Case Studies

Academic Leadership Programme: University Business School

University Education

This Business School created an Academic Leadership Programme to support and enable managers to successfully lead change in their areas of responsibility. Contributing to this, C-Change designed and delivered a series of workshops on key areas of leadership including self development, effective communication and leading and managing people. Executive coaching was also available for managers.

The Situation
The University of Glamorgan Business School is the largest business school in Wales, delivering world class teaching and applied research to students and businesses in Wales, the UK and overseas. In common with other UK academic institutions the School is facing a period of considerable change; external pressure on funding and internal changes, including a recent reorganisation of management responsibilities, have implications for how the School is led and managed for continued success. In response the School has created an Academic Leadership Programme to support and enable managers to successfully lead change in their areas of responsibility.


The Programme

Elements of the Academic Leadership Programme were delivered internally. To complement these C-Change designed and delivered a series of workshops on key areas of leadership including self development, effective communication and leading and managing people. The workshops combined a review and discussion of theoretical models with exercises designed to practice skills and explore the topics covered. Wherever possible, real strategic issues were used as the basis of workshop exercises, with actions being carried forward into the workplace. One to one coaching was also available, with sessions tailored to individual requirements in an overall context of the objectives of the Academic Leadership Programme and addressing a range of issues facing academic leaders.


Outcomes

Feedback on the value of the programme was extremely positive, with people rating the overall effectiveness as very good. Workshop content rated highly included the value and importance of teamwork, motivating people, dealing with difficult conversations and the need to build strong relationships with others.


In addition managers commented on the creation of a positive environment that encouraged openness and trust within the leadership team. People particularly valued working together in exercises to address real strategic priorities for the School. They also welcomed the opportunity working with colleagues gave them to improve their understanding of each others' perspectives and values.


"The sessions were very useful and excellently facilitated." Programme participant


"The workshops quickly established an open and constructive atmosphere in which real issues could be explored" Professor Steve Hill, Head of Research & Staff Development.

 

The day we spent with Charlotte really bonded us together as a team and was instrumental in getting a new leadership perspective implemented...