UNDA Leadership Program

The UNDA Leadership Program is a comprehensive program designed to cultivate and refine the leadership capabilities of our mid to senior-level managers. Through a combination of interactive workshops, expert-led seminars, and hands-on projects, participants will gain invaluable insights and practical skills essential for effective leadership in a University environment. The program aims to recognise, empower and mentor leaders who have demonstrated exceptional promise, supporting them to excel in their role and advance to the next level in their leadership journey.

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Applications close 30 April 2025.

Program summary

UNDA recognises the importance of developing our leaders to be inspirational people leaders that can deliver on our strategic priorities. This program is designed to identify, empower and develop current leaders, and those who have shown exceptional potential to take the next step in their leadership journey. The program provides opportunities for:

• Leadership Development: The program will focus on building critical leadership skills, including communication, decision making, strategic thinking and team collaboration. Participants will have access to workshops and training sessions to accelerate their growth.
• Individualised and Group Coaching: Each participant will be paired with a dedicated leadership coach who will provide personalised guidance (based on their 360° survey results) and support throughout their journey on the program.
• Networking Opportunities: Our leadership program will provide opportunities to foster connections and collaboration between participants, enabling all leaders to learn from each other.
• Regular Check-Ins: We will continually evaluate the progress of participants through their Performance Development Plans, feedback mechanisms and regular check-ins with both the participant and their manager.

Outcomes

This program nurtures the growth and development of our leaders and supports their professional and career development.

As part of this program, participants will work in small groups throughout the program unlocking their leadership potential and driving impactful change.

The project work offers participants a rich and multifaceted learning experience that fosters practical application, experiential learning, collaboration, leadership development, networking, and demonstrable impact.

1. Stronger self-awareness and leadership mindset.
2. Enhanced ability to manage and develop high-performing teams.
3. Improved strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
4. Stronger communication and influence abilities.
5. Demonstrated leadership in real-world projects.
6. Ongoing development through coaching and mentoring relationships.

Facilitators

At the heart of the UNDA Leadership Program are our experienced internal facilitators, dedicated to guiding and empowering participants on their leadership journey. With a wealth of expertise and a passion for developing leaders, our facilitators bring a unique blend of knowledge, skills, and real-world experience to the program.

Modules and assessments

• Program orientation

  Objective: Set the stage for the program, build relationships, and establish clear development goals.

  Key Activities:

  • Introduction to the program and leadership competencies
  • Setting personal leadership goals and identifying key development areas
  • Orientation on coaching and mentoring
  • Formation of cross-functional groups for the project
  • Introduction to group project (project scope, objectives, and milestones)

• Module 1: Self-Awareness & Leadership Mindset

  Objective: Build foundational leadership skills with an emphasis on self-awareness and personal growth.

  Key Topics:

  • Emotional Intelligence (EI) and leadership
  • Identifying and leveraging your leadership style (e.g., DISC, Myers-Briggs)
  • Creating a growth mindset

  Key Activities:

  • Self-assessment and EI feedback
  • Group discussion on leadership challenges and personal experiences
  • Coaching session focused on self-awareness
  • Begin team collaboration on the group project (brainstorm and define initial roles)

  Project Milestone:

  • Teams define the scope, goals, and team roles for the project. Establish timelines and project deliverables.

• Module 2: Building High-Performance Teams

  Objective: Strengthen skills in team leadership, collaboration, and conflict resolution.

  Key Topics:

  • Understanding team dynamics and fostering collaboration
  • Building trust and psychological safety within teams
  • Managing conflicts and facilitating difficult conversations

  Key Activities:

  • Team-building exercises and workshops on trust-building
  • Real-world case studies on managing team dynamics
  • Peer mentoring sessions to discuss challenges in team management

  Project Milestone:

  • Teams should complete their research and strategy planning for the project and begin executing on initial tasks.

• Module 3: Communication & Influence

  Objective: Master communication techniques to influence, inspire, and lead teams effectively.

  Key Topics:

  • Active listening and feedback techniques
  • Influencing without authority and stakeholder management
  • Delivering difficult messages and having impactful conversations

  Key Activities:

  • Role-playing exercises on communication and conflict resolution
  • Peer feedback sessions to enhance communication skills
  • Mentoring session on influencing others and navigating office politics

  Project Milestone:

  • Teams will refine their communication strategies and presentation skills. Deliver a mid-project progress update to key stakeholders and incorporate feedback.

• Module 4: Leading Change & Building Resilience

  Objective: Prepare managers to lead their teams through change and build resilience in the face of challenges.

