The Strategic Leadership Programme will appeal to those with a portfolio which reaches across the institution and who want to exercise their strategic vision to make a meaningful impact in shaping the future direction of the higher education sector through influence and engagement.
The programme has been designed as a learning space that confronts and considers issues such as 'systems thinking', complexity, holistic approaches to organisational development, leadership in the face of wicked problems and the containment of organisational and system dynamics. It is a programme about the place of higher education in its context and the strategic leadership required to sustain it.
Programme redesign for 2022
Please note we have redesigned the April cohort (12) as a blended programme. This allows us to build on the hugely successful virtual framework by delivering Module 3 and 4 of the programme as an in-person, residential experience (over 2 days/1 night).
Scheduling this activity towards the end of the programme gives participants the opportunity to strengthen the connections and networks they will have already started to establish whilst on the virtual elements of the programme. It will also act as a solid springboard for future self-managed interactions beyond the lifetime of the programme itself.
The overall programme content will remain the same as advertised, however there may be changes to the sequencing of the content across the four modules in order to optimise the blended delivery format.
Aims and outcomes
The programme comprises a blend of theoretical inputs, provocations, speakers, practical exercises, observations and discussions and will take a 'systems thinking' approach to considering strategic leadership.
One feature of that approach is that the SLP group itself becomes a 'learning organisation' to which all its members contribute. To that end, your preparation for, and active contribution to, the programme is an important part of its value. The Strategic Leadership Programme is designed to create opportunities to rehearse leadership approaches and is created around its participants: their willingness to engage, to share experiences, and to support each other.
The primary aims of the programme are to:
- build confidence in the power of leadership to change organisations.
- to disrupt complacency about the current operating model of Higher Education with a series of strategic “what if?” questions in order to create new models.
- to challenge concepts of heroic individualised leaders in favour of distributed systems leadership.
- to explore and develop approaches for leading in a complex environment
At the end of the programme, we expect that you will:
- better understand the environment in which your leadership is being enacted.
- have tested tools and approaches for influencing the systems and culture and of your organisation and the behaviour of others within it
- have strengthened your confidence to lead well in situations of uncertainty, complexity and disruption.
- have built a new network of fellow sector leaders who share a common language and understanding of the environment in which you are all working and who are able to provide generous mutual support.
Who is the programme for?
Our Strategic Leadership Programme is designed for those who are faced with a particular strategic challenge that would benefit from collaborative problem solving and practical solutions.
Participants typically hold roles in their organisations that combine leadership of a particular function or academic area with high-level responsibility for one or more issues of a pan-institutional nature (for example internationalisation, student or staff experience, external collaborations, regional or global partnerships).
How is the programme delivered?
The programme is delivered in a hybrid format (comprising virtual and face-to-face elements) with six sessions over the course of two months and consists of an informal introductory networking session, two one-to-one coaching sessions (pre- and post- programme), four full-day modules and a half-day action learning set.
Each of the four modules will include to following elements to help participants consolidate their learning:
- Approximately 2 hours of asynchronous pre- and post-session activities (for example, screencasts, articles, undertaking a self-guided group activity)
- 4.5 hours of synchronous online activity (split across two sessions), with refreshment/lunch breaks and 1.5 hours of asynchronous activity scheduled between these.
- Approximately 30 minutes of post-module reflective activity
Who delivers the programme?
Introductory videos
In this video, co-facilitators Alastair Work and Lisa Sofianos describe the benefits derived from participating in Advance HE’s Strategic Leadership Programme.
In this video, Lisa Sofianos provides an overview of the Strategic Leadership Programme.
In this video, Alastair Work explains the concept of systems thinking which underpins the Strategic Leadership Programme.
Module dates and information
For full details of each of the modules, download our full information sheet.
Application deadline 4 April 2022
Introductory networking session
Thursday 28 April, 17:30 – 18:30
Networking Session designed to provide an opportunity to meet fellow participants and the facilitators in a relaxed and informal online setting and start to engage with the technology.
Networking Session designed to provide an opportunity to meet fellow participants and the facilitators in a relaxed and informal online setting and start to engage with the technology.
Pre-programme coaching session
Wednesday 4 May - Friday 6 May 2022
Participants will have the opportunity to work individually with a coach over two bookable 1.5 hour 121 sessions, one at the start of the programme and another upon completion.
Participants will have the opportunity to work individually with a coach over two bookable 1.5 hour 121 sessions, one at the start of the programme and another upon completion.
Module 1
Monday 9 May 2022, 09:30-16:00
Engaging with complexity:
What are the trends and challenges coming towards the sector that we need to put back on our radar after Covid-19 has swept all before it? What can organisational psychology tell us about leading in these fast-paced and unstable times?
Engaging with complexity:
What are the trends and challenges coming towards the sector that we need to put back on our radar after Covid-19 has swept all before it? What can organisational psychology tell us about leading in these fast-paced and unstable times?
Module 2
Tuesday 10 May, 09:30-16:00
Leadership responses:
How can we lead when we don’t yet have the answers? How do we manage the tensions that inevitably arise in complex systems?
Leadership responses:
How can we lead when we don’t yet have the answers? How do we manage the tensions that inevitably arise in complex systems?
Action Learning Set
Thursday 19 May 2022, 09:30-13:00
A half-day of facilitated group coaching to bring fresh perspectives and inspiration for solutions to your real and intractable leadership challenges.
A half-day of facilitated group coaching to bring fresh perspectives and inspiration for solutions to your real and intractable leadership challenges.
Module 3 (day 1 of residential element)
Tuesday 24 May, 09:30-16:00
Leading complex institutions:
How can we lead higher education strategy better? What can organisational development thinking teach us about enacting change in complex systems? What fresh approaches can we design by re-imagining our institutions?
Leading complex institutions:
How can we lead higher education strategy better? What can organisational development thinking teach us about enacting change in complex systems? What fresh approaches can we design by re-imagining our institutions?
Module 4 (day 2 of residential element)
Wednesday 25 May, 09:30-16:00
Influencing and engaging others:
What can we learn about our influencing technique from individually working with an actor and coach? How can we disrupt cultural comfort zones to get real traction on change?
Influencing and engaging others:
What can we learn about our influencing technique from individually working with an actor and coach? How can we disrupt cultural comfort zones to get real traction on change?
Post-programme coaching session
Wednesday 15 June - Friday 17 June 2022
The second bookable 1.5 hour, 121 session to be taken upon completion of the programme.
The second bookable 1.5 hour, 121 session to be taken upon completion of the programme.
One-to-one coaching
Participants will have the opportunity to work with a coach over two sessions at either end of the programme. One-to-one coaching offers a confidential, non-judgemental, reflective space to consider leadership impact, embed learning, challenge unhelpful mindsets, and try new ideas on for size.
Our facilitators are qualified and experienced in coaching leaders in the higher education sector and will work with you first to design coaching objectives, and then help you work towards achieving them during your sessions. Whether you have benefitted from coaching before, or are new to the process, it is an important opportunity for focused reflection and learning entirely for you and your leadership development in a supportive environment.
A thought provoking programme, that challenges different perspectives and thinking in Strategic Leadership. The programme encourages reflection and internalisation to help individuals to really think about the effectiveness of their approach and becoming adaptive leaders when working with others to drive strategic thinking, planning and leadership.Dr. Parveen K. Samra, Associate Dean Quality and Accreditation, Faculty of Engineering Environment & Computing, Coventry University.
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