | Ireland-focused | 8 weeks | Values-based personal leadership | Individual transformation |
| Cahoot Learning LIFT | Global | 6-12 months | Corporate capability | Organisational scaling |
| Leadership Lift UK | United Kingdom | Variable | Manager transformation | Hybrid team leadership |
| Transcend Leadership | United States | Programme-based | Emerging leaders | Early career development |
LIFT Ireland's distinctive approach deserves detailed examination given its scale and impact.
Structure and Format
LIFT roundtables form the core of the learning experience. Small groups meet weekly for approximately thirty minutes, guided by certified facilitators through structured exploration of each leadership value.
Key Principles
The roundtable operates as a safe space with specific ground rules:
This approach creates psychological safety for honest self-examination without social pressure or external evaluation.
Each roundtable session follows a consistent methodology:
LIFT Ireland operates through over 1,000 certified facilitators nationwide. This volunteer network enables programme delivery across diverse settings—from corporate boardrooms to community centres to university campuses.
Facilitator Certification
Individuals can become certified LIFT facilitators through training programmes, enabling them to lead roundtables within their organisations or communities.
LIFT Ireland was founded by leadership expert Joanne Hession alongside her brother David Hession and Sonya Lennon of Dress for Success Dublin. Their vision: reach ten percent of Ireland's population by 2028, creating widespread positive leadership culture change.
Cahoot Learning's corporate-focused LIFT represents a different approach to leadership development.
Transformation Through Learning
Cahoot positions LIFT as fundamentally about transformation—changing not just knowledge but behaviour. The programme aims to shift how leaders act, collaborate, and lead in actual workplace situations rather than simply transferring information.
DIY with Support
LIFT provides organisations with tools for internal delivery whilst offering optional facilitation support:
Flexibility Options
Organisations can select from curated programme bundles or build customised course combinations aligned with specific leadership goals and organisational context.
Core Capabilities
This track develops fundamental leadership competencies:
Navigating Disruption
Leaders learn practical approaches for:
Emerging Capability
The AI Leadership track addresses the growing need for leaders who can:
LIFT can function as a standalone programme or integrate with broader learning strategies. Many organisations pair LIFT with complementary development initiatives to build comprehensive learning ecosystems.
Selection depends on context, objectives, and constraints.
Individual vs Organisational Focus
| If Your Primary Need Is... | Consider... |
|---|---|
| Personal values development | LIFT Ireland |
| Scalable corporate capability | Cahoot Learning LIFT |
| Manager transformation | Leadership Lift UK |
| Early career acceleration | Transcend Leadership |
Geographic Considerations
Programme Selection Questions
Quality Indicators
Outcomes vary by programme but share common themes.
Personal Development
Organisational Impact
Organisations implementing LIFT Ireland report:
Leadership Capability
Organisational Benefits
Across All LIFT Programmes
Implementation approaches vary by programme type.
Steps for Organisations
Facilitator Development
Organisations can build internal facilitator capability, creating sustainable capacity for ongoing LIFT delivery without continuous external support.
Implementation Pathway
Scaling Considerations
Cahoot's platform-based approach enables organisations to scale leadership development across multiple sites, teams, and levels simultaneously.
Critical Implementation Elements
LIFT carries different meanings across programmes: LIFT Ireland stands for "Leading Ireland's Future Together," representing a national social enterprise initiative. Other programmes use LIFT metaphorically, suggesting elevation of leadership capability. Cahoot Learning's LIFT emphasises lifting leaders to new heights of effectiveness. The common thread is upward movement—developing leaders beyond their current capabilities toward greater impact.
Duration varies significantly: LIFT Ireland runs as an eight-week programme with weekly thirty-minute roundtable sessions. Cahoot Learning's LIFT spans six to twelve months depending on organisational needs and track selection. Leadership Lift UK offers variable duration based on specific programme design. Consider your available time commitment and development urgency when selecting a programme.
LIFT Ireland primarily operates within Ireland, where its facilitator network of over 1,000 certified individuals delivers programmes nationwide. The values-based methodology could theoretically transfer internationally, but current infrastructure focuses on Irish organisations and communities. International organisations seeking similar approaches might explore Cahoot Learning's global platform or other values-based development options.
LIFT Ireland focuses on personal leadership values through facilitated roundtable discussions, emphasising self-reflection and behavioural commitment without advice or judgement. Corporate programmes like Cahoot Learning's LIFT emphasise practical management capabilities, scalable delivery through technology platforms, and measurable organisational outcomes. Choose LIFT Ireland for values transformation; choose corporate programmes for skills development.
Costs vary considerably: LIFT Ireland operates as a social enterprise with various partnership models for organisations. Cahoot Learning's LIFT involves platform licensing and programme fees scaled to participant numbers. Leadership Lift UK offers bespoke pricing based on programme scope. Request specific proposals from providers to understand investment requirements for your context.
LIFT Ireland accommodates both individuals and organisations—individuals can join public roundtables or community programmes, whilst organisations can implement internal programmes. Cahoot Learning's LIFT primarily serves organisations seeking to develop leadership capability at scale. Check with specific providers about individual participation options and public programme availability.
LIFT Ireland requires facilitators to complete certification training before leading roundtables. Cahoot Learning provides facilitation training for nominated organisational champions. Formal qualifications vary, but commitment to the programme methodology and facilitation competence are essential across programmes. Becoming a certified facilitator typically involves training, practice facilitation, and ongoing development.
The variety of LIFT leadership programmes reflects leadership development's diversity—different contexts require different approaches, and no single programme serves all needs. Ireland's values-based movement, corporate learning platforms, and emerging leader accelerators each address distinct development challenges.
The metaphor of lift—elevation, ascent, rising capability—unites these programmes conceptually. Each promises to help leaders transcend current limitations and achieve greater effectiveness. The question is not whether to pursue development but which approach best matches your circumstances and objectives.
For those seeking deep personal values transformation within a supportive community, LIFT Ireland's roundtable model offers structured self-reflection with nationwide reach. For organisations requiring scalable capability building across multiple leadership levels, Cahoot Learning's platform-based approach provides flexibility and measurement. For UK-based organisations transforming managers into leaders, Leadership Lift UK offers tailored solutions.
Consider your primary development need—personal growth or organisational capability. Evaluate your context—geographic location, available time, delivery preferences. Assess your constraints—budget, infrastructure, facilitator availability. Then select the LIFT programme that best elevates your leadership journey.
The ancient Greeks spoke of auxesis—growth that enables greater purpose. Modern LIFT programmes operationalise this principle, creating structured pathways for leaders to grow beyond current capabilities toward greater contribution. Your leadership development investment, channelled through the right LIFT programme, can yield returns far exceeding the initial commitment.
Whatever LIFT programme you choose, the essential insight remains constant: leadership capability grows through intentional development, structured reflection, and sustained practice. The question is simply which vehicle best carries you toward your leadership aspirations.