The latest insights on narrative, storytelling and leadership in higher education.
What values will we choose to shape 2020-21? Tweeting with staff developers and coaches, we lift the lid on what leadership, stories and purpose are being called for in the new academic year. As we step into a new academic year, we asked staff developers and coaches what values are being discussed in their institutions? How is their sense of…
In the frame of Black Lives Matter, is it time to find more fundamental ways to open our hearts and minds to greater humility, humanity and bravery in building our cultures at work? Undoubtedly, yes. But who should we look to, to unlock this potential? There’s a subdued frisson in the air. That ‘back to school’ feeling. September is around…
At the same time as restaurants are opening up again, university colleagues who are hungry for leadership might find opportunities to make an impact by trying something different on the menu. Academic Director Paul Gentle explores. One thing has become crystal clear to me since I started facilitating online programmes recently: there’s some outstanding work being done by academic and professional…
Seeing off a voice of doubt, Paul Gentle makes the case that intentional use of play at work can unlock greater collaboration and imagination, and suggests three ways you can do this with your own team. What better venture is there for any of us than to try working with others to create something that’s stronger, more imaginative, more impactful…
Is it time to think about leading with emotions that connect – like love – rather than those that disconnect? Leading with love is a choice. In 2020, let’s start choosing more of it. Is it finally time to think about leading with emotions that connect, rather than disconnect?” In 2020 the world has held a mirror up and asked…
With so much happening in the world, it can be hard to overcome a feeling that there’s always something around the corner: white noise in the background. In search of some certainty and focus, I’ve been out and about in the virtual world looking for hope, positivity and even levity in lock-down life. Here’s some gems, I hope they bring…
Purpose is in our nature. So why do we often forget how important it can be to our professional lives? When we’re motivated by what is right and when we can see how our work connects with a purpose greater than ourselves, this is when we can make the biggest difference to the people we work with and lead. Reimagined…
Honest feedback is hard. Hard to listen to, and hard to give. So does feedback work best in the structured moments we’ve made for it? Or should we embrace it in all the moments in-between? Drawing on her own experience, Louise Clifton explores. I wrote this blog in early 2019. Back then, I thought I was writing about feedback and…
Should we be thinking harder about the way we work in higher education? I went to hear from the Corporate Rebels to find out what higher education can learn from game-changing organisations across the world. Here’s what a revolution could look like. Could a university completely decentralise power and structure itself around small, self-managing teams?” Two weeks ago I attended…