How can I enable my employees to tackle a problem more autonomously and secure the outcome? How can I motivate staff to devote more time, attention and initiative to projects?

Providing professional advice and support to junior scientists is an important part of leadership in science and often involves a considerable investment of time. Research assistants who work in a proactive, results- and goal-oriented manner take the pressure off professors and supervisors.

Essential coaching techniques support the employees‘ independent and goal-oriented solution finding. At the same time, the potential of employees and doctoral candidates is promoted.

“if only I could have a more productive relationship with my supervisor…my life here would be so much easier!” This seminar nurtures “lateral leadership” skills providing to address ongoing challenges with supervisors and nudging superiors toward the goals that matter most to the participants. Crucially, a series of one-to-one meetings on the second day allow participants to discuss their specific situation, eventual challenges they are facing and possible ways forward to improve the relationship with their boss and supervisors.

“I can see there is something strange going on here in terms of discrimination issues… but what is it? And what is my role in all this?” Targeted at academics, this seminar aims to support participants in becoming more aware of existing forms discrimination, to appreciate diversity and to nurture an inclusive professional environment. In doing so, it encourages participants to become proactive “agents for change” within academic contexts and, also, beyond these. The specific issues covered in the workshop include both gender equality and all forms of discrimination.

Disappointment, misunderstandings, conflicting roles… Even though the working relationship between supervisor and PhD candidate seems to be fairly straightforward, there can be pitfalls along the way. A supervisor must combine discussing issues on an expert level with the role of technical supervisor, which comes with different expectations and demands. This role is often hard to define, because it does not entail disciplinary responsibility. The workshop will show you how to avoid becoming caught between different roles and position yourself in the right way vis-à-vis all actors in your working environment. To this end, we will look at typical conflict scenarios and identify adequate communication strategies.