Beyond Boundaries: A success story
Civil servant Kate Terry shares how the Beyond Boundaries development programme helped her overcome imposter syndrome and secure a senior role.
Kate Terry
Kate Terry, 41, gained the confidence to secure a secondment to a senior role at the West Midlands Combined Authority after completing Beyond Boundaries, a 12-month Civil Service development programme designed to help staff progress their careers.
Based in the West Midlands, where she lives with her husband (also a civil servant) and their two rescue cats, Kate joined the Civil Service three years ago after working in professional services and higher education. Despite her experience, she felt she needed support to progress within the organisation.
Overcoming personal barriers
“My Mom only ever worked part-time in an office and my Dad was a stonemason. No one in my family has kind of got these sort of early manager, middle manager roles,” says Kate. “Especially given I’m from the Midlands, and I’ve got an accent… when you come across people that speak very posh, they use words I don’t understand, I’ve always just kind of shied away from it.”
Learning from senior leaders
Beyond Boundaries helps civil servants from junior to middle management grades develop their leadership potential through coaching, networking and practical projects. For Kate, the programme’s coaching sessions and conversations with senior leaders were transformative.
Through direct engagement with Deputy Directors, Kate discovered that senior leaders also face their own challenges: “They’re vulnerable, and they’re not perfect, they’re not on this pedestal. They make mistakes.”
Growing confidence
The programme continues to influence how Kate approaches her current role. “I’ve come into this role, and there’s a lot of stuff I don’t understand, and there’s a lot of stuff I need help with. And actually, I’ve been a lot more vocal in standing up for myself… Before, I would have just been quietly suffering in silence.”
Most significantly, Kate credits Beyond Boundaries for giving her the confidence to pursue her current position: “I never would have gone for this role, this external secondment, had I not done Beyond Boundaries. Without a doubt, there is no way I would have even entertained the idea.”
Building lasting networks
The programme’s impact extends beyond the workplace. Kate’s cohort continues to meet every few months, maintaining valuable connections and supporting each other’s development.
Her advice to potential applicants? “It’s the stuff that you won’t expect to learn about yourself that makes it so special.”
Keep an eye out for details on how to apply for Beyond Boundaries in Summer 2025.