Tufts Gordon Institute recently adapted its masters-level course "Learning to Lead" as an intensive leadership development program for managers of Tufts University’s Division of Information Technology.
The University’s VP for Information Technology and CIO, David Kahle, recognized the need to invest in developing a new crop of leaders and understood that a university-wide IT leadership training program would forge strong relationships and provide Tufts’ IT with the creative muscle and synergy to strategically address the University’s IT needs.
Participants built the skills necessary to foster an environment that encourages collaboration, dynamic cross-organizational communication, and creative problem solving—proving that creative, tailored leadership development can be a catalyst for positive organizational change.
As participant Lionel Zupan, Director of Research and Geospatial Technology at Tufts University noted,
“This experience was transformative. I expected to gain some skills that would be helpful for my staff. But the opportunity for self-assessment was wonderful, and I was able to apply the leadership learning immediately.”
Participants helped to shape course content by identifying six issues that would be the focus of their collaborative work:
- Improve IT productivity through project portfolio management
- Improve customer satisfaction and cycle time of new computer deployment
- Foster a more creative environment in UIT
- Build trust in the University’s IT organizations
- Streamline Tufts’ Interdepartmental Requisition process
- Increase adoption of office productivity tools by Tufts faculty and staff
As a result of the program’s success, another course is taking place this summer with another group of IT professionals.