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By taking part in the Queen’s Foundational Leadership Program managers from across the university gain advanced management training and leadership development through learning outcomes including best practices in management, communication and coaching skills and strengthening employee engagement.

However, just as important are the connections and relationships formed through the 18-month program, explains Shannon Hill, Learning and Development Specialist, Human Resources.

“Developing professional networks is crucial to successful leadership,” she says “It is in addition to, but not in a secondary way, to the content of the curriculum. That was one of the reasons we designed the program as multi-departmental, multi-grade level, multi-position, creating as much diversity as we could.”

The latest cohort drew participants from across the university from Physical Plant Services to the Faculty of Law, from Campus Security and Emergency Services to Financial Services.

The comprehensive program helps managers develop their leadership and management skills through 14 full-day classroom sessions. Applying the skills they develop in class, the participants form teams and develop a project that supports an aspect of the . They presented their work to a panel of senior university administrators during their graduation event at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts on May 26.

For Roger Billings, an external consultant and co-instructor for the program with Ms. Hill, it is always interesting to see how each participant develops, from the first session to the final presentations.

“The presentations were remarkable. The reason I say that is because there’s personal and professional growth that occurs over the 18 months,” he says. “We all know what a struggle it is to get prepared properly, get up here and face your colleagues and do what most of us fear, and that’s speaking in front of others. For these folks to be able to do that and do it well, and rehearse and prepare, I have to tip my hat to them. They have really come an enormous way.”

For Marie McCarron, Clinical Services Manager at the Regional Assessment and Resource Centre (RARC), the skills she learned through the Foundational Leadership Program have had an immediate impact.

“My management style and how I interact with my team in the office are completely different now,” she says, describing herself as a “go-getter.”  However, that approach doesn’t work with everyone she explains. “So I completely took the information from the program and changed the way I approach others. The difference has been night and day. I use what I have learned every single day.”

When there were situations that she needed help, the program facilitators were available for further discussions, she adds. Overall, Ms. McCarron says, her experience was extremely positive and has resulted in personal growth as well as a better understanding of the university through the connections she developed.

Visit the Human Resources website to learn more about the .