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Leading People

Page updated 5 September 2023

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.

RISE Together was hosted by the programme sponsors, UCD President, Prof Orla Feely and Tristan Aitken, Chief People Officer on 10 October 2023. The event was an opportunity for colleagues who had commenced their RISE journey to come together and share the learning and insights they developed through their participation in the RISE leadership programme.

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 programme for those who identify as female. It was developed by the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education in the UK. You can read more about the programme at Aurora | Advance HE

The programme is designed to introduce key leadership topics and skills through four online one-day workshops, complemented by online networking, action learning sets and resources.  Advance HE also host an in-person networking event as part of the programme.

The UCD HR People and Organisation Development Unit support the UCD Aurora cohort by hosting several local in-person events such as the UCD programme launch and closing events, mentee training and a mid-programme review event. On-going support is ensured through institutional mentoring.

Aurora is supported in UCD both by an overall Institution Champion, Professor Regina Uí Chollatáin, and an Aurora Coordinator in HR People and Organisation Development. 

Making an application

The closing date for receipt of applications for the 2023-24 Aurora Programme was 7 September 2023.  

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 185 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. Although the development days are run over 5 months, the mentoring arrangement is for the duration of one year to help participants maximise the benefit of the programme.

Guidance on choosing a mentor is available below:

Aurora Guidance in Choosing a Mentor

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 who would like to improve their self-confidence in regard to their career.

Attendees will leave this session with a deeper understanding of self-confidence and how it can impact people during their career, as well as self-awareness in regard to any confidence triggers they have. 

How long is this course?

This course is 2 hours long.

What topics will be covered?

This course focuses on improving self-confidence regarding our careers. Many people experience imposter feelings or a lack of confidence at different times in their careers. This course will equip the attendees with a deeper understanding of how confidence affects people. Participants will receive practical evidence-backed tips from positive psychology and cognitive behavioural therapy which can boost confidence in the short and long term. The session will focus on self-reflection to allow the attendees to develop self-awareness. 

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

Attendees will be given time to reflect at the end of the session to set a goal with one action they plan to take to boost their confidence.

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.

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.

How long is this course?

The total course duration is 7 hours. This will be delivered over 2 x 3 hour workshops over 2 weeks plus 1 hour Action Learning Set, online, approx. 1 month later

What topics will be covered?

The specific skills focused on in the programme are: 

  • Questioning
  • Listening
  • Empathy
  • Directness
  • Being non judgmental
  • Patience
  • Presence
  • Coaching – what it is and what it is not
  • Key elements of the coaching relationship

Pre work will include: 

  1. Watch a custom designed short video introducing the programme
  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. Participants to arrange 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 
  4. A one-hour, online, action learning set, facilitated by Invisio, 1 month after the programme to share experiences and learnings with one another and problem solve as needed.

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. The materials can also be downloaded locally

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 training is suitable for learners who want to create and develop their leader potential and mindset, and set SMART goals.

On successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:

  • Have more confidence in their leadership potential
  • List the benefits to themselves and the organisation that a Leadership mindset can bring 
  • Describe the four aspects of being a leader that every employee can develop
  • Effectively use feedback to support their own continued professional development

How long is this course?

The course duration is 3.5 hours

What topics will be covered?

The course content explores how each learner can realise 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.

  • 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 

This course is highly practical and interactive and includes discussions 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.

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

To gain the maximum benefit from the course we recommend learners watch this LinkedIn learning session on Leadership Mindset https://www.linkedin.com/learning/leadership-mindsets/how-mindsets-trigger-leadership-styles

Before the course begins each learner will also receive a 3-2-1 Personal Action Plan template. 

Post-training, participants will be led through a short reflective activity which will allow each learner to use this template to record: 

  • Three things they learned/were reminded about during training 
  • Two things they want to action based on the session 
  • One thing they are going to action this week.

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 assist in developing high performance through people. 

Successful leaders know how to drive high performance behaviours with: 

  • Clear Focus 
  • By asking the Right Questions 
  • Changing Negative Thinking into Positive Action 
  • Communicating ideas in a way that makes sense to others 

This course develops these thinking skills in a step-by-step approach that is easy to apply.

How long is this course?

The course duration is 3.5 hours.

What topics will be covered?

  • Gaining Clear Focus
  • Lead with Innovative Thinking
  • Get Connected to the Thinking of Others 

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

Participants will be asked to consider and bring leadership situations they would like to reflect on and improve.

Following the session, course participants agree to use at least one of the learning tools they have used on the course within the next month

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 training is for those new to a people management role in UCD. This practical workshop will provide an opportunity to consider how best to support and motivate others and to build the performance of those who report to you through feedback and effective workload management.

By the end of the workshop participants will: 

  • Understand how they can shift their mindset to ensure success in their new management role 
  • Feel more confident in their management skills 
  • Have learned a practical approach to delegating to their team 
  • Understand how to support and motivate others 
  • Have had the opportunity to practice giving and receiving feedback 
  • Have created a personal action plan and objectives for the next 6 months

How long is this course?

The course is 1 day in duration.

What topics will be covered?

Embarking on a new team lead or management role can mean a significant shift in approach, relationships and responsibility. This one-day workshop will support you to gain clarity and purpose as you move into your new role. Developing an understanding of the core mindset and skills necessary for success as you manage those around you. This workshop will focus on 3 key management skills: 

  1. Delegation/workload management 
  2. Supporting and motivating others 
  3. Receiving and providing feedback. 

This workshop will be interactive, including experiential activities, individual work and group work and scenario-based practice to bring learning to life. Participants will be asked to reflect on their experiences, explore approaches and ideas, and create practical action plans that will address their individual work needs.

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

Participants will be provided with a short questionnaire to complete in advance of the session which will encourage them to develop an understanding of their current approach to navigating challenging interactions.

Post-work:

  • Participants will be provided with suggested reading and further resources, as well as a LinkedIn Learning Pathway of curated content to support their ongoing development
  • Participants will write a “letter to self” outlining their ambitions in their new role. This will be posted to them six months later as a reminder.

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" 2024 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