university of melbourne
faculty OF engineering, INDUSTRY and technology business development team
high-performing team program
ORGANISATIONAL PROFILE
The University of Melbourne is a leading Australian public research university, consistently ranked among the world’s top institutions for teaching and research excellence. Established in 1853, it delivers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programs across disciplines including business, law, medicine, engineering, science, and the arts, serving a diverse domestic and international student community.
Operating as a large, complex organisation, the University integrates education, research, and innovation with strong partnerships across industry, government, and the not-for-profit sector. Its activities include research commercialisation, executive education, philanthropy, and global engagement, all aimed at generating social, cultural, and economic impact while addressing complex local and global challenges.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Engineering, Industry and Technology Business Development Team (FEIT BD) engaged the Australian Leadership Academy (ALA) to deliver a tailored leadership development program for the Business Development Team. The program was designed to strengthen leadership capability, enhance collaboration, and support participants to navigate complex, adaptive challenges within a dynamic faculty environment.
Central to ALA’s approach was its distinctive agenda-setting process, which invited the Business Development Team to identify the most significant adaptive challenges they were facing. This ensured the program was highly relevant, participant-driven, and closely aligned to real-time organisational priorities.
The program focused on strengthening team connection and alignment through the application of adaptive leadership principles. The team explored what it means to exercise leadership, clarified a collective agenda, and built trusted relationships grounded in empathy, logic, and authentic engagement. Courage and accountability were reinforced as core leadership practices, with a strong emphasis on working in the service of one team and learning alongside peers.
Through practical learning, coaching, and peer-based engagement, the team deepened trust, strengthened their leadership practice, and developed strategies to work with greater clarity, empathy, and shared accountability.
School of Engineering
University of Melbourne
faculty OF engineering, INDUSTRY and technology business development team
program outcomes:
Adaptive Leadership Principles
The team demonstrated the ability to identify and respond to complex, dynamic challenges in their everyday work, using adaptive approaches to lead change and influence outcomes effectively.
Strengthen Connection and Collaboration
The program enhanced team cohesion through trust-building, peer learning, and structured opportunities for open dialogue, fostering a culture of empathy, shared purpose, and collective accountability.
Develop Leadership Agility and Challenge Perspectives
The team practiced questioning assumptions, considering diverse viewpoints, and engaging in long-table and round-table thinking, enabling them to act as adaptive leadership change agents within the team and broader organisation.
Enhanced Accountability and Feedback Culture
The team strengthened personal and collective accountability, learning to give and receive constructive feedback and support peers in achieving shared goals.
Create and Sustain a High-Functioning Team
The program reinforced commitment to a collective team vision, with strategies to align priorities, manage up, and continuously learn and grow together, ensuring ongoing performance and adaptability.
“Though risky, contemplate that i
have more scope
than realised to be a chaNge agent”
FEIT BD Delegate Feedback
“managing up
to understand
the perspectives
AND CHALLENGES
of AUTHORITY”
FEIT BD Delegate Feedback
“We grew our capability to navigAte through complexity, effectively respond to change,
and deliver strong results as a team”
FEIT BD Delegate Feedback
“the team strengthened ITS collaboration and trust, creating an environment
where open dialogue and shared responsibility thrive”
FEIT BD Delegate Feedback
