The Leadership Framework in Practice series is a set of structured development sessions for leaders at the University, which aims to support them in specifically addressing the key challenges for leaders in our environment. 

Structure and Content: these highly-interactive two-hour sessions, delivered virtually via Zoom, will include:

• a guest speaker to position the subject at the core of each session
• an interactive breakout session where leaders are encouraged to share how they have sought to lead effectively in the current climate, share their learning, and gain insights from others in similar situations
• sharing of the key points emerging and consideration of the underlying qualities needed in a leader to lead effectively in our environment

There will be four two-hour sessions during the academic year 2021-2022: the first in November 2021, with further sessions planned in January, March and May 2022.

Audience: all those who have participated, or are participating in the Inspiring Leaders Programme, and Leading at Manchester, or are in leadership positions, are invited and encouraged to attend.

Supporting Framework: through these sessions we will share The Leadership Framework; a set of qualities and practices specifically developed for leaders at our University, to help guide personal development to enhance your capability as a leader, in our environment. Further details about the Framework can be found below on this page.

• Session One: Leading in a Hybrid World (view session recording)

Speaker input: Gemma Dale. Gemma is Wellbeing and Engagement Manager at the University, and has written and researched extensively on this subject. As we emerge from the COVID pandemic, hybrid working - a mix of home and campus working - is a reality for us all. For academic leaders this is perhaps nothing new; for PS leaders it is less usual. For a leader, the task of leading effectively in this environment is a challenging one: how to ensure you lead inclusively, that no one feels out on a limb or disadvantaged. There is the need to role model behaviours which will encourage successful hybrid working, to plan effectively for optimum working arrangements, and to strike a balance between personal preferences of those you lead, while meeting the neeeds of your work group as a whole. Key to all of this is the ability to lead with and demonstrate trust. 

Leadership Qualities referenced:

1. Communicate and engage
2. Role model for inclusion

• Session Two: Leading Inclusively (view session recording)   

The ability to inspire and engage, and to do so in an inclusive way, so that all those you lead feel valued, respected and encouraged to give their full contribution, is a key skill for leaders to possess. In our present environment, there is a need and an expectation at the University that each leader will work as a role model for inclusion, and it is this quality in the Leadership Framework focused on in this session. This second session in the series is introduced by Banji Adewumi, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and the speaker is Samantha Lubanzu. Samantha has considerable experience working at a senior level in large organisations. She is the Inclusion and Diversity Lead for CIPD Manchester and has recently established her own career coaching business. Samantha shares  her views on what leading inclusively means, and the key skills and capabilities we can all seek to develop to be truly inclusive leaders. 

Leadership Quality referenced: Role Model for Inclusion.

• Session Three: Strategic Thinking for Leaders (view session recording)   

One of the biggest challenges for leaders is to balance the competing needs of overseeing current operations while also setting the longer term direction. The ability to understand emerging trends which may impact the organisation and their part of it, while also recognising how possible future scenarios may help or hinder the broader strategic goals of the institution, is a key capability. There is also the requirement on leaders to establish at a local level what achievement of the organisation’s goals would look like, and to engage those they lead in this exercise. The Leadership Framework’s Quality of 'Thinks Strategically' is explored in this session, together with the related Quality of Demonstrates Emotional Intelligence, so necessary in gaining buy-in to the creation and achievement of  longer term goals. This third session in the series is introduced by Matt Atkin, Director of Planning, and our speaker is Hazel Chapman.Hazel has considerable experience working at a senior level in large and international organisations. She is the Managing Director of Courage2Lead. Hazel worked for 25 years in HR Business Partnership and Change Leadership with British Gas and GlaxoSmithKline, where she held HR Director roles for the UK and Belgium/Luxembourg affiliates and the role of HR VP for the Global Vaccines Supply Chain, based out of Brussels. She has worked extensively across Europe, North America and Asia. 

Leadership Qualities referenced:

1. Thinks strategically
2. Demonstrates emotional intelligence

• Session Four: Leading Change (view session recording)   

Leading change effectively is probably one of the greatest challenges leaders will face. There are multiple dimensions to address: as a leader, what is my personal response to the change (if I have not initiated it), what rights do I have to my own views and what responsibilities do I have to the role of leader? How do I manage my energy, so I can address my own resilience while also being an effective advocate for the change? Am I going to be merely a supporter of the change, or an advocate for it? And how do I manage to carry those I lead with me, while also addressing their needs?

The Leadership Framework’s Quality of 'Leads Change' is explored in this session. This fourth session in the series is introduced by Matt Atkin, Director of Planning, and our speaker is Judith Fraser. Judith is a Senior Leadership Consultant who has worked with leaders in multiple organisations in helping to build their individual and collective capability in leading and sustaining change. In this session, Judith addresses the question of how best to manage and deploy your energy as a leader in times of change, to help you and the organisation achieve the best outcome. Judith also addresses the challenge of being an advocate for change, while also integrating the change at a personal level.

