Theme: Leadership and Management

Better Decision Making: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

Have you ever been in a team meeting where no one voiced their opinions, there was a lack of discussion, and everyone simply went along with the most senior person?

A high performing team is one that is able to bounce ideas off each other, problem solve, and feel comfortable that no one will not be humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns or mistakes. But how can this be achieved?

In this course, we explore what psychological safety looks like in a hybrid environment, what gets in the way of us speaking up, and the science-backed strategies to become a psychologically safe team in today's modern working world.

Access the recording of the Building Psychological Safety in Hybrid Teams Webinar.

Coaching - GROW Model: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

Coaching is an essential tool for managers and other professionals to use to help individuals to unlock their full potential and enhance their performance. You will be introduced to the technique of coaching and focus on the development of a range of skills that may be used to coach others effectively. This course is highly participative and will include the opportunity to practice your coaching skills.

We all have challenging conversations from time to time that we dread. Wishing it would go away rarely works. Having a clear strategy can make all the difference. This workshop is designed to give you the skills and confidence to have a meaningful, productive conversation at work.

This 90 minute scenario-based training, incorporating forum theatre, aims to entertain and inform. You will be watching a live work based conversation and have the opportunity to give feedback and interact with the ‘characters’ to understand and develop a positive outcome. By the end of this webinar you will have a better understanding of how a difficult conversation can go wrong and how to put it right.

We will explore how the best intentions can sometimes go wrong. We will help you build a solid technique to get it right.

The main session is for 90 minutes, followed by optional time for further discussion and Q&A with the trainer.

Managing conflict in the workplace can be difficult, time consuming and can potentially have a negative impact on you and your team. This course will help you to understand some of the reasons why these situations arise, and identify strategies for managing these situations effectively.

Managing and developing talent in your team is a key skill for any manager in order to create an environment for their team to perform to the best of their ability, both individually and as a group.

From adopting a strategic approach to developing talent in order to deliver objectives, to understanding key strategies for developing your team at each stage of the employee lifecycle, this interactive and participative workshop offers you the opportunity to consider how to develop strength in your team, enhance motivation and wellbeing as well as share your experiences with others.

The Staff Review and Development (SRD) process provides the opportunity for supervisors, managers and academics to engage in constructive discussion with their staff or academic colleagues about current and future work and their personal and career development.

This online course, including visual, audio and filmed material, will focus on an overview of the process, practical advice and useful reminders of good practice to help you to make the most of SRD. You will need a PC, Mac or tablet device.

Please make a booking to receive instructions about how to access the online course.

View a short trailer for the online course.

Feedback Model: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

Feedback Tips: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

GANTT Charts: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

Giving effective feedback to your team members is one of the key responsibilities of anyone who supervises or manages others. It improves performance, boosts morale and can help people to do their job to the best of their ability.

This course is full of key tips to help you give feedback that is supportive, constructive and helpful and incorporates instructional film resources to help you apply what you have learned. It also focuses on how to avoid common mistakes when giving feedback to others and how to receive feedback well.

As a leader/manager you will have various types of conversations with your team members, this could include giving instructions, coaching, communicating information from others and providing feedback. This podcast focuses on giving feedback and how to do this well. Reshmin Haq from Personal and Professional Development (PPD) is joined by Tracey Boram, HR Shared Services Manager to discuss all things feedback including a model to use when giving constructive feedback!

Access the recording of the Good Conversations Podcast.

Change is constant and inevitable, but how do we do change well? How do we embrace it and how do we get everyone on board? What does successful change look like and what pitfalls should we avoid. In this podcast, Emma Marron, the Head of HR Shared Services at the University joins Reshmin Haq (PPD) and shares her many experiences on change and discusses how to implement a successful change.

Find out more about the Kotter model mentioned in the podcast.

Access the recording of the How Do We Do Change Podcast.

How to Delegate: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

This programme is designed to support leaders and managers across the University (in academic, research and professional service posts) with the skills and insights they need to lead others effectively. It will enable participants to reflect on their current leadership style and provide techniques they can use to effectively manage a diverse range of perspectives and create an inclusive culture across the University. Those with responsibility for others have a key role to play in shaping a positive working environment, supporting progression and ensuring equality, including pay equality. Given the University's strategic priorities, it is critical that leaders and managers understand the impact of their decisions throughout the employment timeline and know how to reduce the risk of sex, race or other discrimination, whether explicit or implicit.

The programme is delivered in partnership with Pearn Kandola, experts in evidence-based inclusive leadership development.

This session will set the scene for those moving in to a role with professional responsibility for other members of staff at the University, supporting their work, behavior and development. As we all know from our personal and professional experience, leaders and managers play a critical role in ensuring a productive, motivating and inclusive working environment.

