CLIENT STORIES

Elevating Leadership at Rainbow: A case study in empowering middle management teams

The Context:

Rainbow, a high-growth SME with teams spread across the UK, was committed to better empowering its middle-management team. While performance was strong and the team “got on well,” fast-paced growth and hybrid working brought common challenges:

  • Symptoms of burnout and busywork.

  • Silos and gaps in communication.

  • Trust and collaboration struggles impacting team dynamics.

  • Low confidence and imposter syndrome holding leaders back.

Recognising the importance of investing in their people now—to sustain success and future-proof their team—Rainbow partnered with popp® to design a 6-month leadership development programme.

The Solution

Combining practical tools, deep self-reflection, and transformative offsites, we designed a bespoke 6-month Leadership Development Programme, including:

  • Multiday In-Person Offsites

  • Virtual Workshops

  • 360-Degree Feedback Coaching

  • Gallup CliftonStrengths Personality Assessments

Our key focus areas were to:

  • Empower Leadership & Confidence: To equip them with the confidence to embrace challenges, innovate, push-back and drive the business forward.

  • Leverage Strengths: Help participants identify their unique capabilities and maximise their potential.

  • Reignite Motivation: Align individuals and teams around their individual purpose & goals

  • Build Trust: Break down silos, foster open communication, and strengthen collaboration.

  • Collaboratively problem-solve

“It fundamentally changed how we work together and communicate. It made us a lot closer as a team and helped me gain confidence in celebrating my abilities.”

Jo Adger - National Account Manager

The Results

All 12 participants rated the programme a 5/5 for usefulness, effectiveness, and delivery. One month on, its impact was clear:

  • Stronger Team Dynamics: Silos were broken, and communication flourished.

  • Renewed Confidence: Leaders felt empowered to celebrate strengths and face challenges head-on.

  • Deeper Connection: Teams collaborated more effectively—professionally and personally.

Why popp®?

I asked Rainbow’s Managing Director how this programme stood apart and why they continue to partner with popp®.

Here’s what he said:

Chloe and popp® have done an outstanding job delivering a six-month leadership program that’s now a key part of our management development.

The program has pushed our middle management to step up, highlighted key issues of awareness and alignment within our senior team, and built greater teamwork and trust across the business.

We’re excited to continue working with popp® to align our teams behind our growth plans. I highly recommend their leadership program to any SME looking to scale and build high-performing leadership teams."

Here’s what participants felt about the accelerator…

  • "Chloe's workshops have allowed me time to reflect on my achievements and successes in order to give me confidence to propel me forward."

    Gary Hughes

    Head of UK Sales at Rainbow

  • "We now have such a strong bond & are so looking forward to make things happen in the future together."

    Mandy McGough
    Field Sales Manager at Rainbow

  • "It was very eye-opening and gave a real sense of motivation to develop not only professionally but personally."

    Hannah Grant

    Management Accountant at Rainbow

  • "It definitely enhanced our team dynamics. It brought us closer together. We're able to really understand each other more."

    Zara Hynes

    Brand Manager at Rainbow

  • "I really liked the interaction, learning about my peers and being given the time to think about my strengths!"

    Sian Greenslade

    Customer Service Manager at Rainbow

Want to Unlock the Potential of Your Leadership Team?

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