Applications for Semester 2, 2024 will close at 9am on Wednesday 17 July
What is the LEAD program?
LEAD stands for Leadership Exploration and Development and being a LEAD participant, you will embark on a journey of self-discovery. It’s a challenging and high-impact program that will take you beyond your studies and rapidly develop your leadership skills.
LEAD has a selective and competitive application process. Applying for LEAD means committing not only time, but also energy and willpower. It is not for people who are undecided about their goals – it’s for people who are dedicated and ready to stretch their horizons. It does not take passengers.
What to expect from LEAD.
Leadership is an inside job; the work of leadership starts with work on yourself. With this in mind, LEAD focusses heavily on the inner journey of leadership; developing self-awareness, strengthening emotional intelligence, making choices about who you want to be as a leader and how to support yourself to show up with confidence and clarity.
Topics covered include:
- Our own development
- VIA Strengths
- Leader purpose and identity
- Emotional intelligence
- Fostering a growth mindset
- Developing confidence
- A taster on change leadership
The opportunity in the program is to exercise your leadership within the group; how you will show up with, and for, others. Your commitment to the program and to your peer leaders will make all the difference in terms of what you gain from being a part of the group.
Key dates
The LEAD program for Semester 1 2024 will be run in-person over 5 sessions. LEAD participants must be able to attend ALL sessions in-person and will need to sign a statement of commitment before the program commences.
Semester 2, 2024 dates are:
· Welcome – 9am-12pm, Friday 2nd August
· Workshop 1 – 9am-1pm, Friday 23rd August
· Workshop 2 – 9am-1pm, Friday 6th September
· Workshop 3 – 9am-1pm, Friday 4th October
· Closing Celebration – 5.30pm-8.30pm, Thursday 10th October
There may also be the opportunity to participate in extra sessions on Friday mornings between these key dates – we will notify participants when these are confirmed.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the intensive nature of the sessions, any participant who cannot attend a session, for any reason, will unfortunately not be able to continue the program.
I feel more confident and self-aware as a result – and I feel more capable of researching and learning more on my own.
- LEAD participant, 2022
At GSA, we believe that leadership takes many forms and that everyone has leadership potential. LEAD challenges participants to rethink their perceptions of leadership.
In a world filled with uncertainty, LEAD will empower you to explore the kind of leader that you want to be one day and provide you with the tools and strategies to achieve success. Over 5 sessions you will meet like-minded individuals, explore key leadership themes, and delve deep into your reflections and those of your fellow participants. LEAD is a fast paced and fully immersive program, led by an experienced leadership facilitator who will take your leadership skills to the next level.
LEAD invites emerging leaders into an exploration of their own leadership style and strength with an emphasis on self-leadership. LEAD draws from contemporary thought leadership and practice employed today in leading organisations and businesses globally. LEAD aims to enable graduate students to build confidence in their leadership and drive positive change in their communities.
You can expect a transformative experience involving reflection and group work with 5 sessions over a period of 3 months, reinforced by self-directed learning between the in -person workshops.
The program aims to help you:
- Hone your confidence in your own unique leadership style.
- Understand your strengths and weaknesses, and learn how to articulate your value professionally and interpersonally.
- Channel your existing passion and purpose and commit to the next steps toward your goals.
Develop your leadership and management skills, understanding how to apply them at university, in your career, and for the benefit of your community.
Over the course of the program, you will:
- Understand the value of a growth mindset, and how you can use your growth mindset to achieve your personal and professional goals.
- Gain clarity around the values that drive you and master how to be authentically ‘you’ in a professional setting.
- Develop effective professional and interpersonal communication skills.
- Learn how to support your own health and wellbeing in service of energised leadership for complex times.
- Understand how to use all of these skills in a socially responsible manner.
GSA welcomes applications from any graduate student at the University of Melbourne, regardless of field of study, mode of study, or any other personal qualities or background. However, for this program you must be able to attend in person at the Parkville Campus.
The main selection criteria is about knowing what your goals are and being absolutely dedicated to them.
Applications will be selected on the basis of:
- Commitment to developing strong leadership skills and practices.
- Capacity to attend all programmed sessions (please see key dates above).
- Potential and desire to develop as a socially responsible leader.
- Prior public or community service or leadership experience.
- Need and fit for the program.
Application is via completion of the online application form below.
Applicants may also be contacted after the application close date to set up a 30-minute interview via Zoom on Monday 4 or Tuesday 5 March and MUST be available for an interview during this time.
Applications close 11.59pm Thursday 22 February.
If you have questions about the program or application process, please contact lead@gsa.unimelb.edu.au
Applications for Semester 2, 2024 are now open. Applications will close at 9am on Wednesday 17 July.