  Key Topics:

  • Change management techniques and strategies for leading through transitions
  • Building resilience for yourself and your team
  • Leading with empathy and maintaining morale during difficult times

  Key Activities:

  • Change management case studies and discussion
  • Workshops on building resilience and adapting to shifting priorities
  • Peer group discussions on leadership during crises

  Project Milestone:

  • Teams complete and present their group projects, showcasing the results and lessons learned from their leadership journey. Present final project to senior leaders for feedback.

• Module 5: Strategic Thinking & Decision-Making

  Objective: Develop the ability to think strategically and make informed, data-driven decisions.

  Key Topics:

  • Aligning team goals with organisational strategy
  • Data-driven decision-making and risk management
  • Identifying opportunities and managing change

  Key Activities:

  • Strategy simulations and decision-making exercises
  • Feedback sessions to assess decision-making in real scenarios
  • Group discussions on aligning project goals with organisational objectives

  Project Milestone:

  • Teams apply strategic thinking to adjust project scope or address emerging challenges. Present interim findings to mentors for feedback.

• Module 6: Performance Management & Feedback

  Objective: Equip managers with the tools to effectively manage performance, give feedback, and foster growth.

  Key Topics:

  • Setting clear expectations and SMART goals for team members
  • Giving and receiving constructive feedback
  • Coaching for performance and career development

  Key Activities:

  • Role-play feedback sessions and practice delivering performance reviews
  • One-on-one coaching session to refine feedback and performance management skills
  • Peer mentoring focused on performance management challenges

  Project Milestone:

  • Teams evaluate and adjust project progress. Managers provide feedback to team members to improve outcomes and finalize the deliverable.

• Group project

  Objective: Apply leadership skills to solve a real-world organisational problem or opportunity.

  Structure:

  • Team Collaboration: Participants will be divided into small, cross-functional teams and tasked with tackling a real business challenge. This could involve improving a team process, launching a new initiative, or addressing a current organisational need.
  • Project Phases:
    1. Initiation: Define the project scope, goals, and roles (Module 1).
    2. Planning & Research: Conduct research and plan strategies (Module 2).
    3. Execution & Adjustments: Implement and refine strategies (Modules 3 & 4).
    4. Final Presentation: Deliver project outcomes to senior leadership, highlighting the leadership strategies applied, challenges faced, and solutions found (Modules 5 & 6).

  Group Project Goals:

  • Apply lessons learned in real-time
  • Collaborate and demonstrate leadership behaviours in a group setting
  • Present tangible solutions or strategies that can be implemented within the organisation

  Project Evaluation Criteria:

  • Alignment with organisational objectives
  • Innovative approaches to problem-solving
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Leadership development demonstrated throughout the project

• Coaching and mentoring components

  Coaching (1-on-1 Sessions)

  • Each participant will have bi-monthly one-on-one coaching sessions to focus on personal development and leadership challenges.
  • Coaches provide actionable feedback, helping participants reflect on and refine their leadership approach.

  Mentoring (Peer & Senior Leader Mentoring)

  • Peer Mentoring: Participants will be paired with a peer from the cohort for regular check-ins, to discuss leadership challenges, share resources, and provide mutual support.
  • Senior Leader Mentoring: Participants are paired with senior leaders within the organisation who will provide strategic insights and guidance throughout the program.

• Evaluation and measurement of success

  • Pre- and Post-Program Assessment: Evaluate leadership competencies before and after the program.
  • 360-Degree Feedback: Collect feedback from peers, direct reports, and managers to evaluate leadership effectiveness.
  • Project Outcome Evaluation: Measure the success of the group project in terms of innovation, impact on the organisation, and leadership behaviours.
  • Program Feedback Surveys: Assess satisfaction, learning outcomes, and areas for program improvement.

Eligibility

This program is designed for new and existing managers at Professional Levels 7 to 10 and Academic Levels A, B and C who demonstrate strong performance, professional behaviour, and a commitment to the growth and success of the University. Twelve participants from across all campuses will be selected for the program.

Application process

Managers interested in applying for this program must first obtain approval from their manager. Once approved, please apply by clicking on the Apply Now link located above. This link will take you to a form which includes an outline of the criteria you must address to assess suitability.

For further information on the program, including dates and module outlines you can contact the OD team organisational.development@nd.edu.au.

Additionally, applicants will need to submit endorsement from a senior leader within their Faculty, School or Division,

Applicants must be available to attend all 6 modules to be eligible.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the program, please contact the Organisational Development Team at organisational.development@nd.edu.au.