In recent years, as part of the university’s work with diversity, equality and inclusion, managers at AU have participated in workshops on topics such as unconscious bias and inclusive leadership processes. It is now time for managers to address the need to foster an inclusive workplace culture that gets the best out of the diversity of its staff.
Managers develop their skills to lead diverse groups of staff by training their ability to leverage diversity and manage any challenging issues that arise. By developing these skills, managers also improve their ability to foster a work environment in which all voices are valued and heard – and in which everyone communicates respectfully with each other.
With input from the faculties, AU HR will develop a new training course on leading diverse groups of staff. The course will be voluntary. It will be aimed at both new and experienced managers, and it will focus on empowering individual managers by training them in specific leadership practices that promote an inclusive workplace and leverage the potential of diversity. The course will cover topics such as how to include international members of staff, minority groups, and people in different life phases and of different generations. It will also cover communication style, inclusive language and conflict management.
It will provide a training space in which participants can develop their ability to translate knowledge of theories and methods into concrete practice – based on specific cases and dilemmas. Managers will have the opportunity to give each other feedback and share experiences, which they can use to reflect on their own leadership practices. The course will draw on research in the field with a particular focus on how to support responsible and proactive leadership.