Professional Development ProgramKINNECT's Emerging Leaders Program
Our in-house professional development program cultivates and enhances the leadership abilities of KINNECTers: open to people from every department.
- 10-monthProgram length
- ~10KINNECTers per cohort
- 40+Graduates since 2021
- DecemberApplications open
What is the ELP?
KINNECT is on a mission to help more people. To do that, we need to grow the business, and for that we need to grow our people. The ELP was created by Kevin Conlon, KINNECT's Founder & Chairman, in 2020 to nurture leadership talent for the future and help our people excel in their current roles. Since 2021, over 40 KINNECTers have graduated from the program, many of whom have progressed into team leadership and management roles.
Why we run the ELP
“We're in the helping people business and we need to invest in our people to get the best possible outcomes. I don't know many businesses who do this — sometimes not even larger companies put effort into creating and running their own program. But it's worth the investment. The ELP helps people grow in their personal lives as well.”
Three pillars of the program
- 01Pillar 01
What you’ll learn
A 10-month program designed to develop leadership and business skills. You'll explore Culture, Recruitment, Finance, Operations, Time Management, Discipline & Execution, Business Goal Setting and Technology.
- 02Pillar 02
How it’s delivered
Each month you read a book on a different business theme. Two one-hour virtual learning sessions a month discuss the book and apply it to KINNECT, including the latest results from our Kulture survey, which moved from monthly to quarterly in September 2025 as a feedback-driven refresh after KINNECTers asked leaders for more time between surveys to act on what they'd heard. The program begins and ends with a face-to-face training day in Brisbane, plus guest speakers throughout. Cohorts deliberately mix workplace rehabilitation consultants, nursing, admin and support people so leadership ideas don't become a clinical-only conversation.
- 03Pillar 03
Who can apply
Open to KINNECTers from any department and any job level. The program accepts a small cohort of around 10 each year so there's plenty of opportunity for support, knowledge sharing and discussion. Applications open in December each year.
What previous cohorts say
“The book on attraction delved into a business's ability to succeed based on their capacity to solve problems. I feel like my role doing self-evaluations and uncovering trends is relevant to providing the feedback we need to solve problems.”
Janna RiordanLead Consultant, Cairns: 2024 Cohort“The ELP has really shaped my day-to-day interactions with my direct reports. I regularly incorporate the learnings from the books, as well as the great interactions and knowledge sharing with all the ELP participants.”
Michael VainerTeam Manager, Melbourne: 2024 Cohort“Being a skilled consultant doesn't automatically translate into being an effective leader. Leadership demands a diverse set of abilities — this program has exposed me to insights and teachings I wouldn't have encountered otherwise.”
George BarbarigosTeam Manager, Melbourne: 2023 Cohort
Ready for professional development that stretches you?
Join KINNECT for the opportunity to take part in the ELP as part of a comprehensive development plan.