📆  Friday 1 December 2023

The pandemic and its aftermath have brought about changes to the way it is necessary for leadership to be taken up in organisations. Top-down vertical hierarchies have never been more challenged or challenging to work within – burnout is rife. People’s experience of their own and other’s authority in their work roles has been indelibly transformed. This workshop offers a lens to consider alternate ways of leading in organisations.

Exploring the Experience and Theory of Collective Leadership

Most people associate leadership in organisations with the behaviour and actions of key individuals, leadership that is distributed, shared and collective is often undervalued and misunderstood. Collective leadership, defined as ‘influence that stems from more than a single individual’, offers a lens through which to view interpersonal relationships (leadership residing in the group) and system dynamics (leadership residing in the system). It can also be understood as an approach that highlights the plural nature of leadership in practice.

In this workshop, Professor Russ Vince will explore current thinking about collective leadership. Professor Vince will present his recent research on collective emotion and collective leadership and will create an opportunity for participants to experience and reflect on collective leadership in groups.

The aim of the workshop is to explore and experience collective leadership together,
and to reflect on its relevance for contemporary organisations.

What’s included in this one-day workshop?

After an interactive introduction to the concept of collective leadership, Russ will share some recent research on collective leadership in the context of the 2017 Californian wildfires. This will set the scene for experiential group work, which offers an opportunity to study collective leadership together within the workshop group.

Who should attend this immersive workshop?

This workshop is designed for NIODA community members, students, PhD candidates, researchers, leaders, managers and consultants who want to expand their knowledge of leadership in the plural.

📆 19 April and 20 September 2024

Building Bridges: Unlocking Collaborative Potential Across Teams

This full-day interactive workshop is tailored specifically for corporate managers seeking to unlock the full potential of inter-team collaboration. Gain valuable insights into the dynamics of collaboration among teams operating in complex organisational settings, drawing on principles from group relations theory and the Relational Coordination Model developed at Brandeis University.

At the completion of this full-day workshop you will have:

• insights into the dynamics of collaboration among teams in complex organisational setting

• expanded your understanding beyond vertical/hierarchical work structures by focusing on interdependent relationships within and between teams

• connected workshop learnings so you can map and analyse real-world collaboration challenges within your organisation

• developed strategies for improving collaborative relationships across teams to make a lasting impact within your organisation.

What’s included in this full-day workshop?

Put theory into practice in an experiential intergroup event designed to simulate real-life group dynamics and intergroup relations. Multiple teams participate, each with a defined task and shared objectives, creating a unique opportunity to explore the dynamics of intergroup relations, power dynamics, communication patterns, and other factors that influence collaboration and cooperation. Participants engage in interactions, negotiations, and decision-making processes within the simulated system, allowing you to gain insights into your own roles, behaviours, and the dynamics that unfold between different groups.

The comprehensive debrief that follows the intergroup event is a valuable opportunity for reflection, learning, and deeper understanding of the underlying dynamics at play.

The day also includes a short seminar in which we outline some intergroup theory and introduce the Relational Coordination Model. Emphasising lateral relationships, we’ll delve into the importance of shared knowledge, shared goals, and mutual respect in fostering effective collaboration.

Through exercises that link intergroup event insights and relational coordination mapping, you’ll gain experience and practical tools to analyse and address current collaboration issues between teams in your organisation.

“The intergroup event was an intense learning experience. I came away knowing how I could be a better team leader, and how to engage with my colleagues in other teams.”

– Rhianna Perkin, Senior Consultant Psychologist

“The intergroup event was an eye-opening experience. I understood more of the barriers to collaboration and what to do to overcome them.”

– Cameron Brooks, Leadership Consultant

Who should attend this immersive workshop?

This workshop is designed for team leaders and managers who are eager to transform collaboration within their organisations. It is particularly beneficial for individuals who are responsible for leading and managing in complex organisational settings, where there are interdependencies amongst teams.

Managers who want to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of collaboration among teams will find valuable insights in this workshop. For those who may be familiar with vertical/hierarchical work structures or looking to expand understanding beyond them, this workshop focuses on interdependent relationships within and between teams to unlock the collaborative potential to deliver on shared organisational purpose.

Attend this workshop and gain the knowledge, tools, and strategies to foster effective collaboration, navigate complex organisational settings, and unlock the full potential of inter-team relationships. Become a transformative leader who drives collaboration, achieves shared goals, and makes a lasting impact within your organisation.

📆 16 August 2024

Managing from the middle: The art of influencing up, down and sideways

Welcome to “Managing in the middle: The art of influencing up, down, and sideways,” an immersive workshop that delves into the complexities and pressures of managing in the middle of organisations.

In today’s dynamic and fast-paced business environment, organisational life has become increasingly complex. Managers find themselves at the intersection of various roles, responsibilities, and expectations, creating complexity, and the pressure of constant challenges. Navigating the demands of overwhelmed executives, overburdened workers, dissatisfied customers, and fellow harried people managers can be overwhelming. This workshop is designed to help you deal with feeling stuck in the middle, learning how to influence up, down and across your organisation.

At the completion of this full-day workshop you will:

• understand power dynamics and leadership challenges, enhancing collaboration skills for managing the middle
• identify opportunities for influence from the perspective of managing the middle and navigating tensions between organisational layers
• visualise and analyse power networks within and beyond the organisation, identifying potential collaborators and impact areas for managing more effectively
• apply insights to address current management dilemmas, developing practical strategies for more influence in managing the middle.

What’s included in this one-day workshop?

Experiential learning in a ‘Uppers, middles and lowers’ exercise, based on the work of Barry Oshry (2007), gives you valuable insights into the practical and emotional experiences of roles in a hierarchy. By understanding the dynamics at play and how to influence, you are equipped to interact effectively and navigate the complexities with more confidence.

The workshop also incorporates a seminar on the dynamics of managing in the middle of organisations, as well as a ‘network mapping’ exercise, enabling you to visualise the networks of power and influence within and beyond your organisation. This exercise helps you locate yourself, grasp the interconnectedness of roles, identify opportunities for collaboration, and take a networked approach to managing effectively in and from the middle.

The combination of experiential learning and theoretical frameworks delivers practical insights, tools, and strategies to navigate the complexities of hierarchies, interact effectively, and take a networked approach to managing in and from the middle.

“I found the ‘Uppers, middles and lowers‘ exercise so powerful. It revealed the emotional nuances of each level, which gave me profound insights into my own and others’ experiences back in my workplace”

– Cameron Brooks, Leadership Consultant

“The ‘Uppers, Middles, Lowers‘ exercise transformed my perspective on collaboration and hierarchy – a game-changer!”

– Susan Campbell, Associate Executive Director

Who should attend this immersive workshop?

This workshop is designed for managers seeking to increase their influence and become effective agents of change in their organisations. This includes managers of people and operations. If you value practical frameworks and experiential learning with others to gain a deeper understanding of workplace, this workshop is for you. Expect to come away with actionable strategies for managing up, leading your teams, and building strong networks of peers in the middle.

Join us in ‘Managing from the middle: The art of influencing up, down, and sideways’ to unlock your potential, overcome the frustrations of middle management, and navigate the complexities of organisational life with skill and confidence. Embrace this opportunity to excel as a manager in the middle and make a lasting impact within your organisation.