How Dogstar Foundation is Creating a Happy Workplace with the Level 7 Programme

In: BlogDate: Apr 09, 2025By: Claire Lickman

The Level 7 Senior Leadership programme is a post-graduate level qualification with a difference. It's designed for CEOs and senior level leaders of organisations who want to learn how to change the culture of their organisation to one based on trust and empowerment.

As an apprenticeship qualification, it's focused on implementing ideas and on-the-job learning, and it can be paid for by the Apprenticeship Levy. This means that your organisation will pay just £700 for a two-year leadership programme with monthly workshops and regular coaching.

"If you’re battling imposter syndrome or think studying isn’t for you as an adult, please reconsider. If I can do it, anyone can," says Samantha Green of Dogstar Foundation.

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I felt totally out of my depth when I started this course in October 2022. As someone with dyslexia only diagnosed at 15, I left school with a handful of low-grade GCSEs and genuinely questioned whether I belonged in the room on a Level 7 programme.

"As we head into 2025, I feel both Dogstar and I are far better prepared for whatever comes next."

Transforming both Samantha as a leader and Dogstar as a workplace

"In just 2.5 years I have grown as a strategic and reflective leader, embedded psychological safety across the organisation, learned how to balance values with commercial and operational realities, and transition Dogstar from a traditional top-down model to empowered, self-managing teams." 

Samantha has also introduced some elements of the Toyota Production System into Dogtstar, to improve quality, efficiency, and staff engagement, with more to come expanding this. 

Having the support that's needed to accomplish more

Sometimes, all you need is a little extra support. Having someone who can encourage you and help you when you most need it can make all the difference.

"Thanks to the support of my brilliant coach Isobel Colson (who believed in me even when I didn’t), my fantastic fellow students who taught me so much, and the incredible team around me at Dogstar Foundation, I found my footing and so much more."

Find out more about the Level 7 Senior Leadership Programme

Transform your organisation with our Level 7 Senior Leadership programme. It's designed for CEOs, Directors and Heads of Department who are looking for a hands-on, long-term programme that will support them to create real change.

Learn more on our free Level 7 taster and information session, a one-hour online session that will give you a flavour of our facilitation style and the opportunity to ask questions. Our next session is 23rd April 2025, held online via Zoom.

If you would like to apply for the Level 7 Senior Leadership programme, simply email Henry on henry@happy.co.uk. He would be delighted to talk to you over Zoom or simply respond to your questions.

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Join our free 1 hour taster session

Learn more about our Level 7 programme, ask questions and experience the style and interactive approach of the programme with our free 1 hour taster session.

Join us next on the 23rd April 2025 (held online via Zoom).

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Claire Lickman

Claire is Head of Marketing at Happy. She has worked at Happy since 2016, and is responsible for Happy's marketing strategy, website, social media and more. Claire first heard about Happy in 2012 when she attended a mix of IT and personal development courses. These courses were life-changing and she has been a fan of Happy ever since. She has a personal blog at lecari.co.uk.

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Next Conference: 2025 Happy Workplaces Conference

Our Happy Workplaces Conference is our biggest event of the year, and we'd love for you to join us on Thursday 12th June!

This year's event will be held at Happy's HQ in Aldgate, central London.

We may also offer a hybrid option for people to join us online simultaneously — do let us know if you are interested in joining online and we can add you to the waiting list.

As always, our next conference will be filled with interaction, discussion and space for reflection.

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