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Discussion Topic: Managing conflict within teams

This series follows on from the very popular first series held from April-July 2021. These informal drop-in sessions are designed to provide both new and more experienced leaders and managers, across all staff groups, with a safe space to share practice and discuss some of the challenges that can arise when supporting others to develop and strengthen their performance. Each session will start an hour of Q&A and discussion with a panel of experienced managers drawn from across the University. This will be followed by half an hour of small group discussion to allow participants the opportunity to meet other managers and share practice, in a smaller, more intimate setting. Those wishing to leave after the first hour and not stay on for final half hour in break out rooms, are free to do so. The format of the sessions is designed to facilitate peer support and learning. The sessions are not training sessions, although recommendations for training and other resources will be provided.

Comments from Series 1 participants: “I am loving all of these sessions and am so happy to have discovered a platform where ‘it all makes sense’” “It’s lovely to convene a group of people interested in leadership and developing their skills in this area.” “I intend to participate in as many sessions as I can because this forum gives a focused approach on developing leadership skills that are expected within the University. I had been looking for some sort of a planned approach to this and am really glad I found this.”

Panellists

Bruce Daniels - Administration & Operations Manager, Gurdon Institute

Marita Walsh - Support Services Manager, Department of Chemistry

Susie Wan - Academic Division

Questions we will consider during the session

1. How do you feel about conflict and do you try to avoid it?

2. Do you think conflict in a team can or should be avoided?

3. What do you see as the manager’s role when there is conflict in a team?

4. When have you experienced conflict escalating and why do you think this happened?

5. What strategies do you use to diffuse conflict and to build positive relationships and trust within your team?

6. What advice would you give to a manager creating a new team, to help build trust from the beginning?

7. What approaches do you use if relationships have broken down in a team, to rebuild trust?

Have you ever wondered how senior managers balance demanding job roles and extensive workloads? The ourcambridge team have brought together an experienced panel of senior managers who are happy to share an honest insight into the realities of their workload management. The session will include the opportunity to ask questions to the panel and provide some top tips and interesting reflections.

Speakers:

• Emma Rampton, Registrary
• Professor Anna Vignoles, Professor of Education, Faculty of Education
• Dr Nick Bampos, Deputy Head of Department, Department of Chemistry
• Dr Karen Kennedy, Director of Strategic Partnerships Office

Chair/Facilitator:

Jenny Rampling, Senior Programme Co-ordinator, ourcambridge

Have you ever wished you could get 10 minutes with a senior colleague to ask their advice on how they would handle something? Have you ever wondered how others approach challenging problems? This is your opportunity to ask. We are bringing together a panel of senior managers and leaders from across the University for a special speed mentoring session so that they can offer you their support and advice.

Speed mentoring offers you the opportunity for a series of short, focused conversations about a specific question or issue you are struggling with. You will rotate around four different mentors, spending around 10 minutes with each, to gain different perspectives on an issue you are seeking to resolve or a project you are trying to progress.

"I liked that there were a diverse background of university staff involved in the session, and all of the mentors were really engaged and enthusiastic. I felt that I could be honest about some of my experiences in the University, good and bad. All the mentors I spoke to acted as a good sound board for the issues that I wanted to discuss and they have given me some excellent advice and ideas."

"The fact that we saw 4 different mentees was brilliant - we gained different perspectives, saw different mentoring types and were also introduced to people and roles we may not have known about."

Mentors:

• Elena Carpenter - Process Improvement Analyst, ourcambridge
• Joy Haughton - Chief of Staff, Cambridge Centre for Advanced Education and Research in Singapore
• Dr Alex Price - Foundation Year Course Director, Admissions Office
• Joanna Walmsley - Head of Financial Planning & Budgeting, Finance Division
• Marita Walsh - Support Services Manager, Department of Chemistry
• Ben Warn - Acting Secretary, School of Arts & Humanities