This interactive session will explore the responsibilities of a manager or leader at the University, introduce tools to support the performance of your team, and provide pointers to where to find important information and further development as needed.

It is aimed at staff across all areas, disciplines, staff groups and levels of responsibility, including staff who are:

• new to managing one or more others
• new to leading a service or research area
• new to Cambridge, either as a new manager or with previous experience

Effective risk management enables the University to identify, assess and seize opportunities which assist in the delivery of its objectives and improve its performance, whilst protecting the reputation and sustainability of the University. The University is committed to ensuring that it has a robust and comprehensive system of risk management in line with the requirements of the Office for Students.

This interactive tutorial provides an introduction to the principles of risk management at the University of Cambridge. The course will give you an introduction to risk management, help you to understand why risk management is necessary and point to some practical tools and guidance to support you in managing risks.

The ability to recruit and retain the best staff is critical to the success of your team and the wider University. Recruitment and retention has been a hot topic across the University over recent months, where we have witnessed increased difficulty in attract staff in a wide range of roles and functional areas. How can you effectively create, describe and promote your vacancies? How do you decide what criteria should be essential and which ones should be desirable? How do you conduct effective interviews, so that learn more about the candidate’s suitability, whilst creating a positive experience for the candidate? In this podcast, Reshmin Haq (PPD) talks all things recruitment with Andrew Rowland (Resourcing Adviser).

Access the recording of the LMN: Recruiting the Right Candidate podcast

Hear from Andi Hudson, Director of HR and primary sponsor for the HR Transformation Programme, as she tells us about the exciting changes that are on the horizon for us all this year and next.

Andi's input covers the work underway to streamline our processes and introduce myHR, the new HR and payroll system, which will give us direct access to our own HR data and relevant information to support our teams, including induction plans and approval of leave. Collectively we will also be able to gather accurate high-level data to prioritise people development across the organisation.

The session also covers what it means for you and your teams, including managing change more broadly as a key part of your role as a manager. Find out how to share your thoughts and ideas about how we can support you in this area, and about the opportunity for you or one of your team members to join the new Advocates network.

Visit HRTransformation to read more about its aims and watch the introductory film from Andi.

Watch the recording of LMN The HR Transformation Programme Webinar.

Access the slides and links for LMN The HR Transformation Programme Webinar.

Further information regarding the Leaders and Managers Network.

Leadership and Management Guidelines: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

The Briefing aims to address key information required for Heads of Institution with regard to finance. Professor David Cardwell, PVC Strategy and Planning and David Hughes, Director of Finance will cover the following topics:

• University financials and overarching narrative
• Planning, budgeting and investment decision making (today and tomorrow)
• Introduction to key Financial Regulations and operational procedures
• Current key transformational initiatives, including the Enhanced Financial Transparency project
• Where to go for help and support

Please note that this session will be recorded and details will follow after the session. There will be an opportunity to discuss points and ask questions once the recording has ended.

Alison will provide you with an understanding of the importance of philanthropy, how it makes a difference for Cambridge and how you can partner in raising private support for departments and the University.

Please note that this session will be recorded and details will follow after the session. There will be an opportunity to discuss points and ask questions once the recording has ended.

The Director of Estates Operations will provide an overview of the Estates Division and various initiatives underway to improve the Estate. 

Please note that this session will be recorded and details will follow after the session. There will be an opportunity to discuss points and ask questions once the recording has ended.

Jo’s briefing will provide you with an understanding of the risks associated with undertaking externally funded research projects and how income from research impacts the University finances, particularly in the current climate.

Please note that this session will be recorded and details will follow after the session. There will be an opportunity to discuss points and ask questions once the recording has ended.

Leadership Essentials is a key programme suitable for those with responsibilities for the work, behaviour and development of others. The programme aims to help managers refresh and build their skills and experience in this area, as well as clarifying key responsibilities of manager and leader. It focuses on critical areas, such as giving and receiving feedback effectively and handling challenging conversations, using leadership styles and models to support individuals and teams. The programme incorporates tutor input; opportunities for discussion, case studies, reflection and sharing of good practice with others with similar responsibilities. It also includes curated e-learning resources to support managers with their ongoing learning and development.

Participants are required to attend both half day sessions.

• Leadership Masterclass: Delivering Impact Working with a Global Network: Bitesize
• Leadership Masterclass: Leadership Matters: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

Ndunge will provide an insight on utilising data-driven approaches to enhance workforce inclusivity through EDI initiatives, fostering an environment of excellence and equality.

Please note that this session will be recorded and details will follow after the session. There will be an opportunity to discuss points and ask questions once the recording has ended.

Leading Change Model: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

Change is a constant feature in today’s workplace and this level of change certainly won’t go away and may indeed become more intense.

