Leadership Development 3 - Elevate strategic mindset and management practices to lead with impact
Course Overview
This senior leadership programme equips senior leaders (professional and academic) with the emotional intelligence, strategic agility, and change leadership skills needed to thrive in a dynamic higher education environment. Participants will align their leadership practices with organisational values to foster trust, resilience, and future-readiness across their teams and the wider university organisation.
Scroll below for more detail and application form.
Audience
Individuals currently in senior leadership roles who lead the University, a function or managers, e.g. College Officers, SAO1, SAO2, SAO3, and Academic, Research or Technical staff currently in leadership roles for whom these learning outcomes are relevant as agreed with the person to whom they report.
Programme-Wide Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate enhanced self-awareness and emotional intelligence to lead with authenticity and empathy.
- Apply adaptive leadership strategies that foster trust, collaboration, and engagement across diverse academic and professional contexts.
- Navigate change effectively and support resilience in themselves and others during periods of institutional transition.
- Align leadership behaviours with organisational values, culture, and strategic priorities to drive sustainable impact.
- Strengthen decision-making, communication, and feedback practices to lead with clarity, purpose, and influence.
Module-Level Learning Outcomes
Module 1: Leading with Emotional Intelligence (1 day)
By the end of this module, participants will:
- Identify and know how to apply the core components of emotional intelligence in their everyday leadership practice.
- Reflect on how their emotions, behaviours, and communication style can impact others in academic and other professional settings.
- Know how to cultivate psychological safety and trust through authentic, vulnerable, and values-driven leadership.
- Be able to use conversational intelligence and radical candour to enhance team dynamics and relational effectiveness.
- Be able to integrate emotional intelligence into their leadership approach to support a positive and inclusive organisational culture.
Module 2: Adaptive and Inspiring Leadership, Strategic Leadership and Future-Readiness (1 day)
By the end of this module, participants will:
- Know how to adapt their leadership style to suit varying academic and strategic contexts, fostering engagement and collaboration.
- Be able to build high-trust relationships and empower their colleagues through inclusive, values-aligned leadership practices.
- Be able to apply strategic thinking and scenario planning to navigate complexity and shape future-ready teams.
- Know how to communicate with influence and clarity, using feedback and storytelling to align teams with institutional goals.
- Manage performance and conflict constructively, supporting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Module 3: Leading Change and Building Resilience (1 day)
By the end of this module, participants will:
- Understand the stages of change and apply frameworks to lead successful institutional initiatives.
- Recognise and respond to the emotional and behavioural dynamics of change in themselves and others.
- Be able to develop personal and team resilience strategies to sustain performance during uncertainty and reform.
- Support colleagues’ growth and adaptability through coaching, role modelling, and consistent leadership.
- Align change leadership practices with organisational values to foster a culture of trust, learning, and innovation.
Time Commitment
- Onsite delivery 3 full days.
- Pre-work, participants will complete Insights Discovery Tool.
- Participants will be required to complete some self-directed learning pre and post their in-person workshop.
- Post-course there will be an opportunity to participate in a Community Learning Group.
Three immersive modules
| Date | Day | Description | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 January 2026 | Thursday | 1 day in person | 9:30 - 17:00 |
| 19 February 2026 | Thursday | 1 day in person | 9:30 - 17:00 |
| 27 March 2026 | Friday | 1 day in person | 9:30 - 17:00 |
Cost per person
€720