“It’s How We Lead”: Why SBS Invests Differently in Its Managers
At SBS, leadership development doesn’t happen in conference rooms with laminated workbooks and abstract management theory. It happens in television studios, in interactive workshops, through coaching, conversations and practical learning experiences. It is designed to “feel native to SBS and edgy enough to maintain interest,” in the words of Head of Learning & Capability Development Brett Archer.
SBS’s award-winning leadership program, It’s How We Lead, has become one of the organisation’s defining cultural initiatives. First launched in 2016, the program was created to answer an important question: what does great leadership look like at SBS?
“In early 2016 we launched our leadership model and brand, It’s How We Lead, to help articulate the core elements of leadership we need our people leaders to be focused on at SBS,” says Archer.
What makes the program stand out is its practical, human-centred approach. Instead of lengthy presentations and management jargon, SBS focuses on learning experiences that are relevant, engaging and immediately useful.
“SBS has moved beyond leadership development programs that rely heavily on theory and business project application to focus instead on highly impactful development opportunities that build practical capability,” says Archer.
“We don’t want hours of theory or to be bored to death with models and management lingo. We want real, practical programs that allow for practice and growth over time, with many filmed in our recording studios and hosted on SBSU, SBS’s internal learning platform, making leadership content accessible across the organisation regardless of role or experience level.
Every SBS employee with direct reports is considered a people leader and takes part in the program. Workshops are intentionally concise, usually between two and four hours, and designed to fit into busy lives while still delivering meaningful development.
Recent It’s How We Lead sessions have focused on practical leadership skills including powerful conversations, growth mindset, emotional intelligence, accountability, negotiation and conflict resolution.
One workshop helps leaders build trust and navigate difficult conversations with confidence. Another explores motivation, resilience and emotional intelligence, helping leaders better support themselves and their teams through challenge and change. Other sessions focus on constructive feedback, active listening and creating team cultures built on trust and accountability.
Importantly, the program continues to evolve based on feedback from SBS employees and leaders. Staff provide feedback through employee engagement surveys, while focus groups and leadership workshops help shape future learning priorities.
“People Leaders at SBS have helped to co-design our model of leadership, which has been updated to directly reflect the SBS Values, as well as the content and mode of delivery for our development program, with a focus on more intimate face-to-face sessions adopted most recently,” says Archer.
Ultimately, It’s How We Lead reflects SBS’s broader commitment to creating a workplace where people feel supported to grow, lead and contribute in meaningful ways.
“We ask if we are delivering a program which impacts on the capability of our leaders, since this has such a big impact on the lives of our employees,” Archer says.
For the people leading teams across SBS every day, that investment is about more than professional development. It reflects the kind of culture SBS wants to create, one where leadership is practical, inclusive and experienced everyday.