Studies show that the line manager has a critical role to play in ensuring staff are ready for change and in successfully implementing it. It can therefore be helpful to reflect on how we personally approach and manage change and how we can lead and support our teams through change.

This online course will give you some practical steps to help you lead your team through change whilst maintaining your own wellbeing.

How do you lead, build and contribute to creating effective Teams? What is the secret map for this? In this podcast, Reshmin Haq (PPD) discusses building effective teams using the Tuckman model with Daniela Manca (University Recovery Programme).

Access the recording of the Let us Talk Teams Podcast.

A LinkedIn Learning course on Crucial Conversations, curated by PPD.

This is provided by the University of Cambridge subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

Please note that your training record on LinkedIn Learning will not currently be available via your training record within the University Training Booking System (UTBS).

A LinkedIn Learning course on Developing People, curated by PPD.

This is provided by the University of Cambridge subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

Please note that your training record on LinkedIn Learning will not currently be available via your training record within the University Training Booking System (UTBS).

A LinkedIn Learning course on Influencing and Negotiating, curated by PPD.

This is provided by the University of Cambridge subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

Please note that your training record on LinkedIn Learning will not currently be available via your training record within the University Training Booking System (UTBS).

A LinkedIn Learning course on Leadership and Management - Essentials, curated by PPD.

This is provided by the University of Cambridge subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

Please note that your training record on LinkedIn Learning will not currently be available via your training record within the University Training Booking System (UTBS).

A LinkedIn Learning course on Leadership and Management – Feedback Skills, curated by PPD.

This is provided by the University of Cambridge subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

Please note that your training record on LinkedIn Learning will not currently be available via your training record within the University Training Booking System (UTBS).

A LinkedIn Learning course on Managing and Leading Remotely, curated by ourcambridge.

This is provided by the University of Cambridge subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

Please note that your training record on LinkedIn Learning will not currently be available via your training record within the University Training Booking System (UTBS).

LinkedIn Learning resources on Project Management, curated by University of Cambridge project managers.

This is provided by the University of Cambridge subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

Please note that your training record on LinkedIn Learning will not currently be available via your training record within the University Training Booking System (UTBS).

A LinkedIn Learning course on Staff Review and Development, curated by PPD.

This is provided by the University of Cambridge subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

Please note that your training record on LinkedIn Learning will not currently be available via your training record within the University Training Booking System (UTBS).

A LinkedIn Learning course on Strategic Thinking, curated by PPD.

This is provided by the University of Cambridge subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

Please note that your training record on LinkedIn Learning will not currently be available via your training record within the University Training Booking System (UTBS).

A LinkedIn Learning course on Team Working, curated by PPD.

This is provided by the University of Cambridge subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

Please note that your training record on LinkedIn Learning will not currently be available via your training record within the University Training Booking System (UTBS).

Management Responsibilities Films: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

For many people having challenging conversations can be difficult and feel uncomfortable; however the ability to be able to talk about sensitive and emotive issues is an integral part of effective line management and can be critical to managing performance, promoting attendance and improving team dynamics.

This course will give you some practical steps to help you handle these conversations better and, where possible, get the right outcome for you, the individual and the University.

Change is a constant feature in today’s workplace and yet many of us find it hard to navigate successfully through change.

Studies show that the line manager has a critical role to play in ensuring staff are ready for change and in successfully implementing it. These sessions will equip you with the skills and attitudes you need to guide, support and motivate your team through the process of change.

Case studies, discussion and activities will provide the opportunity to share ideas and embed skills.

This session is for leaders and managers to consider this part of their role in the context of working in a hybrid environment.

Since March 2020, people managers have continued to support individuals and teams to work together to ensure that key tasks have been achieved whether onsite and offsite. It's been a huge challenge at times – working out how to balance the work whilst maintaining safety, health and wellbeing. The learning has also been huge and this session aims to highlight how areas of practice (that have always been important for managers) have been and are still impacted by current ways of working. Maintaining a sense of shared identity and purpose, as well as ensuring equal access to information, relationships and opportunity, have all become new priorities. We will look at the challenges and opportunities given by working in a hybrid environment, and share ideas and techniques for good practice.

Access the recording of the Managing in a Hybrid Environment – What's Changed Webinar.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is the most widely used personality instrument worldwide, based on over 50 years’ research and development.

It presents a framework for understanding how you operate, how others operate, and how you can use that understanding to get more from yourself and the relationships you have with others.

This workshop is led by a qualified MBTI practitioner and will involve taking the MBTI questionnaire, investigating the four areas of preference covered by MBTI, self-assessment of type with group exercises, looking at your best fit type and investigating how it could help you at work.

Learning about your personality type can help you to understand your role within your team and the role of others. It can also help you to cope with organisational change, deal with stress effectively and develop your emotional intelligence.

