Case Study: Circl & Emtelle
How Emtelle Built Inclusive Leaders Through Coaching
About Emtelle
Industry: Telecommunications
Location: Global
Company size: 800+
Emtelle is a leading manufacturer and global supplier of blown fibre, ducted network solutions, and connectivity systems. With teams spread across functions and locations, Emtelle is committed to developing leaders who can communicate clearly, collaborate across boundaries, and create an inclusive culture where everyone feels heard.
The Challenge: Strengthening Inclusive Leadership Across Teams
Emtelle wanted to deepen its leadership capability in three core areas:
Building a more inclusive leadership mindset
Strengthening coaching skills to empower, rather than direct teams
Creating oppotunities for cross-functional collaboration and reflection
Their goal was to shift leaders away from an advice-giving approach toward coahcing-led conversations that build confidence, trust, and independent thinking.
The organisation also wanted a programme that created meaningful social impact, giving leaders the chance to develop alongside talented young people from underrepresented backgrounds.
“I have grown in confidence and I am happy to harness my strengths as opposed to focussing too much time on how to improve my ‘weaknesses.’ We are all different. I have used this programme to reflect on my future direction both personally and professionally. I feel empowered and ready to continue supporting others with their goals.”
Lauren Evins, Key Account Manager at Emtelle
The Solution
A Coaching Programme Built for Inclusion and Real-Time Practice
Programme participants:
21 Emtelle professionals in leadership positions
Future leader participants: 21 FL's
Training hours: 20 per person
Circl delivered a structured coaching programme designed to build inclusive leadership through hands-on experience.
Over 12 weeks, participants experienced:
Virtual group workshops (2 hours each): covering active listening, powerful questioning, and core coaching frameworks.
1-2-1 coaching partnerships: Each Emtelle professional was paired with a Future Leader (aged 18-24) from an underrepresented background).
Live coaching practice: Both partners coached each other weekly, creating a two-directional learning experience that built confidence on both sides.
Cross-functional collaboration: Participants came from multiple teams across the organisation, strengthening communication and shared learning.
The Outcomes
“This course has probably had the most impact on me as an individual and personality than any other course I have ever done.”
Graham Boyle, Group HSE Manager
The Impact
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Every Emtelle professional reported becoming a more inclusive leader after graduating from programme.
100% said the Circl programme helped them develop inclusive leadership behaviours.
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Participants experienced transformative growth in confidence:
• 58% increase in confidence as a coach
• 30% increase in confidence working with young people
This shift empowered leaders to guide teams more effectively and create space for others to contribute.
“By asking more powerful questions and applying a coach approach to conversations, I have had a much better response from the people I work with.”
Jean-Pierre Terblanche, Lead Solutions Engineer
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The programme resonated deeply:
100% would recommend Circl to a colleague, friend, or family member
Average rating of 9.2/10 for the Circl Match experience
Conclusion
Through Circl, Emtelle invested in leadership development that doesn’t just teach inclusion, it practices it.
By equipping professionals with real coaching skills and pairing them with Future Leaders from underrepresented backgrounds, Emtelle created a culture of empowerment, reflections, and shared growth. Leaders left the programme more confident, more collaborative, and ore of bringing out the best in their teams.
Discover how Circl can help your leaders build inclusive teams here.
Key stats
58% improved confidence as a coach
30% increased in confidence working with young people
100% feel they are more inclusive leaders
100% would recommend Circl