CHEAD Leadership Programme Taster 3 Adaptive, Creative, and Bold: Leading Through Change

Higher Education is facing unprecedented uncertainty, financial instability, and
institutional resistance. In this precarious landscape, strategic leadership is not just
about following best practices—it requires creativity, adaptability, and bold
decision-making. This session explores how leaders can lead whilst navigating change
with clarity, confidence, and creativity, ensuring their teams and organisations remain
resilient whilst embracing transformation.

Building on the foundations of Neuro-queered, decolonial, and (co-)creative leadership
(Taster 1) and Embodied Leadership (Taster 2), this final session shifts the focus from
self-leadership to systems leadership. We will explore how to strategically lead change,
even in resistant and complex cultures, and move beyond reactionary leadership to
proactive, creative transformation.

What We’ll Cover:
● Strategic Thinking & Planning Amid Uncertainty – Moving beyond reactionary
decision-making to proactive, creative leadership.
● Managing Change in Resistant Cultures – Addressing fear, precarity, and the
emotional labour of leadership.
● Leading with Clarity & Confidence – Communicating difficult decisions
(budgets, restructuring, shifting priorities) whilst maintaining trust.
● Decision-Making & Problem-Solving Through a Creative Lens – Breaking free
from rigid structures to cultivate innovation.
● Sustaining Teams Through Change – Fostering adaptability, resilience, and a
shared sense of purpose.
Key Takeaways: (TBC - Provisional)
● Build confidence in leading strategic change—even in uncertain or resistant
environments.
● Learn how to manage communication around restructuring, budget constraints,
and shifting landscapes.
● Cultivate a sustainable, resilient team that embraces change rather than fearing
it.
● Shift from reactionary leadership to proactive, creative strategy—transforming
obstacles into opportunities.
This session is about leading strategically and creatively—not just managing change
but reframing it as an opportunity for transformation.
Join us as we conclude this leadership taster series by stepping into the future of
leadership: adaptive, creative, and bold.