Get Ahead Faster — Early Careers Development Programme
A six-week live cohort programme that builds workplace confidence, communication, emotional intelligence and professional judgement in graduates, apprentices and ambitious early career professionals.
Created and delivered live by Cara Cunniff and Ben Timpson. Based in the UK, working worldwide. Contact: cara@businessofemotions.com · +44 7730 434154.
What the programme is
- Six live 90-minute small-group sessions, online, fortnightly.
- Cohorts of 8–20 early career participants.
- Live facilitation by Cara and Ben — no pre-recorded modules. Sessions are recorded.
- One to two hours of practice between sessions, applied to real workplace moments.
- Outcome: a personal playbook of scripts, structures and mindset tools for the moments that decide progression.
The five high-stakes moments
The framework defines five repeatable workplace situations every early career professional encounters and whose handling decides progression.
- Briefing — being clear, structured and credible under scrutiny.
- Ideas — making ideas, work and contribution visible.
- Conflict — holding difficult conversations well.
- Authority — managing up and holding ground with senior stakeholders.
- Crisis — performing when stakes are high and recovering quickly when things go wrong.
Who it is for
Individuals. Graduates, apprentices, new joiners, junior consultants and early career professionals — usually in the first three years of work — who want to own how they show up, get heard and progress.
Organisations. HR, L&D, talent and early careers teams running graduate schemes, apprenticeship programmes or early talent development. Private cohorts improve early talent retention, manager confidence in junior performance, and visible progression across the intake.
What participants leave with
- Visible workplace confidence and professional presence that earns trust.
- Sharper spoken and written communication, and composure under pressure.
- Stronger emotional intelligence, self-awareness and workplace judgement.
- A personal playbook of scripts ready to use the next morning at work.
Founders and coaches
Cara Cunniff — Leadership and performance consultant, founder of The Business of Emotions, former British Army Reserve Psychological Operations Officer, qualified coach, coach at Judge Business School (University of Cambridge).
Ben Timpson — Communication and career development specialist. 13 years in the British armed forces advising Admirals and Generals. Clients include Google, Uber and Microsoft.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the programme?
- Six live 90-minute sessions, fortnightly, plus one to two hours of practice between sessions.
- Is it online, in person or hybrid?
- Live online, facilitated in real time. Recordings available if you miss a session.
- How many people are in a cohort?
- 8–20, kept deliberately small so live practice, coach feedback and peer learning stay meaningful.
- Is it only for confident people?
- No. Confidence is a trained outcome, not an entry requirement.
- Is there a version for organisations?
- Yes — private business cohorts for graduates, apprentices, new joiners and emerging leaders. Book a call.