It is the aim of each Sheffield Leader level to enable and equip participants with the confidence and capabilities to lead the University through the challenges it will face over the coming years.

There will be practical leadership insights, there will be a range of models of success presented that could be implemented, and there will be individual and collective reflections towards practical actions. Discovering new insights about leadership should enable participants to immediately apply these discoveries to their workplace through improved behaviours, actions and processes. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the strategic issues facing HE and UoS and a range of practical responses.

The talent, energy and intellect required to address organisational challenges already reside within the University; Sheffield Leader will therefore help leaders appreciate, learn from and expand their repertoire of practical approaches. Overall it is expected that participants will build their leadership competence and confidence.

What are the expectations? What will endure afterwards?

The intended outputs can be divided into three areas (the 'me', 'we' and 'us' outputs):
i) The development of individuals.
ii) An increase in collaborative practice and new networks being established across the University.
iii) The impact on the organisation of having a broader, deeper, more capable and more confident pool of staff making a contribution to its leadership and governance.

What can we give back? What is our role in the partnership/our input?

To recognise the qualities and accept the responsibilities of being a Sheffield Leader. Also to appreciate that these responsibilities are continuous and not necessarily tied to the possessing a particular leadership position.

More specifically relating to the modules and events, a commitment is sought to full engagement with your cohort, including the work-based elements outside of the modules. Also to implement and advocate practical actions that you think could be beneficial in your current and future leadership roles.

How will the module days be filled?

An outline of events will be circulated in advance of each module. Because the modules are responsive, flexibility has been built in, which is why detailed agendas won´t be circulated until after the preceding event has been reviewed. The fundamental components of each module will though be: inputs and provocations, conversations, facilitated sessions, group dynamics, leadership dilemmas, reflective spaces, and experiential and action-based work.

Will the Sheffield Leader include practical skills sessions?

There will be a wide range of practical insights presented during the modules. How these might relate to individuals´ leadership challenges will vary greatly. The Sheffield Leader is about fostering fresh thinking and innovative solutions, not training per se. The work-based components will though provide an experiential and action-based elements to the modules.

How much time will be required to attend and to prepare for the Sheffield Leader?

Sheffield Leader's sponsors are confident that the time committed by participants will pay back exponentially in terms of the medium and long-term benefits to individuals and the University. Independent research conducted for the University recommended that the optimum structure for successful development of this nature was approximately 8-10 days per participant in blocks of 2/3 days over a period of 6-12 months. Feedback collected from the first Sheffield Leader 4 cohort reinforced that this format was highly effective.

The most important work in preparation for the Sheffield Leader is discussions with line managers on the subject of your current and future leadership role. Limited background reading may also be suggested.

Could you further clarify the role of the proposed work-based elements?

Leadership involves the ability to first understand and then respond to complex situations; interpret information, explore possibilities, develop ideas, experiment and take the initiative, learn from and work with other leaders across the organisation, develop new perspectives, communicate a vision and take action. As the very nature of complex situations is that they are unpredictable and often without resolution, the leadership challenges implicit within the work-based elements generates significant learning opportunities, as well as an enhanced network of fellow leaders from across the organisation, plus the potential for powerful actions from the group itself. Objectives for Sheffield Leader include a need for leaders to work better together and to become more aware of and involved in the strategic challenges facing the University of Sheffield. Therefore, this will present opportunities to reinforce both in putting groups of diverse individuals together to address complex, un-resolvable, but strategically vital issues as they self-organise to generate ideas, actions and recommendations for the organisation to pursue.

How should we describe/communicate the Sheffield Leader to others within our departments?

The value of leadership development, particularly in the context of the challenges the University will be facing, is hopefully something that already has wide recognition. The benefits will be demonstrable over time, but obviously it is not until you are realising these yourself that they will be fully appreciated by others as well.

Leadership development is also just one aspect of the holistic approach that is taken to staff development in the University. That support continues to be available to staff as they progress into leadership role is for the benefit of the whole organisation.

What happens after the completion of the Sheffield Leader modules? What is the long-term follow-through and will it have an effect on succession planning?

To some extent the Sheffield Leader is discrete and will finish with the 'landing' event. The learning, actions and networks should though have a long-term impact on participants and the University.