Starting something new, a new project, a new initiative, a new strategy is always daunting but where do you start and how and what do you do? What should you not do and who do you take with you on your new venture? We discuss this with Joy Houghton, the Chief of Staff of the University of Cambridge's first overseas research centre, the Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education in Singapore (CARES). In this podcast, find out more about Joy’s work and experience in setting up CARES.

Access the recording of the New Horizons Podcast.

PESTLE Analysis: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

Situational Leadership: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

SMART Objectives: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

This short webinar is a useful refresher about the overall purpose and outcomes of SRD (appraisal) and an opportunity to consider what you can do to help ensure an effective discussion as reviewee and/or reviewer. Whether you work in a research, teaching or professional service area, SRD (appraisal) provides the opportunity for individuals to engage in constructive discussion with supervisors, managers or academic/research colleagues about current and future work and personal and career development.

The webinar will have limited opportunity for discussion due to time, for further content, please view the online module Effective Staff Review and Development: Online Course and the LinkedIn pathway LinkedIn Learning: Staff Review and Development All Staff.

Stages of Conflict: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

Stakeholder Management: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

Strategic Development Programme Films: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

The SDP programme will offer a blend of theory and practical learning sessions, interwoven with the strategy and governance context of the University. This will be delivered over several sessions and put in to practice with a strategic work project.

• You need to meet the selection criteria and complete an application form for the programme.
• Applications will require approval by your line manager and will then be reviewed and prioritised by School Secretary, Head of Division and Head of Institution, Registrary as appropriate.
• Applications typically open in May each year.

Tuckman's Team Development Model: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

For anyone with professional responsibility for others, the style and approach they use will adapt depending on the situation. There is no ‘one style’ that works all the time. In this podcast, Reshmin Haq (PPD) is joined by Alex Drury (Faculty manager for Music) to introduce the Situational Leadership Styles model and discuss his experience of adapting his approach with different colleagues, in different situations and at different times.

Access the recording of the Using Leadership Styles Effectively Podcast.

What Makes a Successful Team: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

The Project Management Community of Practice brings you project management topics in bite sized chunks. Listen to your colleagues from across Collegiate Cambridge discuss all things project management. Click the links below to listen to the podcast:

Podcast 1: Meet the Core Group - Hosted by Ellie Wolmark from the CRUK Cambridge Centre, the Core Team tell you who they are, what their role is and discuss why they joined the CoP.

Podcast 2: Interesting Routes into Project Management part 1 - There is no one route into project management. Tori Helmer and Heather Biggs tell us their stories and give insights into their career journeys.

Podcast 3: Interesting Routes into Project Management part 2 - The second part of this podcast features Bethan Everson and Katie Light telling their stories.

Podcast 4: An Introduction to Communications - Katie Edwards and Craig Brierley give a fantastic overview of what comms entails, and how you can use it within a project for maximum impact.

Podcast 5: An Introduction to Stakeholder Management - Greg Strachan and Sally Measures give their take on Stakeholder Management within a project.

Podcast 6: An introduction to Retrospectives - Holly Cox and Signe Jensen talk about what retrospectives mean within project management.

Starting a new role in any new place of work can be daunting and for a place like the University it can feel slightly more dauting. Giving new starters a warm welcome and a properly planned onboarding process cannot be underestimated for their successful career at the University or any organisation. What does successful onboarding look like, how can leaders and managers ensure their newcomers receive this. We explore this in the podcast from two perspectives, one from a new employee’s perspective and two from a line manager’s outlook.

Access the recording of the Welcome Onboard - A New Starters Journey at Cambridge Podcast.

The Project Management Community of Practice brings you project management topics in bite sized chunks. Listen to your colleagues from across Collegiate Cambridge discuss all things project management. Click the links below to listen to the podcast:

Podcast 1: Meet the Core Group - Hosted by Ellie Wolmark from the CRUK Cambridge Centre, the Core Team tell you who they are, what their role is and discuss why they joined the CoP.

Podcast 2: Interesting Routes into Project Management part 1 - There is no one route into project management. Tori Helmer and Heather Biggs tell us their stories and give insights into their career journeys.

Podcast 3: Interesting Routes into Project Management part 2 - The second part of this podcast features Bethan Everson and Katie Light telling their stories.

Podcast 4: An Introduction to Communications - Katie Edwards and Craig Brierley give a fantastic overview of what comms entails, and how you can use it within a project for maximum impact.

Podcast 5: An Introduction to Stakeholder Management - Greg Strachan and Sally Measures give their take on Stakeholder Management within a project.

Podcast 6: An introduction to Retrospectives - Holly Cox and Signe Jensen talk about what retrospectives mean within project management.