Relevant Programmes

• Aspiring & Current Leaders Programmes 
• Developing Positive and Assertive Communication Skills 
• Emotional Intelligence 
• Knowing Yourself & How You Work – MBTI 
• Mentoring 
• Orientation
• Recruitment & Selection Committee Training 
• Trans Awareness: The Basics
• Unconscious Bias Awareness Training
• Working Effectively Across Cultures 

Senior Leadership Development - Aspiring & Current Leaders 2020

Latest News:   Information below refers to the 2019/2020. Details of the 2021 programmes will be annouced during Semester 1 2020.

A key action point of UCC’s Strategic Plan 2017-2022 is to ‘strengthen leadership development by maximising participation in a dedicated leadership development programme across the university’. This is to meet the goal that all UCC staff ‘are enabled to reach their full potential’.   

To deliver on this, we are now in year three of IMI certified senior leadership development programmes, designed to help develop 'Aspiring Leaders' & 'Current Leaders' in UCC.

These have been developed in conjunction with the Irish Management Institute and are delivered in house by IMI faculty.  Each programme consists of a number of modules.  The goal is to develop the competencies of potential leaders and leaders at an individual level which will in turn contribute to the strengthening of the overall leadership capability within UCC.

Both programmes are framed by a set of leadership competencies – personal, team and unit leadership, analysis and decision making, management and delivery of results, interpersonal and communication skills and self-development.

The programmes distinguish between staff a) new to, considering or interested in a leadership role (Aspiring Leaders Programme) and b) experienced staff typically at Head level or about to take on that role (Current Leaders Programme).

Each programme consists of two modules (2 x 2 days).  Further on-going support will be provided through opportunities for action learning, online resources and institutional level support, including mentoring.  

Note:

Following approval by UMTO on 29^th January 2019, as of February 2019 'all new employment contracts for academics at senior lecturer level & higher and professional & technical staff at grade 7 & higher (or equivalent) are required to participate in the most relevant IMI/UCC Senior Leadership Development Programme to them, to further develop their leadership development capabilities’.   Should you wish to discuss which programme may be most relevant, do not hesitate to contact Anne Gannon (ext.3860) or Mary Horgan (3659) or your HR Business Manager. 

More information:

ASPIRING LEADERS PROGRAMME

CURRENT LEADERS PROGRAMME 

Contact: Anne Gannon, ext. 3860 or Mary Horgan, ext. 3659 or your HR Business Manager.

Updated: June 2020

Developing Positive and Assertive Communication Skills

Facilitators: Anne Gannon, HR, & Brenda Nestor, UCC Careers Services

Taking a practical and involved approach, through discussion and various activities, this workshop will enable participants to both identify and practice the skills and approaches which enable assertive communication.

Topics covered include: recognising assertive behaviour, identifying the verbal and non-verbal messages that accompany assertive and other forms of communication,  exploring 10 assertiveness techniques as well as planning and delivering assertive communications.

Take 90 minutes... to learn more about Emotional Intelligence

Participant Group: All Staff

Date: Semester 1,2020

Facilitator: Mary Horgan

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of this short course you will be able to: 

• Define emotional intelligence 
• Understand why it is worth developing 
• Reflect on the Growth mindset v the Fixed Mindset 
• Examine different areas of EQ-i 

Take 90 minutes.... to know yourself & how you work (MBTI)

Participant Group: All Staff

Date: Semester 1,2020

Facilitator: Mary Horgan

Learning Outcomes 

By the end of this workshop you will be able to: 

• Consider individual differences & their impact in the workplace 
• Learn how your personality influences the way in which you work 
• Explore how to appreciate and leverage on our differences for improved team working 
• Reflect on strategies for better engagement with team colleagues 

The option to do an online MBTI questionnaire and discuss one to one with a qualified practitioner will be available to all participants on completion of the workshop. 

Staff feedback

Excellent training session which I know will benefit me & my team!

Became more self aware & conscious of others differences & similarities.

Will definitely recommend this workshop to my colleagues.

Got a really good understanding that there is no 'right' or 'wrong' and how different types can be very beneficial for a team/project.

Recruitment & Selection Committee Training

Participant Group: UCC Staff Members appointed to Selection Committees 

Facilitator: UCC Human Resources

Objectives 

This workshop will enable UCC Selection Committe members to:

• Understand legal & organisational framework surrounding UCC recruitment process
• Understand and exercise your role & responsibilities as a selection committee member
• Recognise the impact of implicit bias
• Develop skills in ensuring a fair and confidential recruitment and selection process and to understand the shared responsibility of the selection committee membership

Trans Awareness: The Basics

‘Trans Awareness: The Basics’ is a 105 min entry-level session that introduces the key ideas and information people need to know about trans-related matters. It is delivered online via Zoom.

Participant Group: All Staff

Date: Semester 2, 2021

Facilitator: Gendered Intelligence

The session will:

• Explain what ‘trans’ means and describe the diversity of those who might use the term
• Introduce key concepts crucial to understanding trans people
• List the main legislation relating to trans identities
• Outline ways an organisation can work towards being trans-inclusive
• Provide links to further resources and help

Feedback quotes from attendees of this training in 2020:

“Really well delivered and interesting session, particularly about the use of language.”

“Excellent and really engaging training. A safe and open environment was created to discuss some very insightful topics. I feel a lot more confident than I did and look forward for opportunities to put this into practice.”

“Clear, inclusive, articulate and compelling.”

“Excellent session. Insightful, well delivered and appropriate for the needs of the group.”

“It was incredibly well presented, pitched at the right level, with lots of small tasks that kept my attention and put my learnings into practice. I felt it was a safe space and the trainers were very knowledgeable, patient and open.”

“Thank you for creating a safe space to ask questions and get a better understanding!”

Unconscious Bias Awareness

Participant Group: All UCC Staff

Facilitators: Anne Gannon & Mary Horgan, Human Resources 

Currently we offer two types of training: a) a shorter ‘Take 90 minutes…’ introduction to Unconscious Bias, and b) a more comprehensive 2.5 hour workshop.

Unconscious biases play a role in our day to day decision making, even though we are often completely unaware of their influence. Our biases are often informed by our own backgrounds, experiences, & cultural environments. This Unconscious Bias Awareness workshop looks at: 

• Diversity & Inclusion
• The nature of unconscious bias
• How it works including affinity, confirmation bias & group think
• The impact of unconscious bias 
• Strategies & tips for managing unconscious bias

Feedback from previous participants:

Very interesting and engaging

Excellent Session

Very enjoyable workshop

Very good and thought provoking

Working Effectively Across Cultures

Details to follow

Facilitator: Marie Therese Shortt, CulturePro

This workshop provides participants with an understanding of different cultural dimensions and communication styles that require attention – and often leads to conflict or miscommunication – when working in culturally diverse organisations/teams. As well as providing fundamental theoretical knowledge, it provides participants with frameworks, exercises and tools for better understanding cultural differences. Topics include social hierarchies, directness, behaviour & etiquette, and gender roles. Through a learner-centred approach, using visual material, group exercises and role play, participants are provided with tools and frameworks to increase their cultural awareness and help them better understand and respond to colleagues of different cultural backgrounds. 

Learning Outcomes

• Have a basic competency in cultural awareness and cultural differences
• Have an insight into theories and tools to become culturally competent
• Understand how to reduce intercultural misunderstanding and improve cross-cultural working relationships