9 / 9 Categories Appraised
This behaviour is about consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
Well developed: Your responses indicate that you are very effective in this area, and that this is a real strength.
Approaches to work
This behaviour involves taking an organised and flexible approach to work to ensure you consistently meet agreed objectives to a high standard. You could build on and share your strengths by:
talking to your colleagues about how they might be better able to manage or prioritise their workload if they are struggling to meet deadlines or deliver what they agreed
reviewing your progress to date for projects, to keep momentum, motivation and remain resilient when faced with setbacks
This behaviour is about providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
Partial strength: Your responses indicate that you are competent within some areas of your approach, however, there are still things that you could focus on developing to further improve.
Approaches to work
This behaviour involves listening and responding to client needs and feedback and being flexible in your approach to deliver consistently high services. To improve in this area, you could:
map out who your customers/clients are (internal and external) to clearly identify you are providing services to
take time to listen to, question and clarify to understand clients’ needs
review what you promise to deliver to customers/clients and review whether you meet these. If not, what needs to change?
use client feedback to drive improvements – this should be an ongoing process, so should be acted upon regularly
manage expectations and clearly communicate where you are unable to deliver a clients’ wants or needs to keep the relationship positive
learn from others: are there departments in your organisation who deliver services particularly well? What can you learn from them?
Reading
Consider a selection of essays from this HEPI report to learn more about What is the student voice? Thirteen essays on how to listen to students and how to act on what they say
Events/webcasts
Attend the Understanding and enhancing the LGBTQ+ staff and student experience webinar
This behaviour is about showing commitment to your own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
Developing: Your responses indicate that you are demonstrating some of the elements to be effective in this area but there is room for you to further develop your approach.
Approaches to work
This behaviour involves planning and devoting time to your own development as well as supporting others to develop by providing formal and informal opportunities. To improve in this area, you could:
allocate time to reflect on your performance and development, e.g. weekly/fortnightly by completing a learning log/journal
record development activities in your ‘MyAUA’ area to keep track and reflect on your development
use our Professional Development Planner template to set ambitious and stretching development goals for continual improvement
identify development opportunities available at your own organisation or through the AUA – this could be voluntary opportunities as well as formal training
prioritise skills and behaviours you would like to improve and seek opportunities to do so
discuss with your line manager any additional tasks/responsibilities you may be able to take on to expand your experience
look into accessing a mentor or coach for one-to-one support
consider applying to attend a study tour, to learn from peers and colleagues across the globe
Reading
Read this blog for an introduction to the AUA CPD Framework
Events/webcasts
Watch this video introduction to the AUA CPD Framework
Take a look at our upcoming events and webinars
This behaviour is about being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
Well developed: Your responses indicate that you are very effective in this area, and that this is a real strength.
Approaches to work
This behaviour involves being open to change and valuing the opportunities it can bring, actively encouraging it to drive improvements, and keeping a positive mindset in spite of challenges. You could build on and share your strengths by:
continuing to challenge the status quo to identify new approaches to work activities
supporting colleagues who may be finding change difficult, listen to their concerns. Can you share your previous experiences of going through a change and help them to identify opportunities of the change?
This behaviour is about enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
Developing: Your responses indicate that you are demonstrating some of the elements to be effective in this area but there is room for you to further develop your approach.
Approaches to work
This behaviour involves having a clear understanding of your own role and responsibilities and how these fit in with the wider organisation you work in, as well as keeping up to date with developments across the sector. To improve in this area, you could:
get involved with local AUA activity, whether at your own organisation or regional/themed networks
take an active interest in the way your organisation works to inform your professional practice
learn how your role fits within the team/department/wider organisation
look into opportunities to find out about others’ roles, either through shadowing or by having a conversation to find out more
sign up for webinars to learn from best practice across the sector
use social media networks to connect with colleagues across the sector and keep up with latest developments
familiarise yourself with team and/or department goals
attend conferences to network, learn from others and reflect on the bigger picture across the sector
Reading
Catch up on latest from the AUA
Sign up to receive WonkHE emails
Events/webcasts
This behaviour is about taking a holistic view and working enthusiatically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
Well developed: Your responses indicate that you are very effective in this area, and that this is a real strength.
Approaches to work
This behaviour involves properly understanding problems and challenges to come up with suitable solutions by working with others and trying out new approaches. You could build on and share your strengths by:
supporting colleagues who are trying to find solutions by sharing your experiences
delivering a working session at a conference to share your solutions with a wider audience
writing a Good Practice Guide to share your approach and successes with others
This behaviour is about being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
Partial strength: Your responses indicate that you are competent within some areas of your approach, however, there are still things that you could focus on developing to further improve.
Approaches to work
This behaviour involves developing and maintaining a network of contacts and keeping up to date with what is happening in your professional area as well as the importance of clear communication. To improve in this area, you could:
get involved with your regional network as a way to meet peers across the sector and learn from what they are doing
sign up for AUA member forum updates to view and get involved in the conversation
expand your network using different social media platforms
sign up for weekly blog email roundups
develop your writing skills by writing a blog for the AUA
make sure you are always prepared for upcoming meetings and presentations
Reading
Take a look at our Good Practice Guides: Report writing and writing clearly
Events/webcasts
Watch this webinar on building resilience
Watch the AUA’s 23rd Annual Lecture on Changing the lens on mental health
This behaviour is about identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
Developing: Your responses indicate that you are demonstrating some of the elements to be effective in this area but there is room for you to further develop your approach.
Approaches to work
This behaviour involves using information and resources in an efficient way, minimising wasted time, money and effort wherever possible. To improve in this area, you could:
ask a question in the Member forums if you’re starting a new project or looking at investing in a new solution, you could learn from others who have already done the same or similar
expand your networks virtually and/or physically, by attending conferences, events, webinars and online discussions, for access to information and resources from peers across the sector
make the most of learning and information available e.g. via podcasts, webinars, TED talks etc
factor in staff time as a resource when reviewing work processes or considering solutions to problems
carry out a cost benefit analysis to consider implications of upcoming investments
use resources in ways that are efficient and minimise any adverse effect on the environment (including wastage)
Reading
Read this article on carrying out a cost-benefit analysis
This behaviour is about working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing different contributions people bring to this process.
Developing: Your responses indicate that you are demonstrating some of the elements to be effective in this area but there is room for you to further develop your approach.
Approaches to work
This behaviour involves seeking out opportunities for collaborative work, valuing diverse viewpoints and commitment to making working relationships constructive and effective. To improve in this area, you could:
identify opportunities to develop working relationships with those outside of your day-to-day role e.g. as an Advocate or Network Co-ordinator
consider the strengths of your working relationships amongst different teams/groups of people you work with. Think about positive aspects of those that work best and consider how these could be applied to those that need some development
recognise and respect the roles, responsibilities, interests and concerns of colleagues and stakeholders
volunteer to support a project or activity in or outside of work e.g. AUA study tour
make sure you know where responsibility lies in project groups and for work tasks and who needs what communication. Completing a RACI grid will help address overlaps or gaps
ensure you’re co-operating willingly to support the achievement of team goals
share information that is relevant to others and keep others informed
Reading
Read this article about improving working relationships
Read this article about building good relationships:
Read this article about how the RACI matrix works and how you can use it
Events/webcasts
Watch The Colleague Conversation Compass webcast from our Managing Change in Higher Education Annual Open Forum 2021