Leading at Adelaide

Leading at Adelaide is the leadership development framework that supports the development of leadership excellence across the University.

The framework is underpinned by seven critical leadership capabilities which apply to all levels of leaders. Capability development is embedded in all components of the University’s Leadership Development Programs and supplementary of leadership development workshops and activities such as the Leaders' and Influencers forums.

The Leading at Adelaide Framework also informs:

The development of position descriptions for leadership roles
The selection process for appointment to new and/or vacant leadership positions
Planning, Development and Review (PDR) for leaders, including development planning for existing and aspiring leaders.

Leadership for Emerging Academic and Professional Staff (LEAP)

Program launching in 2024

Leadership Accelerator Program (LAP)

Program running in 2024

Leadership groups

Leading at Adelaide involves all levels of leadership at the University of Adelaide. Five leadership groups have been identified:

Leadership groups
Frontline Leaders	Supervisors and Team Leaders who work directly with our teaching, research and professional staff
Professional Staff Leaders	Professional Staff Leaders ensure we have the people, resources, processes and systems to enable excellent staff performance and research achievements
Research and Teaching Leaders	Research and Teaching Leaders uphold and build on our high academic standards, delivering research and teaching excellence
Senior Leaders	Senior Leaders include Heads of School, Deputy Heads of School, Directors, Associate Directors and others at this level. Senior Leaders shape the direction and set the standards for leaders in research, teaching and professional services nationally and internationally
Executive Leaders	Executive Leaders position the University for world class status, set the standards for the desired culture and lead senior leaders in making change happen

Leadership capabilities

All leadership development is underpinned by the University's seven critical leadership capabilities. Identified by a range of our senior University leaders, these capabilities represent the foundation of the leadership capability the University requires to achieve its current and future strategy.

In summary the critical leadership capabilities are:

Leadership capabilities
Strategic thinking and acting	Focusing externally and internally on the things that matter most and considering them from multiple perspectives Bringing insight and innovation to identifying a desirable future strategic position Stimulating progress by communicating the underlying need and purpose for change Implementing an integrated plan to bring about desired changes
Responsiveness in decision making	In the face of ambiguity, making swift decisions in the best interests of the University Clearly communicating the decision, its rationale and reasoning Implementing them with a bias for action
Leading change toward higher performance	Stimulating and guiding deliberate progress toward a clear and engaging goal Supporting people as they and their work groups transition to the new reality Anticipating and removing barriers to progress and maintaining momentum toward success
Thinking and acting as one team	Identifying with the whole of the University as much as with one's own area Thinking 'one-team', collaborating across boundaries and promoting cohesion with others
Communicating with influence and impact	Influencing others' thinking, attitude and action through convincing dialogue based on profound knowledge and credible reasoning Telling a great story with conviction Handling sensitive information and delicate situations diplomatically
Fostering excellence in learning and inquiry	Actively seeking emergent and leading opinion and considering multiple viewpoints Promoting team and organisational learning by encouraging and guiding reflection on work practices to nourish the wisdom of experience and transform knowledge into know-how
Exemplifying personal drive and integrity	Embodying the University's values, being a model of ethical conduct and guiding and supporting others to do the same Constantly aspiring to standards of excellence Persisting through barriers towards goal achievement

To download a copy of the Leading at Adelaide Capabilities, please click here