Aspiring Manager Programme

The programme is delivered in 3 workshops. Throughout this programme, you will learn about the key attributes of a successful manager, the day-to-day activities that managers engage in, the University’s policies and procedures which managers support and develop an appreciation for the common challenges faced by managers. You will be encouraged to seek out opportunities to stretch yourself in your current role. You will also delve into key management skills, including communication, delegation, and decision making.

Ultimately, this programme will provide you with the tools to approach a management role with confidence – a challenge for some as you move away from being colleagues to being a member of management. The skills gained through this programme will enable you to apply practical approaches to challenging situations.

• Understanding the role of a manager in the University.
• Identifying and developing core management skills
• Setting aspiring managers up for success and preparing them for future management roles.
• Creating a network of colleagues from across the University.
• Creating a pipeline of skill ready future managers.

The Aspiring Manager is suited to both professional services and academic staff who do not manage anyone and are motivated to develop into a management role in the future.

The programme runs over 3 half days. Participants must endeavour to attend all 3 sessions. Each half day workshop will include a variety of delivery methods including:

• Group discussions
• Reflective exercises
• Scenarios
• Role plays
• Small group exercises

The programme will take place, on campus, on the following dates:

• Tuesday 23rd April 2024, 9.30am-1pm
• Tuesday 7th May 2024, 9.30am-1pm
• Tuesday 21st May 2024, 9.30am-1pm

Workshop 1: Understanding the Role of the Manager 

Often a strong staff member is promoted to the role of manager with the assumption that they understand what management is; after all they’ve seen their manager in action. For the newly promoted staff member it can be both exciting and intimidating. Managing people is complex as people have different needs and work practices. Moving beyond being a colleague to being a manager can be challenging. This workshop will provide the space and opportunity for participants to explore what exactly it means to be a manager: what is the role all about, what are the responsibilities and what needs to be the key focus for the manager. 

Objectives: As a result of this workshop participants will: 

• Understand what effective management is and how to deliver on the role. 

• Determine the competencies they need to develop to fulfil the role effectively and complete a self-assessment enabling them to set a clear and practical action plan for developing the necessary competencies  

Workshop 2: Communicating with Impact 

When an employee is promoted to a level on the management ladder one of the key challenges they face is communicating effectively with their team members. They can find it difficult to be assertive, to manage a challenging conversation or indeed to give constructive feedback. This workshop will explore how to confidently manage communication with team members. Through role-plays and scenarios team members will understand different approaches they can take to achieve the right outcomes: issues addressed while motivation and engagement maintained. The skill of influencing team members in a supportive manner which is based on respect, not authority, will be explored. 

Objectives: As a result of participating in this workshop participants will: 

• Determine how to assertively communicate with team members, colleagues and management.  

• Apply the C.O.I.N. approach to give constructive, corrective, feedback. 

• Determine how to manage difficult or challenging conversations to ensure issues are addressed promptly and effectively.  

Workshop 3: Personal Effectiveness 

Often people complain about the need to improve their time management skills. Actually, the issue is really about personal management: managing themselves as they work through tasks that are diverse and complex. New managers need to develop the skills of prioritising tasks, delegating and decision-making. All contribute to them effectively delivering on their role while engaging employees. Additionally, managers need to be confident in the decisions they make and capable of explaining the rationale behind those decisions. This will be explored in this workshop.  

Objectives: As a result of participating in this workshop participants will: 

• Use Stephen Covey’s four quadrants to assess tasks, determine priorities and identify opportunities to delegate.  

• Practise delegating tasks using the six-level framework. 

• Explore a framework for decision making and apply it to a given scenario to build skill and confidence.  

• Understand the importance of goal setting and use that to help them continue with their development.