There is no suggestion that those who participate on a Sheffield Leader cohort will be fast-tracked to more senior roles. The focus is instead on creating a broader, deeper and more capable leadership pool. Having a larger and more diverse group of fully equipped individuals who are able to take on leadership and governance roles will strengthen the University. It will also allow for more collective models of leadership to be utilised within individual departments and faculties.

Will the Sheffield Leader have laid down rules of engagement, such as regarding confidentiality?

Confidentiality will be guaranteed. Points raised and examples given in sessions should always be anonomised and never attributed to an individual if later repeated outside the immediate group.

An individual´s performance on a cohort will not be measured or assessed by the University.

Who pays for the Sheffield Leader?

All Sheffield Leader levels are being been paid for from central funds. This initiative has been a particular priority because of the economic climate - it was strongly felt that confidence and clarity in leading change and developing people were even more important in difficult times.

How are leaders chosen?

Leaders are by definition distinguished by their influence, as much as by their position or authority. An organisation does not choose its leaders, but it will normally seek to utilise their talent in leadership roles.

The Sheffield Leader is designed to develop the abilities of those recognised as being leaders. There will be no direct link between participation and appointments. However, the Sheffield Leader is expected to broaden and better equip the pool for future leadership roles.

How will the expectations of different types of leaders be managed?

The variety of leadership journeys and experiences that participants bring to a cohort is something that will only enrich it. While there will be differences between the more and less experienced participants, and between those where leadership roles are rotated and those where they are not, the commonality is that all the participants have a crucial role to play in the current and future leadership and governance of the University. The range of insights presented will also mean that different aspects can be taken away and applied differently depending on the individual and their local situation.

I am interested in taking part in the Sheffield Leader, how do I know which level is suitable to me?

There is guidance available here, although you may feel as though you would benefit from a level different to that indicated by this guidance. If in doubt, you should seek guidance from your line manager, your Head of Department, or your Human Resources contact. You can also send queries by email to lmd@sheffield.ac.uk.

How can I participate in the Sheffield Leader?

For levels 1-3, you must be nominated by your line manager who will follow the nominations process. Participants of Sheffield Leader 4 are nominated by their Faculty Pro Vice Chancellor or by the Registrar and Secretary (for Professional Services staff).

I am unable to attend one of the scheduled dates for this cohort, what should I do?

When you accept a place on the Sheffield Leader, you should ensure you can attend all the sessions for that cohort. In the event of unforeseen circumstances where you may have to miss some elements of the cohort, you should let the course tutor know and they will discuss options with you. One of the integral parts of the Sheffield Leader is the networking and building of relationships across the University, which is therefore reliant upon the same group working through the modules together.

How should I prepare for the Sheffield Leader?

You should ensure that you can make all the dates for your cohort. Discuss the reasons for your nomination with your line manager and explore what they would like to you to get out of it. Some personal reflection on the aspects of your leadership role that you would like to develop will also be helpful.

Will there be a lot of pre-work/reading prior to the start of the Sheffield Leader?

Participants will be asked to reflect on their leadership challenges, their strengths and areas they would like to develop. There is no formal reading or other work required.

Will there be work to do between modules?

Participants may be asked to read a short article, look at a video clip or complete short self assessments/checklists prior to some of the modules to prepare for discussions which will take place in the workshops. These should take no longer than 1 hour.

Sheffield Leader 3 participants take part in Improvement Group projects and some groups do choose to spend some time outside the scheduled sessions working on these projects, particularly to prepare for the final presentations.

Sheffield Leader 2 participants are asked to apply their learning to a leadership challenge in their current role. They are asked to make a short informal presentation at the final event which may involve a short amount of preparation.

Is the Sheffield Leader accredited?

Not at this stage, although this may be an option in the future if participants are keen to pursue an accredited qualification. For more information on this please contact lmd@sheffield.ac.uk.

Will I get a certificate on completion of the Sheffield Leader?

You will receive correspondence to say you have successfully completed the Sheffield Leader. You will become a member of the Sheffield Leader community, which will give you access to a range of Sheffield Leader community events. You may be asked to contribute to the Sheffield Leader community by either speaking to future Sheffield Leader cohorts or becoming a coach/mentor to future participants.

Are places on Sheffield Leader cohorts 'first come first served'?

No; this is because cohorts are carefully constructed to ensure (as far as possible) proportionate representation by:
• Faculty
• Job role
• Gender