Play Unlock

We offer public courses which invite a cross-sector group of senior executives to work together as a cohort and experience a vertical development process

We invite around 10 senior leaders from diverse sectors to share a profound developmental journey based on the fundamental game-changers that create the conditions for deep, lasting transformation.

Play Unlock has been designed to:

introduce participants to the core pillars of Play CoLab’s practice
minimise disruption to normal work patterns
be accessible cost-wise
be adaptable to teams and individuals who are geographically dispersed including globally
relevant to intact teams seeking to elevate collective leadership

Read Participant Testimonials

Overview of this unique experience:

The group process
In this format, you learn as much from your cohort as you do from the facilitators. The diversity of perspectives, the witnessing of others' breakthroughs, the accountability and support, this creates an accelerant for development that individual coaching or traditional training simply cannot match.

Evidence-based rigour meets human connection

We combine sophisticated developmental theory and proven assessments with the very human experience of leaders supporting leaders. This isn't theory divorced from practice, it's lived, practiced, and integrated in real time.

Sustained development over time

The nine-week structure with multiple weekly touch-points keeps the work alive. Between sessions, participants:

Experiment with new leadership practices
Complete targeted reflections
Support each other (formal or informal)
Notice what changes and what persists.

Expert facilitation

Two experienced Play CoLab facilitators bring complementary strengths to guide the journey. This co-facilitation model ensures rich perspective, robust support, and seamless delivery.

Course Structure

This intensive programme creates a transformational arc across a 9-week period, with multiple touch-points each week that keep the development work alive and evolving.

Week 1: Pattern Making and the Vertical Developmental Journey

One 2.25-hour evening session + Two 2.5-hour sessions
Focus: Adult Development

The first evening session includes a powerful introduction to one another that sets the tone for the intimacy and authenticity that will characterise the journey ahead.

Then over the next two sessions the group gains a shared understanding of leadership and how it works, using themselves as case studies. This includes:

Understanding individual consciousness and ego dynamic - the inner game
Understanding how this links to leadership practice - the outer impact of the inner game

Week 2: Pattern Breaking and The Inner Operating System

2.5-hour session + Individual 60-minute coaching session

Focus: Shadow Work Foundation - Going to the Roots

This week begins the deep inner work by exploring the conditioning that shapes who we believe ourselves to be:

The notion of ego in relation to conscious leadership
Belief systems about oneself, others, and the world that get in the way of leadership potential
Shadow selves and patterned ways of being.

The group's learning from each other accelerates as members start to see patterns across different contexts and industries.

Each participant receives an individual 60-minute coaching session this week to do a deeper dive into the work covered in the first 2 weeks of the programme.

Week 3: Pattern Breaking and The Inner Operating System

2.5-hour session

Focus: Shadow Work Deepening

Building on Week 2's foundation, this week explores the masks we wear and the shadows we carry.

Work is done as a full group to encourage support and build a rich repertoire of understanding around shadow and mask qualities.

Week 4: Integrating the Pillars – no live session

This week is intentionally spacious — a pause in the programme rhythm that creates room for the work to land more deeply.

Week 5: The Inner Game to the Outer Game

2.5-hour session

Focus: Shadow integration and introduction to the Leadership Circle Profile

Part 1: Deepening Shadow Integration

The session explores projection and triggers - when shadow material shows up in leadership. Participants work through a personal shadow using the 6 steps of shadow integration.

Part 2: Introduction to the Leadership Circle Profile

This half introduces the Leadership Circle Profile framework. Participants discover how this 360 profile connects to MyWorldView and shadow work, creating a cohesive understanding of these three integrated facets of vertical development. Facilitators guide participants in preparing to receive their results with openness.

Week 6: Leadership Circle Profile

3-hour session

This week deepens understanding of the Leadership Circle Profile, connecting it to worldview and shadow work explored in previous weeks.

By the time each participant receives their Leadership Circle Profile, they have a far fuller understanding not just of 'how' they turn up but 'why' they turn up in a particular way - which is the greatest lever for transformation.

This session unpacks:

How individual reactive behaviours hold back the multiplier effect of potential strengths
How fear-based behaviours masquerade as purpose-based behaviours

Week 7: Individual coaching session #2

Each participant then receives a further individual 75-minute coaching session to explore their profile in depth and identify specific developmental focus areas. By the time each participant receives their Leadership Circle Profile, they have a far fuller understanding not just of ‘how’ they turn up but ‘why’ they turn up in a particular way – which is the greatest lever for transformation

Week 8: Conversations that Count

One 3-hour session and one 2.5-hour session
Focus: Leadership Communication

These sessions focus on Leadership Communication: the ability to deeply listen in the present moment and ask intuitive questions. It creates role play opportunities for difficult conversations.

Week 9: Integration

2.5 hour session

Focus: Bringing it all together

The final session weaves together all learning across the course:

Articulating personal leadership commitments going forward
Sharing feedback with each other
Creating accountability structures (within the group if desired)
Celebrating the journey and transformation witnessed
Understanding the ‘rocking chair effect’ and how to sustain development.

Dates + Details

Dates:

After completing 2 highly successful programmes already this year, the course is now open for August 2026

Programme fee: NZD$7,400+gst per participant (contact Play CoLab for Not-for-Profit fees)

This includes:

25 hours of group facilitation across 9 weeks (10 sessions)
2 x Individual 60 and 75 minute coaching sessions
MyWorldView developmental assessment with results and 5 year access
Leadership Circle Profile 360 assessment
Shadow Work Made Simple 10-module online course (lifetime access)
All session materials and resources
Two expert facilitators throughout.

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Dates for August 2026:

Week 1

Session #1: Tue 11th Aug - 6pm to 8.15pm

Session #2: Wed 12th Aug - 8.30am to 11.00am

Session #3: Thu 13th Aug - 8.30am to 11.00am

Week 2

Session #4: Thu 20th Aug - 8.30am to 11.00am

Individual coaching session #1

Week 3

Session #5: Thu 27th Aug 8.30am to 11.00am

Week 4

Integration week - no session

Week 5

Session #6: Thu 10th Sept - 8.30am to 11.00am

Week 6

Session #7: Thu 17th Sept - 8.30am to 11.30am

Week 7 (21 Sept to 25 Sept)

Individual coaching session #2

Week 8

Session #8: Tues 29th Sept - 8.30am to 11.30am

Session #9: Thu 1st Oct - 8.30am to 11.00am

Week 9

Session #10: Thu 8 October - 8.30am to 11.00am

About the Facilitators

Alyson and Adelle bring complementary expertise to both individual and team development, underpinned by deep personal shadow work practice. Alyson's specialisation in vertical development and team/group coaching combines with Adelle's global business leadership and organisational transformation experience to create a rich facilitation environment where psychological depth meets practical application. They guide participants through territory they know intimately, embodying Play CoLab's commitment to collaborative practice.

Is Play Unlock for you?

This programme is designed for:

Senior and executive leaders ready for deep developmental work
Leaders in transition (new roles, increased scope, organisational change)
Teams wanting to elevate collective leadership while supporting individual growth
Leaders who know something needs to shift but aren't sure what
High-potential leaders preparing for greater complexity and impact
Anyone tired of surface-level leadership development and ready for transformation.

You don't need to have all the answers. But you need to be willing to:

Look honestly at yourself
Be honest with peers (we do not force vulnerability for the sake of it)
Experiment with new ways of being
Support others on their journey
Commit to the nine-week process.