Leadership Foundation

University of Kent

The University of Kent has recognised that to respond to challenges organisationally, we need to embrace change, be more agile and responsive to the external environment, and increase capacity for coping with uncertainty. All of these challenges have implications for staff and we need staff at all levels making positive change happen. This involves utilising the skills of our staff by recognising these skills, giving them the space and confidence to develop their capabilities, supporting them in their growth and success, harnessing their energy, ideas, inspiration and commitment and influencing others to do the same.

At an organisation level, the benefits of the Leadership Programme for Professional Services Managers (LPPSM) are enormous and include improved cross-university collaboration, deeper alignment of administrative processes, clearer understanding of the importance of managers’ initiative in realising the institutional plan, and an enhanced reputation for the university as a flexible and change-ready organisation.

As a programme cohort, participants develop an increased understanding of the strategic context and the challenges facing managers across the university; improve their capacity to support the performance and development of others as well as their ability to influence and have an impact on others outside their immediate area; improve relations and increase respect for professional expertise outside their home department or school; and become more aware of the importance of continuing and sustaining their own development through peer coaching and networks.

At an individual level, participants are able to enhance their own leadership capability; increase their understanding of their own preferences and working styles and those of colleagues across the university; create and work with a focused personal development plan (PDP); and create a clearer picture of where expertise, experience and knowledge exist across schools and departments.