Who is this programme for?

BSL is relevant for those individuals who have a significant leadership role within the University, which they wish to explore. It is for those who are collaborating as a leader both across the University and externally, and who wish to broaden their influence and impact across the University.

Up to 22 places will be available, typically for those at grades L and M who have the potential to lead activity at a divisional, faculty or institutional level.

Learning Objectives

BSL participants will:

• Build on their self-awareness and knowledge of their own leadership style, approach and mindset
• Recognise how to effectively build influence and impact with their team, and wide range of people that they work with
• Gain insight and practical knowledge of leadership through a range of models and tools
• Apply their learning to current leadership challenges in the HE context through dialogical discussions with a range of senior leaders and peers
• Identify ways of developing a strategic, sustainable approach to their leadership, whilst working with complexity
• Create strong, supportive networks both during and beyond the programme

Programme Structure

This is a highly interactive programme, in which you will be expected to engage in discussion, individual exercises, self-reflection, and Action Learning, as well as discovering a variety of leadership models and tools and hearing from guest speakers.

Over the course of three modules, the programme explores:

• Realising Self: understanding your leadership style, approach, strengths, and values
• Showing Up: reflecting on the role of mindset in how you impact and influence those around you
• Occupying the Ground: maximising your effectiveness to lead through uncertainty and complexity

The modular programme incorporates a range of learning modes, including:

• Online seminars: to introduce each module theme, explore leadership models and consider how they can be translated into practice
• In-person workshops: to dive deeper into models and ideas through group discussion, activities, and guest speakers
• Action Learning: small group sessions to explore specific leadership challenges in a supportive and confidential space, whilst developing coaching skills
• Coaching: 1:1 sessions with a specialist coach
• Feedback tools: including a ‘360 review’ to help you to understand how others experience the tone and climate you create

The programme is led by our internal leadership development team, with some sessions delivered by external facilitators. Alongside frequent guest speakers, this facilitation approach enables participants to draw on a rich variety of expertise throughout the programme.

Programme dates

The core programme modules will run from February to June 2024, with a Reflective Review session in October 2024. 

• Participants are expected to attend all sessions of the whole programme.  
• All applicants must ensure they hold the programme dates in their calendars. 

You will be provided with resources for individual learning between workshops, and we encourage participants to plan time outside of the scheduled sessions to allow you to reflect on and apply your learning in this way. As a guide, the overall time commitment to engage effectively with this programme averages approximately 1.5 days per month (including scheduled and unscheduled activities). 

Please note that times may be subject to change. Please carefully check the programme information you will be sent before each session. 

In person workshops will be held at Engineers House, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3NB

How to apply 

Applications for the 2024 Leadership Programmes will open on 25th September 2023.

To apply, ‘enrol’ onto the Leadership Programmes 2024: application form in Develop (you must be logged into Develop for this link to work).  

For details about the application process, please read the Leadership Programmes: How to Apply, Terms and Conditions webpage.   

If you are unsure which programme to apply for  

• Read the programme webpages carefully 
• Speak to others who have participated in the programme 
• Attend an Information Session on 27th September or 3rd October (registration will be made available via Develop shortly)

Programme fees

Each participant's Faculty/Division will be charged a participatory programme fee to cover costs: £850

Normally, the programme fee will come out of a staff development budget within your faculty / school / division / department. Speak to your line manager, if unsure.