The UTS Leadership, Excellence, Accelerated Development (LEAD) Program is an initiative developed by the People and Culture Unit at UTS in collaboration with PLUS UTS Business Futures.
Spearheaded by Professor Natalia Nikolova and a team of expert facilitators, the program aims to empower early and emerging leaders from across UTS by equipping them with essential leadership skills and practical tools and techniques enabling them to create positive change for their teams. Designed amidst a backdrop of significant changes in the higher education sector, the LEAD program focuses on enhancing leadership capabilities to navigate uncertainty and drive strategic initiatives effectively.
Over a course of six months, participants gain insights into self-awareness, fostering a positive team culture, strategic problem-solving and effective communication. With workshops that integrate MBTI assessments, practical tasks, and online resources, the program not only supports participants' growth but also offers pathways for academic recognition. The program’s impact is reflected in the testimonials of its participants, who have reported significant career advancements and skills improvements. This success story highlights the transformative power of the UTS LEAD program.
Program Impact
The success of the LEAD Program is reflected in the testimonials of its participants, who have reported significant career advancements and skills improvements.
Belinda Robinson, Manager of Leadership Development and Capability at UTS, explains, "The People Strategy and the Learning and Development Strategy both highlighted the need for various upskilling programs based on extensive stakeholder feedback. The LEAD Program emerged from this initiative, targeting the upskilling of early and emerging leaders."
Lisa Lake, Centre Development and Partnerships Manager and LEAD Program participant, found the program transformative. "The content around making change in the organization was invaluable. It allowed us to step back from day-to-day tasks and reflect on what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change. The facilitators emphasised the importance of scheduling time to think differently about big projects, which was a game-changer for me."
Amanda Lizier, Senior Lecturer in the Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Unit, highlighted the networking opportunities. "Meeting people from across the university and building a network of peers at similar career stages was incredibly valuable. It helped break down silos and foster collaboration."
Success Stories
Participants have experienced tangible benefits from the program. Belinda Robinson shared, "One academic attributed her recent promotion to the skills and insights gained from the program. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants using the tools and activities in their roles and supervisors noting the program’s impact."
Lisa Lake added, "The program provided insights into dealing with different perspectives, especially in my role, which involves collaborating with UTS and TAFE professionals. Understanding their expectations and pressures has been incredibly helpful in my interactions."
The program equipped me with tools for effective teamwork and problem-solving. I recently secured a promotion, and I believe the LEAD Program played a significant role in that achievement.
– Amanda Lizier
Collaboration with PLUS UTS Business Futures
The collaboration with PLUS UTS Business Futures has been a key component of the program’s success. Belinda Robinson praised the partnership, stating, "This collaboration has been exceptional. PLUS UTS Business Futures has been accommodating at every step, and the quality of the program is outstanding." The power of the collaboration has also been commented on by the COO Glen Babington, marking it as a pioneering effort.
Looking Ahead
The LEAD Program offers participants the opportunity to earn six credit points towards the UTS Executive MBA. This academic recognition, combined with digital badges and practical learning, provides significant benefits both within and outside the university.
Belinda Robinson concluded, "The consistency in product, experience, and language around leadership development is crucial. We highly recommend other UTS faculties engage in programs like this, and we are eager to explore additional programs provided by PLUS UTS Business Futures."
Lisa Lake and Amanda Lizier echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the program’s value in providing time for reflection, expert feedback, and insights into higher education's unique context.
The LEAD Program at UTS stands as a testament to the transformative power of strategic leadership development, empowering emerging leaders to navigate challenges and drive positive change.
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