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Staff and Departmental Development Unit

University of Leeds Leadership and Management Standard - printable version

The Leadership and Management Standard has been developed to take account of the traditions, ethos and values of the University of Leeds.

Working towards achieving our University strategy requires anyone who has a leadership and management role to be able to undertake that role in a way that is not only effective but is also consistent with our values. It is vitally important in times of significant change to build and enhance the positive collegial working relationships that have underpinned many of our achievements so far.

The Leadership and Management Standard provides:

  • A baseline set of behaviours which describe what effective leaders need to be able to demonstrate in the way they work with other members of staff
  • A clear definition of leadership and management in the University context
  • A way of integrating the legislative framework with people’s day to day behaviour
  • A way of recruiting, promoting, reviewing and developing all staff with a leadership and management role

Anyone with people management responsibilities at any level in the University is expected to:

This is demonstrated by:

Demonstrate personal responsibility
  • Behaving in a manner consistent with the University’s values and standards
  • Taking responsibility for own actions and the consequences
  • Acting professionally and in accordance with  University policies and procedures 
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Apply the most appropriate leadership approach in any given situation
  • Building trust to ensure engagement and commitment
  • Treating staff fairly, with respect and dignity
  • Achieving outcomes by balancing the needs of the task, team and individual
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Establish a clear sense of strategic purpose and direction
  • Defining and communicating a vision for the team
  • Developing strategic plans, with clear objectives, for own area of responsibility
  • Enabling staff to understand their contribution to, and responsibility for, the achievement of the strategy and plans
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Plan and prioritise resources to achieve desired results
  • Making, communicating and monitoring plans for short, medium
    and long-term
  • Ensuring the right skills and resources are in place to achieve the desired results
  • Using management information effectively to monitor performance
    against plans
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Communicate effectively

  • Sharing information in a timely manner, using appropriate
    language and methods of delivery
  • Encouraging and actively listen to the ideas and suggestions
    of others, incorporating appropriate changes as a result
  • Communicating with integrity and sensitivity
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Make efficient and effective decisions
  • Involving the relevant people in the decision-making process
  • Assessing and balancing risks to make appropriate and timely
    decisions to meet objectives
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of decisions made in terms of outcome and process                             Back to the image map

Build and develop a positive team environment
  • Engaging the team with a shared purpose and objectives
  • Developing and maintaining collaboration and productive working relationships within and between teams, managing conflict where necessary
  • Reviewing progress against objectives and celebrating success
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Improve performance through people
  • Clarifying expectations with individuals and agreeing clear
    performance objectives, through induction, probation and SRDS
    as appropriate
  • Ensuring appropriate development to support the achievement
    of objectives
  • Using constructive feedback to evaluate performance and
    development on an on-going basis to support appropriate
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Motivate, engage and support staff
  • Harnessing the diversity of individual skills and expertise to
    generate commitment
  • Recognising effort, initiative and achievement
  • Monitoring and supporting the health and wellbeing of staff
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Create the conditions required for positive change
  • Analysing, on an on-going basis,  the need for change
  • Consulting and communicating with staff, students and other stakeholders, as appropriate, to generate options
  • Implementing and sustaining action to achieve the desired outcome, empowering others to take the necessary action
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