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Leading People

Leading people is the ability to influence others in a positive way and mentor, motivate and guide others towards the achievement of goals.

A leader can align and build effective teams both within School/Unit/College and across UCD and works effectively with senior management and with the University's academic and business communities.

RISE Leadership and People Management Programme

The RISE programme is designed for all Senior Leaders and People Managers across UCD.

This Leadership programme has been created to support the delivery of the UCD Strategy 2020-2024, 'Rising to the Future'. As per our strategy, we commit to rising to meet the global challenges of the future through the excellence and impact of our research, scholarship and innovation, while ensuring every member of our community is enabled to achieve their full potential.  

RISE is delivered by our strategic partners Flow Group. The modules are designed to facilitate participants coming together to reflect and plan their individual and collective approaches to navigating an ever-changing and complex landscape, and each session includes personal reflection, action planning, small group conversation, idea generation and discussion.

RISE Programme Overview

This high impact programme is designed as a learning journey which consists of a number of modules which must be completed in sequence. Senior Leaders and People Managers will attend the Core Module together to share experiences and work to create common approaches and language. Each cohort will then attend their Essentials 1 and Essentials 2 modules in sequence.

RISE Insights
The programme also offers RISE Insights Sessions on HR, Finance and Research Finance. These optional 90-minute offerings delivered by our UCD colleagues provide specialist advice and guidance. Insights Sessions can be attended at any time once you have completed your Core module.

RISE Peer Connect
These one-hour self-contained sessions allow for the continuation of learning and sharing among our diverse community of people managers and leaders. The purpose of these facilitated sessions is to connect peers in small groups of three, with each person talking through a challenge, idea or insight, sharing experiences and using the group as a confidential sounding board.

These sessions can be attended at any time throughout your RISE journey.

This two-minute video explains more about Peer Connect. 

Booking your place on RISE
To book your place on any of the RISE offerings please visit the dedicated RISE Booking Portal available to People Managers and Senior Leaders.

Please note only eligible participants will have access to book on the UCD RISE Leadership and People Management Programme.

Aurora is a leadership development training programme aimed at women and those who identify as a woman. It aims to encourage those in academic and professional roles to think of themselves as leaders; to develop leadership skills and to help institutions like UCD optimise the leadership potential of women and those who identify as a woman.

Aurora originated through the Leadership Foundation in the UK, in response to Professor Louise Morley’s (2012) stimulus paper called ‘Women in Higher Education Leadership’ Absences and Aspirations’. 

The programme is now delivered by Advance HE and it provides, in an interactive online learning environment, core and adaptive leadership skills and knowledge over six stand-alone days. These sessions are delivered online over a five month period.

The Aurora programme comprises of a combination of development days; self-directed learning from on-line resources; cross-institutional action learning sets and in-house mentoring. Training is delivered in an online format with attendance of between 80-100 participants.

Making an application

The application process for the 2022-2023 programme is now closed. Applications for the next in-take are expected to open in Trimester 1, 2023/24.

Information relating to the 2022/23 programme is available via the following links:  

Aurora Information for Applicants

Aurora Guidance in Choosing a Mentor

For more information about Aurora, you can visit the AdvanceHE website.

Participants

The programme was established in 2013 and has run in a number of venues in the UK and Ireland, including London; Manchester; Bristol and Glasgow and Dublin. UCD has supported over 143 women to participate in the programme since 2015,  demonstrating the University's commitment to leadership development and gender equality.

Mentors

Aurora requires that the University puts systems in place to help support and develop participants on their Aurora experience. This includes having mentors in place to work with participants; having an overall UCD Aurora Champion and also support and liaison through the People and Organisation Development, UCD HR.  Although the development days are run over 5 months, the mentoring arrangement continues throughout a calendar year to help participants maximise the benefit of the programme.

