Welcome to our first blog!

We are very excited and proud of the new Your Development programme for the 17/18 academic year, and think it represents a fantastic and diverse range of development opportunities for all staff at Canterbury Christ Church University. It is certainly not something we do on our own, rather in conjunction with collaborators from across the university, and to them we extend a huge thanks. To get a heads up on what’s new watch this short video we have put together: Inspiration here

I want to draw your attention to one particular new aspect of the programme – the Learn and Lead series. Responding to feedback and best practice, this is an exciting, new and complementary approach to supporting our leaders through their development.

It is anchored around a regular series of masterclasses on topics as diverse as encouraging innovation in daily work practices, creating project plans that work, to busting the myths of delegation. These workshops are intended to be focussed and practical, sharing and discussing ideas and techniques that are contextually relevant. You can book onto any or all of them, and we will continue to introduce new topics as they are suggested or become relevant, or repeat sessions if they prove popular. The series kicks off on 6th December, 12.30 – 2.30, with Using Neuroscience to Engage Teams. Book from Friday on your new StaffSpace self service portal.

In addition to the masterclasses we are offering optional 1-1 coaching sessions for managers and team leaders, specifically to provide practical support to enable you to become fully effective in applying your leadership and management skills. Leadership coaching can be incredibly powerful and enables leaders to access the development support they need in a more timely manner than waiting to attend a course. Each stand-alone 75 minute session will be with an accredited coach.

Initially we will be offering 8 sessions per month – available for targeted, single-issue coaching support, rather than as part of a longer term coaching relationship. Find out what dates are available and book your slot by contacting us – the last few slots are still available for the next opportunity on 4th December so do get in touch.

We are keen to continue to innovate our approaches to staff and organisational development, if you have any ideas or comments why not get in touch at staff.development@canterbury.ac.uk

Juliet Flynn, Organisational and Staff Development Advisor