Leading with Influence Consultations

In spring/summer 2023, we conducted cross-campus consultations to better understand what effective informal leadership at UofA looks like and what the professional development needs of (aspiring) informal leaders are.

What the consultation looked like:

Informal leadership at UofA consultation results
Consultation conducted # of people
Focus groups with Human Resource Partners 33

Focus groups with employees from across campus. Participants were:

Both supervisors (33%) and non-supervisors (67%)

From various employment categories:

  • NASA staff (48%)
  • APOs (17%)
  • MAPs (16%)
  • Librarians (10%)
  • Trust and Research Academic staff (5%)
  • Faculty, FSOs & ATS (4%)

From across campus:

  • Three Colleges: College of Health Sciences, College of Natural and Applied Sciences,, College of Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Eight Faculties: ALES, Arts, Business, Medicine & Dentistry, Pharmacy, Public Health, Rehabilitation Medicine, Science
  • Three Administrative Portfolios:
    • VP University Services & Finance
      • HRHSE
      • IST
      • Shared Services
    • Performance, Analytics & Research Institute
    • VP External Relations
    • VP Facilities & Operations
  • Offices of the Provost and VP (Academic)
    • Dean of Students
    • University Registrar
    • Library and Museums
 83

One-on-one interviews with faculty and staff from across the institution and selected based on focus group recommendations and snowball referrals.

Included interviews with:

  • Vice Provost
  • Deans/Assistant Deans
  • Chair
  • Professors
  • Executive Director
  • Directors
  • Academic Department Managers
  • Team Lead
  • Project Managers
  • Service Designers
  • Union Representatives
 25
Written survey responses 5

Socializing with senior leadership, including:

  • Executive Leadership Team, Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment
  • CGM/FGMs College of Health Sciences
  • CGM/FGMs College of Natural & Applied Sciences
  • CGM/FGMs College of Social Sciences and Humanities
 23
TOTAL 166

Consultation findings:

We shared our findings with every individual who participated in the consultation by video.

 

Next Steps

Consultations + Sharing of Findings
March - July 2023
HRP's; Cross-campus
Prototypes + Skeletons
July - August 2023
With external consultants and indigenous advisor.
Testing
August - September 2023
With small group of volunteers from focus group/consultations. 
Development
September - December 2023
With external consultants and indigenous advisor. 
Promotion + Launch
November 2023 - February 2024
Promotion: November 2023 - January 2024
Pilot launch: February 2024