Professor Joe Carthy is currently the overall Aurora Programme Champion and Katharine Slattery, People and Organisation Development Specialist, is your contact in HR.  Should you have any queries in relation to Aurora in UCD, please contact peopledevelopment@ucd.ie.

If you have questions relating to other leadership or management development please discuss this with your Line Manager or Head of School/Unit at your annual P4G conversation.

Who is this course for?
This course is for all staff members who want to run more interesting meetings with better participation and better outcomes. Meetings are not just places where decisions are made and work is done, they shape and reflect the culture within which we work. 

The aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills to run high-energy, creative meetings which enable us to achieve more in less time, while building more effective teams and a better environment.

How long is this course?
Session 1 takes place on campus and lasts 3.5 hours (with a 15-minute break).
Session 2 takes place on Zoom and lasts 3 hours (with two short breaks)

What topics will be covered?
Session one will cover

  • Preparing your meetings: clear objectives, energy-led agenda, creative methodology
  • Designing meetings that build collegiality and achieve objectives
  • Generating the right participation
  • Minutes – v – action plans: writing for momentum

Session two will cover

  • Creating a team charter
  • Staying on track
  • Creative discussion and decision-making techniques

Do I need to prepare anything before or after the session?

There are two bits of pre-course work in advance of Session Two:

  1. Participants will read a workbook sent a week before the course. 

  2. Participants will complete a short questionnaire  

In advance of Session Two:

Participants will complete a ‘meetings audit’ by reflecting and writing (in a template) on two meetings that they have attended and two meetings that they have run

For details of upcoming events or to book your place on available courses, please visit the HR - Professional Development booking centre  If your chosen course is fully booked or no longer available, you can access the UCD LinkedIn learning portal via your UCD Connect login where you will find a range of eLearning courses. 

If you have any further queries on this programme, please contact peopledevelopment@ucd.ie or call ext 4919.

Who is this course for?
This course is for all staff members interested in developing their skills to complete efficient meeting preparation, leading meetings successfully and conduct and guide meetings.

This half day course has been designed to teach learners the importance of preparing for meetings, techniques for structuring meetings professionally, what needs to be recorded and how to ensure that everyone leaves the meeting with a very clear outline of the next steps/actions.
 

How long is this course?
This is a 3.5-hour workshop - including 15-minute breaks

 
What topics will be covered?
This is a highly practical course and scenario based exercises and group discussions will be used throughout to allow learners to gain a better understanding of how principles apply in practice.

This course aims to take the pain out of meetings and introduce staff to the principles and techniques involved for managing face to face, hybrid or remote meetings. The course is highly participative and will focus on providing an opportunity for participants to practice the skills needed to chair/or contribute effectively to meetings.

Topics Covered:

  • Identifying the different types of meetings - inperson/hybrid/remote
  • Isolating the common problems and difficulties that occur in meetings
  • Structuring the various phases of the meeting
  • Leading effective meetings with PPCM - Pertinence, Preparation, Conduct and Measure
  • Conducting an effective meeting

Do I need to prepare anything before or after the session?

To gain the maximum benefit from the course each learner will be asked to complete a Managing Meeting quiz to
assess how good their current skills are.
This will help learners to set the context for the course and allow them to focus on areas they need to improve on.

For details of upcoming events or to book your place on available courses, please visit the HR - Professional Development booking centre  If your chosen course is fully booked or no longer available, you can access the UCD LinkedIn learning portal via your UCD Connect login where you will find a range of eLearning courses. 

If you have any further queries on this programme, please contact peopledevelopment@ucd.ie or call ext 4919.

Who is this course for?
This training is suitable for learners who want to continue to influence others in a positive way and mentor, motivate and guide others towards achievement of goals. This half-day course has been designed to address the new challenges associated with managing Hybrid Teams. During the training, we look at the benefits of a hybrid model from the employer's and employees' perspectives. We will also look at how to encourage collaboration and engagement within teams no matter where individuals are located and how to sustain inclusion for all.