Leadership Quality referenced: Leads Change

• Session Five: Innovates and Takes Risks (view session recording)   

Of the nine Leadership Qualities in the Leadership Framework, 'Innovates and Takes Risks' is perhaps one many of us may find a little challenging. Taking calculated risks and encouraging those we lead to do the same, could quickly become a recipe for disruption and damage to reputations. It could also - when led with care - lead to better outcomes than were perceived possible and be empowering and energising for you and those you lead. Certainly, if we are to achieve the University's 'Our Future' strategic objectives, we will need to do more of this. 

In this online session, Caroline Pankhurst of 'Be Braver' delivered an engaging and stimulating input; encouraging us to consider how we react to self-imposed fear and limitations, and how we can best place ourselves to create a climate welcoming innovation and where taking managed risks is encouraged and supported. Participants were able to discuss these issues and share personal insights in breakout discussions. 

Leadership Quality referenced: Innovates and Takes Risks

• Session Six: Deliver and Develop Performance (view session recording)   

In this session participants will be encouraged to reflect on their own approach to delivering and developing performance, and what they can do to create the best environment for success within their own teams. The session is open to those already in leadership roles which focus on setting direction and maintaining a strategic approach. It will be introduced by Helen Ashley, Head of Workforce Planning and Talent, Directorate of People & OD.This is the sixth in a series of interactive online sessions which address each of the nine Leadership Qualities which make up the Framework and encourage you as a leader to consider your personal leadership response.

Leadership Quality referenced: Deliver and Develop Performance

• Session Seven: Demonstrating Emotional Intelligence (view session recording)   

Emotional Intelligence is increasingly recognised as a key component of effective leadership, but for some it remains a nebulous and possibly ill-defined subject. For most though, there can be little doubt that possessing and demonstrating the skills to set and maintain a positive work environment conducive to bringing out the best in your people, is a key component of an effective leader. In this session participants will be encouraged to reflect on their own approach to this subject, and what they can seek to do in every interaction to create the best environment for success. The session will be introduced by Adèle McKinlay, Director of People and Organisational Development, and our speaker will be Anna White, well-known to many of you who have completed our Leading at Manchester programme.

Leadership Quality referenced: Demonstrates Emotional Intelligence

• Session Eight: Infuencing and Advocating (view session recording)   

A key ability of a leader is to engage those they lead in establishing a new direction, change, or transformation. Critical to this is their ability to influence the thoughts and reactions of others, and to be able to advocate ideas and arguments. Do we feel we spend enough time doing this, or indeed, do we feel confident in our ability to influence and advocate? Given our environment of bigger and faster change, the need for us to do so will only grow. This session not only offers participants the opportunity to learn and test-drive fundamental advocacy techniques, it also encourages attendees to reflect on their own approach to influencing and advocating and, through a series of breakout discussions, share successes and talk about the challenges they face and devise strategies to overcome them. The session is designed for those in leadership roles which focus on setting direction and maintaining a strategic approach. Our speaker will be Emma Taylor, of EmmaTaylorPresents. Emma’s professional experience includes scriptwriting and acting, and she works with people to help build their impact in group situations, and in developing the skill of advocacy.

Leadership Quality referenced: Influencing and Advocating

Previous Leading Through Uncertainty series recordings (2021-2022)

• Developing Your Leadership Narrative (view session recording)

Speaker input: Andrew Thorp. Andrew is a successful and experienced leadership development consultant, who specialises in encouraging leaders to seek both the emotional as well as rational connection with their teams, to engage their audience in an authentic and compelling way.

Action learning session: your opportunity to share your experience in this area, gain ideas and insights from fellow-leaders and commit to trying new activities.

Leadership Qualities referenced:

1. Thinking strategically
2. Leading change
3. Communicate and engage
4. Influence and advocates

• The Value of Inclusive Leadership (view session recording)

Speaker input: Olive Strachan, MBE. Olive established her own learning and development business in Manchester twenty years ago, and in this session shares her experience and learning as a black female business leader regarding the impact of a lack of inclusion, the benefits to be gained from a positively inclusive approach, and how this can be best achieved.

Leadership Qualities referenced:

1. Demonstrates emotional intelligence
2. Acts with integrity

• The Need for Agility (view session recording)

Speaker input: William Winstone. William is an expert facilitator in development and team coaching. William addresses the conditions which need to be in place - both psychologically and environmentally - to enable leaders to feel confident to act with agility and manage the consequences - for them and their team members. This session positions the need for speed and agility within a broader leadership framework, coupled with a strengths-based approach to help you increase your own leadership agilityand that of your team. A chance to consider your existing strengths in this area and where you want to focus your development. 

Leadership Qualities referenced:

1. Innovates and takes risks
2. Delivers and develops performance

• Empowering and Developing your Team (view session recording)

Speaker input: Prof. Wing. Lam. Prof. Lam, of Alliance Manchester Business School, has researched and published extensively on this subject. In this session, Wing addresses the conditions which need to be in place for empowerment to flourish:- the importance of a clear sense of team identify, an acknowledged sesne of mutal respect, intrinsic work motivation, and clarity on expectations and accountability. This session addresses developing empowerment within a broader leadership framework, and the importance of effective and regular feedback, both informally and in P&DRs, to help you increase your own empowerment capability with those you lead. 

Leadership Qualities referenced:

1. Role model for inclusion
2. Communicates and engages
3. Delivers and develops performance