Our work with the Malta Food Agency focused on creating space for its senior management team to reflect on how they lead, collaborate and support one another.

Rather than starting with a predetermined training programme, we worked closely with the Agency to understand the challenges its managers were experiencing, the different responsibilities within the team and the areas where development could make a meaningful difference.

As Justin John Camilleri, Chief Business Development Officer, explains:

“Usually in these circumstances, you are presented with an off-the-shelf option, while Endeavour helped us to first identify the issue at hand and develop something together to work on it and solve it.”

That initial understanding shaped a tailored leadership workshop centred on Delegation and Empathy, combining practical exercises, facilitated discussion and opportunities for managers to reflect on their own experiences.

Delegation was explored not simply as a way of distributing tasks, but as an important leadership responsibility — one that requires trust, clear communication and a willingness to give others the opportunity to make decisions and take ownership.

For Ruth Micallef, Senior HR Manager, this challenged a familiar management habit:

“I used to think that sometimes doing the task yourself is quicker and you do it more your own way.”

Through the workshop, that perspective developed into a wider reflection on how delegation can empower team members, strengthen accountability and create opportunities for others to grow.

Alongside delegation, the programme explored the role of empathy in leadership, particularly in relationships between managers. While empathy is often discussed in terms of how leaders support employees, Justin highlighted the importance of extending that same understanding to colleagues at management level.

The workshop also created opportunities for managers, including those who were relatively new to the team, to share experiences, discuss challenges and consider different perspectives in a comfortable and constructive environment.

As Justin reflects:

“The kind of friendly delivery helped them to get out of their shell as well.”

For Ruth, the balance between theory, discussion and practical exercises made the experience particularly relevant. The sessions encouraged managers to connect what they were learning with their own day-to-day responsibilities, while reflecting on the behaviours and habits that influence how they lead.

She describes Endeavour's approach as one that:

“Combined professionalism and expertise with a practical and human approach.”

An important message running through the engagement was the value of creating time to pause and reflect. In demanding management roles, it can be easy to move from one responsibility to the next without considering whether there might be a more effective way of working.

By stepping away from their everyday routines, the managers had an opportunity to think more deliberately about how they delegate, communicate and collaborate.

Ultimately, the work with the Malta Food Agency was about more than developing individual management skills. It was about strengthening the relationships and shared understanding that allow managers to work together, support their people and move towards common organisational goals.