How long is this course?
This is a 3.5-hour workshop - including 15-minute breaks

What topics will be covered?
This is a highly practical course and scenario-based exercises and group discussions will be used throughout to allow learners to gain a better understanding of the content covered.

Topics Covered:

  • Benefits of the Hybrid Work Model
  • Common challenges of Hybrid work
  • Manage communication and meetings
  • Identifying and reducing proximity bias
  • Delegating from a distance
  • Productivity & collaboration tools
  • Building motivation and fostering connection across your team

Do I need to prepare anything before or after the session?
Before the course, we will ask learners to complete an online survey in relation to their current role and the daily challenges they come across while managing a hybrid team. This survey will help raise each learner's self-awareness and encourage them to focus on what they want to get out of the training.

Before the course begins each learner will also receive a 3-2-1 Personal Action Plan template. At the end of the course, the trainer will facilitate a short reflective activity which will allow each learner to use this template to record: 

3. Three things they learned/were reminded about during training

2. Two things they want to action based on the session

1. One thing they are going to action this week

Learners will be encouraged to share their entire plan with their supervisor, manager or a co-worker in order to have accountability. 

For details of upcoming events or to book your place on available courses, please visit the HR - Professional Development booking centre  If your chosen course is fully booked or no longer available, you can access the UCD LinkedIn learning portal via your UCD Connect login where you will find a range of eLearning courses. 

If you have any further queries on this programme, please contact peopledevelopment@ucd.ie or call ext 4919.

Who is this course for? 
This course is for all staff members interested in developing their coaching skills. The aim of the course is to facilitate the development of the skills and mindset required to hold quality, focused and productive coaching conversations that result in greater clarity and direction for others. The mindset and skills can be used one to one, in a group, with colleagues, reports and stakeholders alike.

How long is this course?
This course includes 2x 3.5-hour workshop - including 15-minute break – followed by a 1-hour Action Learning Set

What topics will be covered? 
Coaching is a core mindset and skill that can be applied in any situation. The specific skills focused on in the programme are:

  • Questioning
  • Listening
  • Empathy
  • Directness
  • Being non judgmental
  • Patience
  • Presence
  • Coaching

By the end of this one-day programme you will leave with a practical tool, which you have practiced and are confident in using, which:

  • Gives laser sharp focus to your team
  • Significantly accelerates their performance
  • Saves time for you…over time
  • Empowers your team to problem solve themselves
  • Grows the next level of managers and leaders

In addition, you will have built:

  • The capacity to deliver quicker, better and more impactful results through your team and your colleagues at work
  • An understanding of the value & impact of coaching
  • The motivation, confidence and skills to have impactful coaching conversations at work
  • The ability to identify where coaching can be used to improve performance in your team
  • The ability to use practical coaching skills with your team in a variety of situations including feedback sessions, development conversations, team and individual meetings and in any situation where you are aiming to increase performance and results.
     

Do I need to prepare anything before or after the session? 
Participants on this programme will have access to an online whiteboard and document repository for up to 3 months after completing the programme and all resources will continue to be available to them over this time. In addition, they can download materials locally and these will be available to them forever.

Pre work will include:

  1. Read the article ‘Leveraging the Coaching Revolution’
  2. Learn about the difference between coaching, mentoring, training, and managing as well as what coaching is and what it is not
  3. Set your own objectives for attending the programme and enhancing your mindset and skills as a people manager

Post course work will include:

  1. Completing actions committed to in personal action plan
  2. 2 peer coaching sessions over the following 3 months focused on their development as a people manager and specifically the development of their coaching skills and practice
  3. Updating of actions and impact on digital whiteboard before action learning set.

A one-hour, online, action learning set will be facilitated by the trainer 2 months after the programme so that the participants can share experiences and learnings with one another and problem solve as needed.

Booking:
For details of upcoming events or to book your place on available courses, please visit the HR - Professional Development booking centre  If your chosen course is fully booked or no longer available, you can access the UCD LinkedIn learning portal via your UCD Connect login where you will find a range of eLearning courses. 

