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Creating Ripple Effects: Supporting Leadership at Power for the People Global
Sladen Consulting
Case StudiesThrough the Sladen Butterfly Fund, we supported Power for the People (PFP) Global with leadership coaching and team development during a critical leadership transition. Here's how investing in people helped strengthen an organisation already creating remarkable impact in communities across Kenya.
Through the Sladen Butterfly Fund, we provided:
-Executive coaching for incoming CEO Janine Edwards
-Leadership transition support for PFP Global
-High Performing Team diagnostics and recommendations
-Strategic thinking and team development support
The result was a smoother leadership transition, greater confidence for the new CEO and valuable insights to help strengthen the organisation as it continues its important work.
The Sladen Consulting Butterfly Fund supports organisations around the world who are furthering the cause of our chosen UN Sustainable Development Goals: Clean Water and Sanitation and Life Below Water.
We want to see our "earning to give" rationale create a wider reach of impact, enabling the organisations we support to become even more of a force for change. We call it our sustainable ripple effect; we want our Butterfly to flap its wings and create ripples around the world.
We do this by using our core skills of coaching, facilitation and consulting to nurture influential and successful individuals and teams within these organisations who together contribute to building a sustainable and thriving planet. Sometimes that means steadying the ship, navigating uncharted waters, connecting the crew or guiding teams through the storms they are facing.
One organisation we have been proud to support through the Butterfly Fund is Power for the People Global.
PFP Global helps some of the world's poorest communities through projects that improve access to education, clean water and electricity, food security and sustainable livelihoods.
A UK-registered charity, PFP Global provides practical and environmentally clean solutions that help communities become self-sufficient and sustainable. Their approach is built around "Handshakes-not-Handouts" – a philosophy we at Sladen wholeheartedly support.
One example of this work can be seen in Osupukai village in Kenya. Here, PFP Global established a reliable water supply by installing a borehole with solar-powered pumping and water storage of up to 20,000 litres for households.
This installation has provided 520 people with access to safe, clean water while also creating a sustainable source of income for the community. The women of Osupukai run the compound, and water users pay 20 Kenya Shillings (15p) for each 30L jerrycan of water.
The impact extends far beyond access to water. Income generated has helped finance increased access to education, a new library and communication hub, as well as internet connectivity. Future plans include establishing goat farming and a ghee-making enterprise to generate further income.
As PFP's previous Chief Executive Officer, Nasrin Sharifi, moved into a trustee role, Janine Edwards stepped into the position of CEO.
We wanted to support this important leadership transition by helping ensure the handover was as smooth as possible.
Through the Butterfly Fund, we provided an Executive Coaching package delivered by our own Jan Brause. The bespoke programme comprised six coaching sessions involving a range of conversations and meetings designed to support Janine as she stepped into her new role.
Jan brings a 30-year background in coaching across the private, public and third sectors. She is passionate about enabling leaders to make the most of their talents.
With her membership of the Climate Coaching Alliance, her interest in climate and sustainability, and her passion for bringing these conversations into leadership work at Sladen Consulting, she was a natural fit for this assignment.
As Jan explains:
"It made sense in every way for me to support the 'ripple effect' that Sladen is having in foregrounding the Climate Crisis and water based Sustainable Development Goals."
Working with both Nasrin and Janine, Jan helped them explore the transition in leadership and assess the potential impacts.
The coaching created a safe space to pause and reflect, to unpick issues, thought processes and decision-making before taking action. Challenges were discussed openly and explored from different perspectives, while successes were acknowledged and incorporated into future strategies.
Alongside the executive coaching, our consultant Alex Germeau provided a High Performing Teams scoping exercise.
Alex is a professional systemic coach who specialises in coaching teams within organisations. For her:
"Making a difference to teams and people is so meaningful, therefore it was obvious that I could extend my expertise to charities such as PFP Global that support projects focusing on renewable energy and clean technologies."
Alex interviewed Janine alongside key colleagues and partners to gain a deeper understanding of the PFP team dynamic.
The objective was to understand more about the team and their relationships, with a particular focus on leadership, while identifying strengths, development opportunities and desired outcomes.
This diagnosis enabled us to better understand how PFP could move from good to great and where our support could have the greatest impact.
The support provided through the Butterfly Fund has already begun to create positive ripple effects.
Reflecting on the coaching experience, Janine described feeling:
"Confident in putting forward my ideas, challenging where needed, and making sure that I got what I needed from the day to lead our strategic development and implement our plans for the future."
She also shared that the coaching made her transition to CEO "much less stressful" compared to what her peers experienced.
Janine acknowledged that she had previously been reluctant to ask for help, but the coaching improved her ability to articulate what she needed and seek support when required.
The benefits extended beyond the leadership transition itself.
PFP Global has since experienced increased engagement across its social media channels, website and donor engagement events, reaching a wider audience than the founder and Chair's networks. There is hope that this will translate into more diverse income sources and reduced reliance on personal networks, strengthening the long-term sustainability of the organisation.
As a result of the High Performing Team interviews, several key development areas were identified for the leadership team. Central to this was applying the Golden Circle framework to help focus strategic thinking at Board level and create greater clarity around the "what", the "how" and the "why".
The work also helped address questions the organisation had been grappling with for over a year, including their vision for growth and future geographic focus.
Supporting Power for the People Global reminded us that meaningful change rarely happens through funding alone. It happens when people, teams and organisations are given the space, confidence and support to thrive.
We are proud that the Butterfly Fund was able to contribute to PFP Global's leadership journey at such an important moment in its development.
As the organisation continues its inspiring work, bringing clean water, sustainable livelihoods and opportunity to communities in Kenya and beyond, we look forward to seeing the positive ripple effects continue to spread.
