2013 Leadership Workshop

John Germov, convenor of the NeW Directions Future Workplace Plan, provides an update on the 2013 Leadership Workshop and other priorities under the Plan.

Strategic Objective 2 of the Future Workforce Plan focuses on developing the capacity and capability of the University's leadership group to deliver the 2025 Vision, performance targets and lead strategies.

We are investing in the development of all levels of our academic and professional leadership group. As part of this focus, we launched a revamped Head of School (HOS) Leadership Program on 19 March, which will be followed by the HOS Retreat in April facilitated by the LH Martin Institute. The program provides both practical skills as well as the opportunity for Heads of School to share experiences and learn from each other. The program also includes a 360-degree feedback tool, executive coaching and individually tailored professional development activities.

A new Directors Leadership Program aligned with NeW Directions for professional staff will also be launched soon, followed by a new version of the line management program Leadership Impact, Management Essentials (LIME).

A key feature of these programs will be the opportunity for participants to be actively involved in NeW Directions implementation groups, which will provide a large number of our leaders with the ability to actively engage and shape the introduction of strategic initiatives at a University-wide level.

2013 Leadership Workshop

Two weeks ago around 70 members of our senior leadership team from across the University came together for a very productive couple of days. Building on the planning outcomes from last year's workshop, the 2013 Leadership Workshop focused on moving from 'Strategy to Action'.

An important component of the day's discussions focused on developing a shared understanding of what is required of our leaders as we progress towards our 2025 Vision.

Among a number of sessions, Anne Young, Director of Planning, Quality and Reporting presented on the University's Management Information System (MIS) Portal. The MIS is a data warehouse that collects data from a variety of University, national and international sources including course and program enrolments, course and program load, student success and attrition reports, research income, research publications and research higher degree load. The leaders workshopped how we can best use this valuable 'business intelligence' to inform planning and decision-making.

The team from PQR also presented on UoN's Corporate Planning Cycle, which maps out the key planning and reporting activities across the year and how the Strategic Plan cascades through the organisation so individuals better understand how their role contributes to the University realising its 2025 Vision.

Particular strategic priorities were also workshopped, including developing a Program Load Model and discussion started around the key elements of a Flagship Program. These activities gave all participants a pathway for the development of projects in their own local unit.

The Health and Safety team also presented on the Healthy University Scheme, which the VC wrote about in the last FROM THE VC's DESK.

Overall, it was an industrious couple of days - full of lively discussion and debate! You can see our leaders in action below.

As well as programs to develop our academic and professional leaders, work is progressing well on other 2013 priorities under the Future Workforce Plan, such as the UoN Career Advantage Package, and I will write to you in the coming weeks with news on this and other initiatives in the Plan. In the meantime please send ideas and comments to newdirections@newcastle.edu.au

John