If you have any further queries on this programme, please contact peopledevelopment@ucd.ie or call ext 4919.

Who is this course for? 
This course is for all staff members interested in developing their leadership potential.

The course explores how each learner can realize their leadership potential by setting an example, taking initiative, taking ownership, being accountable, finding solutions to problems, influencing others and by supporting your colleagues.

Each learner will leave the course with the knowledge that every employee has the potential to lead.

How long is this course?
This is a 3.5-hour workshop - including 15-minute breaks

What topics will be covered? 
This course is highly practical and interactive and includes discussion, exercises and activities based on real world scenarios. Our trainers will also encourage learners to bring in their own experience and discuss practical, local examples where relevant.

Topics covered:
● What is a mindset and how can we change it?
● Adopting a Leadership Mindset - why bother?
● Leadership characteristics to develop - Responsibility; Empowerment; Accountability; Continuous Improvement; Inclusivity, Diversity
● Hearing and making effective use of feedback received
● Setting SMART goals for yourself that align with UCD core values and your P4G

Do I need to prepare anything before or after the session? 
To gain the maximum benefit from the course each learner will receive reading materials before the course begins which introduces the concept of Fixed and Growth Mindsets. We also recommend learners watch this LinkedIn Learning session on Leadership Mindset.

Booking:

For details of upcoming events or to book your place on available courses, please visit the HR - Professional Development booking centre  If your chosen course is fully booked or no longer available, you can access the UCD LinkedIn learning portal via your UCD Connect login where you will find a range of eLearning courses.

If you have any further queries on this programme, please contact peopledevelopment@ucd.ie or call ext 4919.

Who is this course for? 
This course is aimed at all staff members. The aim of this workshop is to draw on the best resource of course participants, their ability to think clearly and with confidence in all situations.  

How long is this course?
This is a 3.5 hour workshop - including one 15 minute coffee break.

What topics will be covered?
In any leadership, negotiation or communication situation, ‘Sharp Thinking’ teaches how to be smart during meetings and discussions.  The course will help develop the clarity of thought and reasoning skills to deal effectively with colleagues, regulatory bodies, clients and students.

Learning outcomes will include the ability to:

  • Have clear Focus
  • Ask the Right Questions
  • Change Negative Thinking into Positive Action
  • Communicate ideas in a way that makes sense to others

Do I need to prepare anything before or after the session?
To gain the maximum benefit from the course, participants will be asked to consider a leadership issue that they would like to bring to the workshop.  These will be discussed during the course exercises and will help achieve the learning outcomes above.

Tutor course notes will be distributed after the course to enhance further learning.

Booking: 
For details of upcoming events or to book your place on available courses, please visit the HR - Professional Development booking centre  If your chosen course is fully booked or no longer available, you can access the UCD LinkedIn learning portal via your UCD Connect login where you will find a range of eLearning courses. 

If you have any further queries on this programme, please contact peopledevelopment@ucd.ie or call ext 4919.

The "THRIVE - Leadership in Research" 2023 Programme is a joint initiative between UCD People and Organisation Development and UCD Research in consultation with our training partner 64 Million Artists. This important programme will contribute to the development of our UCD Faculty members at Lecturer/Assistant Professor or Associate Professor level and supports the delivery of UCD’s strategic plans.

The programme equips participants with the skills, knowledge, behaviours and confidence needed to realise their ambitions in UCD. Utilising a holistic approach, it provides a significant opportunity for Assistant Professors/Lecturers and Associate Professors across all disciplines to develop leadership and innovation skills in a group environment with peer-to-peer collaboration and networking.

Find out more about "THRIVE - Leadership in Research" and submit your application on our dedicated webpage.

UCD People & Organisation Development

Roebuck Offices, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
T: +353 1 716 4919 | E: peopledevelopment@ucd.ie