Lateral Leadership - Influencing others without having a leadership position (Online) (only in English)

• 27.08.2024, 14:00 - 16:00: Kick-Off

• 10.09.2024, 14:30 - 17:00: Study Buddy Group 1

• 24.09.2024, 14:00 - 17:00: Study Buddy Group 2

• 01.10.2024, 14:00 - 16:00: Check-In 1

• 08.10.2024, 14:30 - 16:00: Study Buddy Group 3

• 29.10.2024, 14:00 - 16:30: Check-In 2

• 12.11.2024, 15:00 - 16:30: Study Buddy Group 4

• 10.12.2024, 14:00 - 16:00: Final Check-In

• Gottschewski, Eva  ()

• Kursadministration, Development & Leadership, ETH Zürich  ()

ETH employees often face situations in their daily routines at work, in which they wish they could have more influence in project decisions, however, they do not have the authority to issue directives themselves. They therefore usually use the techniques they know and with which they feel comfortable: reasoning and discussing issues skillfully. Eventually, however, they often observe, with great frustration, that their plans are not always realized for reasons they cannot understand.

This 4-​day learning program covers a wide range of techniques that can be used to exert influence and deal with resistance. During the course, participants are asked to describe a challenge they have (e.g. personal case study), which they wish to resolve. The program will help participants to directly implement what they have learned to support them with their own case study. This learning program comprises:

• 4 Zoom sessions (Kick-​off, two intermediate check-​ins with the course instructor and final workshop)
• 4 peer-​group meetings
• Several self-​paced learning modules that can be completed by oneself

Participants should allow approx. 1 day each for the Zoom sessions and peer-​group meetings as well as 2 days to work through the self-​paced learning modules. They are expected to reserve enough time to work on the different modules in between the Zoom sessions with the instructor.

• Understand the term of “lateral leadership”

• Learn about the six main strategies used to build influence: reasoning, authority, sympathy, lobbying, negotiation, assertiveness

• Successfully apply different influence strategies to help with your personal case study

• Tackle challenges strategically: analyze the environment with a «stakeholder-​map», work out different options and scenarios for action

• Acquire different perspectives concerning your case and improve your line of reasoning accordingly

• Be aware of your own strengths and communicate them in a persuasive manner."

Participants

• recognize the importance of addressing challenging situations that affect their work

• analyze und plan strategic techniques that support a positive influence helpful in complex situations

• learn to choose different strategies depending on the situation

• reflect on how to adapt their behavior to certain situations and people

• practice how to exude confidence and charisma beneficial for conversations with colleagues

• are knowledgeable of strategies they can apply to exert a positive influence

• are able to exert influence in conflict and negotiation situations

• Technical/Admin. Staff
• Team Leaders (Technical/Admin. Staff)
• Doctoral students
• Senior Assistants
• Senior Scientists
• Postdocs

Eva Gottschewski, https://ethz.ch/staffnet/de/organisation/abteilungen/vppl/kontakt/personendetails.geva.html