Back to News Building Leaders, Not Just Managers
From 16–20 February in Tanzania, we partnered with MS-TCDC to deliver a workshop as part of the Social Justice Leadership Programme (SJLP) 2026.
With MS-TCDC Tanzania, we wrapped a rooted convening on people-powered leadership to enable an organizing mindset among the ActionAid Country Teams from multiple regions and the space was electric with energy, insight, and commitment to carry the learning home. Here’s what happened, who was there, and what our participants are saying.
Who joined and from where:
Program managers, community organisers, donor engagement leads, and team leads came together — united by a commitment to building more powerful, people-centred organisations.
Leadership vs. management is a critical distinction:
Participants drew a sharp line between managing tasks and building leaders. The workshop centred on how to inspire others to carry a shared purpose forward and not just deliver or execute instructions.
The People Power Change framework as a way forward:
From sharing their own stories, learning ways to sustain relationships, to building actionable strategies together through examples and a model campaign, Boresha Elimu, participants left with a clear understanding of how People Power Change applies to their specific roles and contexts.
What we explored together:
Coaches and trainers guided participants through the power of narrative in organising and team building including the Story of Self, Us, and Now alongside practical tools for relationship-building, coaching, campaign strategy, and identifying allies. The workshop challenged participants to think precisely about the ask: who are your people, what do you need from them, and how do you bring them on board?
Testimonials — in their own words
A deep thank you
We are profoundly grateful to our coaches and trainers for their generosity, depth, and dedication to this work. Your investment in these participants is already rippling outward; you built leaders committed to cascading this learning to their teams, their workspaces, and their communities.
Interested in a customized workshop? Explore our programs and tailored workshops to find the learning pathway that best supports you and your team.
