Prospective Participant Information
Cohort 3
2013/2014
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Chameleon Programme
“Supporting the ever changing role of a University Manager”
Why the Chameleon?
University managers are experiencing pressure to be ‘jacks of all trades’ ensuring their resources are managed
as efficiently as possible. There are inevitable pressures on managers and staff at all levels to deliver agreed
outcomes with the added restrictions of reduced budgets and resources.
The University needs our managers to be resilient, adaptable, influential, creative and optimistic, changing
their technique and style to suit the situation they are dealing with, like a chameleon changes its colour to
match the environment it finds itself in.
Programme Objectives
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To take managers to the edge of their comfort zones, preparing them for challenges ahead
To invoke creative responses to upcoming changes and external influences, harnessing inner
innovative potential
To enhance existing good management practice by providing tools and techniques to deal with day-today managerial issues
To engage with other University managers on a ‘Business Improvement Project’ which will not only add
value to a university process but also build stronger working relationships
Programme Overview
Session
Date
Time
Location
Induction
Operational Excellence
Project Management
No. 1 Business Improvement Project Surgery*
Leading Creative Change (Day one)
No. 2 Business Improvement Project Surgery*
Managerial Conversations
Motivating staff in challenging times
Practical HR Processes – Q & A
No. 3 Business Improvement Project Surgery*
Leading Creative Change (Day two)
Resilience
Presentation Skills
Presentations and end of programme
360 Degree Feedback
*only 1 ½ hours will be needed. Project Teams will sign up to time slots at the Operational Excellence workshop
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Induction
Yellow - Friendly & Exciting
This session aims to set the scene for the start of an exciting and innovative development programme for busy
managers. The programme details will be explained and participants will get the opportunity to consider their
own specific needs for the programme
Operational Excellence
Brown - Simplicity & Dependability
The full day workshop when participants will utilise case study and exercise material to develop participant
knowledge and understanding of the key stages involved in undertaking successful Operational Excellence
Projects. Participants will already be assigned to 4 Project Teams to work on a Business Improvement Project
(BIP) and will be asked to decide upon a project to take forward.
Project Management
Grey - Uniform & Structure
In this workshop you will learn how project management tools can help you plan, monitor and control your
projects in a structured and timely way. It is a very practical session which will give you tools to use with your
Business Improvement Project, that are applicable to all future projects, both work based and personal.
Leading Creative Change – Day One
Purple - Stimulating & Thought Provoking
The need to be creative, influential, flexible, adaptable and opportunistic at the University has never been
greater. However, many of us think that we are not particularly creative and that innovation and creativity are
the preserve of a lucky few!
This workshop aims to dispel these myths and to open your minds to try new approaches to old problems.
After looking at some of the key concepts relating to creativity, you will go on to looking at different tools and
techniques to be more flexible or resourceful when facing difficult decisions and complex problems. The
workshop will also help you to start thinking how you can creatively present your Business Improvement
Project to Senior Managers at the end of the programme.
Managing People
Green - Balance & Diplomacy
Bitesize Chunk 1: Managerial Conversations
Being a manager is all about having conversations. In this workshop you will learn how to plan and structure
difficult conversations, so that you get a positive result. You’ll learn tips from the pros – the people who seem
to be able to have those hard conversations like falling off a log! You will also learn practical techniques for
giving feedback (positive and negative) in a constructive way that encourages improved performance.
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Bitesize Chunk 2: Motivating staff in challenging times
In this workshop you will learn how to motivate staff during the tough times, when uncertainty and change
makes it hard for them to stay motivated and productive at work. You’ll explore people’s reactions to
challenging times at work and develop practical techniques for inspiring them to perform well, even when they
feel the chips are down!
Bitesize Chunk 3: Practical HR Processes
This session gives participants a chance to ask Human Resources some questions that could help make the
practical HR processes in the workplace more straightforward e.g. questions on the practical application of the
Capability Procedure or the Sickness Absence Policy.
Leading Creative Change – Day Two
Orange - Vigour & Drive
Building on the creative techniques explored in Day 1 of Leading Creative Change, Day 2 looks at working to
embed change and innovative thinking into the genetic makeup of managers so that they can tackle change
with vigour and the confidence that they are doing it right and getting the best results.
By looking at some of the more popular and practical approaches to change management, delegates will learn
how to overcome the practical difficulties associated with gaining buy-in to ideas and implementing change in
their teams and in the wider organisation.
Resilience
Red - Strength & Courage
To explore how the latest discoveries in Neuro-Linguistic Programming can create and support a positive
approach towards health and well being for self and others (and away from undue pressure and stress).
NLP will assist leaders in building and maintaining the health and wellbeing of their people by learning: to
become more powerfully ‘you’ and motivating those around; how others perceive the world and how this
influences behaviour; to assist others to understand their experience more fully, to enable them to break
through ‘perceived’ barriers; advanced and easy to apply life management skills to put the FUN back into work
and become more relaxed under pressure!
Communication Skills
Blue – Reflection
This workshop will draw on ideas and techniques used by theatre practitioners to help individuals to build
confidence and boost personal performance when communicating and presenting.
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Presentations & End of Programme
Blue – Reflection
This final event gives you the opportunity to reflect on the key aspects of the Chameleon Programme and how
you are using the tools and techniques identified during the workshops. You can also celebrate your success
and progress with your Business Improvement Project.
Business Improvement Project
The Business Improvement Project (BIP) provides an opportunity for you to work as part of a team with fellow
participants to investigate how well a key process area or activity is working.
These projects are a practical, informative and engaging way of looking at how well things are working with
the aim of suggesting simple changes that can really make a significant difference to everyone involved.
What to expect from the Business Improvement Project?
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The project will follow a structured method with guided deployment of practical techniques and
teamwork tools to deliver insight and recommendations
Project topics will have been suggested by senior managers and will have their support and interest
Topics tend to centre on workloads, flow of information, timescales, process and costs
The Business Improvement Project will be a ‘live’ activity owned by your team which simply aims to
report on findings and recommendations
Projects will be guided and supported by an external facilitator with over 10 years experience of
working with teams to deliver positive outcomes and experiences
Interested?
Please seek an official nomination from your line manger.
The overall decision for place allocation will be made by Heads of Administration or the Registrar.
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