Aurora Leadership Foundation for HE
Power and Politics
The second Leadership Foundation Aurora event took place last Friday in Glasgow at the Marriott Hotel. The day was focused around the theme of Power and Politics. The preparatory reading and tasks involved reflecting on the management and leadership of your organisation and who has the power and influence. There were two articles to read about women in the workplace and self-awareness and also about personality and perceptions. It is thought provoking, and at times frustrating, to consider these issues and realise that it is difficult to influence perceptions and impressions. Does competence have to take second place to warmth and likability? Is it an either or? Can you be successful by competence alone? Probably not, you need to connect with people.
Unlike the previous event, this time we were allocated tables so that we would be sat with a group of delegates for the day and this group will become our action learning set.
As at the last event Ginnie Willis, the Aurora Programme Director introduced the day and emphasised the importance of networking and making the most of the opportunities that the Aurora programme offers.
She then handed over to Rosemary Stamp who facilitated the day. She talked about the importance of power and politics in HE and that now is an opportunity to use new skills and new approaches. There is a growing realisation that the skills that women have are useful to HE and business.
I find it is very useful listening to successful women explaining about how the system works and giving insight into subjects such as power and politics. There is always that feeling, and I think that it is shared by many women, that politics is there and you could of course ignore it or opt out of it, but to be successful you have to understand it. If only you could just be competent and honest and do a good job.....but on the other hand it is good to connect, collaborate and share.
There was a discussion about understanding the culture of the institution that you work within, making the most of the opportunities and using emotional intelligence.
One of the main speakers of the day was Ann Priest, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of College of Art & Design at Nottingham Trent University. She gave a very interesting talk about how she has got to where she is today and the successes she has had and also some insights into challenges along the way. She talked about self esteem and belief and integrity. Also about having a passion for a subject and having a big idea. Some of these ideas were ones that Lesley Yellowlees raised last time about having a specialty, something that you're very good at and then move on from there. I think this is easier for academics or people with vocations and also do you lose all of this, by necessity, when you become a senior manager?
We then talked quite a bit in our groups about different networks including formal networks, informal networks, cross-organisational networks, expert groups, mentors etc. It was interesting to find out from other delegates which networks they value and for what purpose.
We talked a bit about goals and how to communicate your goals to others. How to make sure that communication is clear and that other people understand the purpose of your role or service. This is definitely something that I have to keep working at - I'm aware that sometimes I have been thinking and planning things so much that when I come to communicate it to others I explain in my way rather than fitting it to those on the receiving end. i miss out chunks because it seems obvious to me but it can appear unclear. There were some suggested books about communication so I will look for them.
There was some discussion about negative aspects in organisations and this is something that I think is essential. There is absolutely no point being negative - even if something is wrong because it's unlikely it will change back. You've got to see it as an opportunity to change something forward.
There was an emphasis on the day on being self aware and being aware of your environment and making the most of it. Also on the importance of networking and making connections - networking provides access to information, jobs, opportunities, feedback, support, political advice and protection.
I very much enjoyed the day and am looking forward to our next day which will be working in our action learning set.
There was a discussion about understanding the culture of the institution that you work within, making the most of the opportunities and using emotional intelligence.
One of the main speakers of the day was Ann Priest, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of College of Art & Design at Nottingham Trent University. She gave a very interesting talk about how she has got to where she is today and the successes she has had and also some insights into challenges along the way. She talked about self esteem and belief and integrity. Also about having a passion for a subject and having a big idea. Some of these ideas were ones that Lesley Yellowlees raised last time about having a specialty, something that you're very good at and then move on from there. I think this is easier for academics or people with vocations and also do you lose all of this, by necessity, when you become a senior manager?
We then talked quite a bit in our groups about different networks including formal networks, informal networks, cross-organisational networks, expert groups, mentors etc. It was interesting to find out from other delegates which networks they value and for what purpose.
We talked a bit about goals and how to communicate your goals to others. How to make sure that communication is clear and that other people understand the purpose of your role or service. This is definitely something that I have to keep working at - I'm aware that sometimes I have been thinking and planning things so much that when I come to communicate it to others I explain in my way rather than fitting it to those on the receiving end. i miss out chunks because it seems obvious to me but it can appear unclear. There were some suggested books about communication so I will look for them.
There was some discussion about negative aspects in organisations and this is something that I think is essential. There is absolutely no point being negative - even if something is wrong because it's unlikely it will change back. You've got to see it as an opportunity to change something forward.
There was an emphasis on the day on being self aware and being aware of your environment and making the most of it. Also on the importance of networking and making connections - networking provides access to information, jobs, opportunities, feedback, support, political advice and protection.
I very much enjoyed the day and am looking forward to our next day which will be working in our action learning set.
