Leadership capability workshop 2004
Brisbane, January 2003
A pilot leadership capability building workshop for 10 women academics with potential to be heads of academic units was held from Monday 27 January 2003 to Wednesday 29 January 2003 immediately before the ATN conference at QUT; the women involved then had the opportunity of attending the ATN conference. The workshop was developed by the ATN WEXDEV national management committee with the ATN Human Resources Directors and was directly supported by the five Vice-Chancellors.
Each ATN University selected 2 women. Participants included 1 Head of School, 1 Deputy HOS, 1 Acting HOS, 2 Heads of Department, 2 Academic Managers, 1 Dean Teaching and Learning and 2 currently not in administrative positions although one had recently left a Dean Research position.
The Evaluations of the workshop were very positive and ATN WEXDEV will develop a similar workshop for another group next year.
When asked which parts of the workshop were most helpful or useful, participants specifically mention a 2-hour session of personal leadership stories presented by senior QUT academic women. The women presenting were praised for their generosity and honesty. It was pointed out that listening to the life experiences provided 'great insight into the possible and impossible. The diverse stories showed that you could get to similar places by very different paths.' The participants commented that the session had enabled reflection on their own situations and built confidence in establishing an individual pathway for each individual.
Also particularly valued was a 3 hour session on strategic issues in higher education, focusing on the Crossroads Review. This was run by Lenore Cooper of Phillips Curran. The presentation of the issues was described as useful, well-presented, succinct and intelligent. One commented on the fact that it presented complex issues succinctly and another on the value of focusing on the bigger picture of university functioning in this session. There were as well sessions Managing - Human Resources, Risk and Finance and on Research.
Finally a number of participants praised the opportunities for networking, interactions and discussions with other participants and the opportunity to share goals, strengths and barriers with other women.
Specific suggestions for future workshops were:- portfolio development; changing cultures; networks;
- handling difficult people; leadership styles; specific problem solving discussions eg on delegation, time management, dealing with conflict, inspiring and motivating staff;
- building confidence and skills to try for the next job; practical workshops eg time management; legal liabilities of an academic manager.
When asked about how useful it was to attach the workshop to the ATN conference, participants indicated that they had not known before how the ATN operated nor thought of the advantages that the ATN potentially provides to academics, such as the possibilities for collaborative work and research. The conference provided opportunities for networking with senior management and "reviewing the structures/power within my own university. I met & spoke with a number of people who are not readily accessible in such a large organization if you have no excuse to meet with them. This was an excellent opportunity!"
All in all the workshops showed the importance of networking with other women to build your career goals and the value of having time out to focus on management.
Photos:
Participants in the workshop with Colleen Chesterman
Joan Osborne (Curtin Representative of WEXDEV Management Committee) with QUT senior
women, Professor Vi McLean, Dean of Education, Professor Sandra Harding, Dean of
the Faculty of Business and professor Helen Edwards, Head of the School of Nursing
