Curriculum managers, heads of schools/departments, and team leaders are pivotal in shaping and innovating services for both staff and students. They play a crucial role in empowering academic staff to help students excel in their learning programs.

What are the conversational leadership skills that work?

From my experience, successful HE managers and leaders thrive by mastering these essential skills:

• Co-creating change: Dive into exploration, engage in innovative conversations, and actively seek feedback on prototypes and pilots. This collaborative approach ignites creativity and drives meaningful progress.
• Anticipating future trends: Offer meetings, programmes, or services that align with the emerging future. This proactive mindset helps others recognise the need for change to thrive and survive.
• Building authentic relationships: Cultivate strong, genuine alliances that enable change through open dialogue and collaborative action. These connections are the backbone of successful transformation.
• Championing core values: Stand firm on values that matter, such as challenging discrimination and promoting inclusivity. With the support of like-minded allies, you can lead with integrity and make a lasting impact.
• Listening with depth and empathy: Show deep understanding and compassion. Truly listening to others fosters a supportive environment where everyone feels heard and valued.
• Handling challenging conversions with care and courage: Address difficult topics with sensitivity and care. This skill is crucial for navigating conflicts and fostering a culture of openness and respect.

Two proven programmes

Our two long-term popular programmes, Handling Challenging Conversations with Care for Staff and Handling Challenging Conversations with Care for Managers, draw upon proven conversational strategies from lived experiences and expertise within and beyond the HE sectors. These programmes empower managers, leaders, and staff to focus on resolution, de-escalate tension, and explore challenges with ease and openness.

One team leader said: “All the team found it really enjoyable and insightful, and we can already see a change in their attitudes and confidence when dealing with situations. Many of our team members felt they needed answers and ‘cheats’ to deal with challenging conversations, but from the two sessions that you delivered, it’s taught them to believe in themselves and trust their instinct when implementing the techniques and solutions you have given them.”

Reading tips for you

To learn more about these strategies you can also read  the chapter on resilience, foundations and awareness (the section on being present) in my book The Really Resilient Guide. 

Also internationally you can find work and case studies on student conflict resolution and student engagement here. 

By embracing these conversational leadership skills, including handing those difficult conversations, you can transform your approach to leadership and make a lasting impact on your institution and its community.