9 / 9 Categories Appraised
This behaviour is about consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
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 taking an organised and flexible approach to work to ensure you consistently meet agreed objectives to a high standard. To improve in this area, you could:
ensure you have a clear understanding of what is expected of you and what your responsibilities are
make sure you know the difference between urgent and important tasks and activities and prioritise your workload accordingly
set SMART targets to help you break down larger projects into more manageable goals
identify what is preventing you from achieving your objectives at the moment. Is it a workload issue? Are you committing enough time to projects/tasks? Track actual time spent on activities and adjust accordingly
look at tools that could help keep track of your projects e.g. Trello, Todoist, bullet journalling
review progress to date on projects, to keep momentum, motivation and remain resilient when faced with setbacks
Reading
Read this article on the Eisenhower Urgent vs important matrix to help prioritise your workload.
Read this article on setting SMART targets
Events/webinars
Attend the Demystifying project management webinar
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
Read this article to learn more about how universities and students unions have been engaging students this year
Events/webinars/webcasts
Attend the Managing distressed students 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.
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 planning and devoting time to your own development as well as supporting others to develop by providing formal and informal opportunities. You could build on and share your strengths by:
applying for accredited membership, for the opportunity to reflect on and have your development formally recognised
becoming an advocate at your institution, to support fellow AUA members
getting involved with local regional or themed networks to support development of a wider group of people
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.
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 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. To improve in this area, you could:
try to identify the opportunities in changes that are going to or are currently happening
challenge the status quo to identify new approaches to work activities
take time to consider the circle of influence. Identify what you can control or influence and let go of other things
ask colleagues or peers how they have approached a similar change to see if there is anything you can learn from their experience
try using new technologies and techniques as part of your working practices
Reading
Read this article on circles of influence
Read this article on developing a growth mindset:
Events/webinars/webcasts
Watch our recorded webinars from the Managing Change conference
Attend the Managing Change Open Forum conference
This behaviour is about enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
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 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. You could build on and share your strengths by:
applying to represent the AUA at an international conference, with one of our partner organisations
undertaking formal study such as the PgCert in Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership if you’re looking to move into a role with management responsibilities
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.
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 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. You could build on and share your strengths by:
keeping connected via AUA and other networks
writing a blog for the AUA to share your experience with others
looking for opportunities to join committee groups or project teams, within your organisation or across wider networks
undertaking formal study such as the PgCert in Higher Education Administration, Management and Leadership if you’re looking to move into a role with management responsibilities
This behaviour is about identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
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 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
consider cost benefit analysis implications of decisions
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.
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 seeking out opportunities for collaborative work, valuing diverse viewpoints and commitment to making working relationships constructive and effective. You could build on and share your strengths by:
collaborating with a colleague to deliver a working session at a conference
applying to participate in study tour or other group project outside of work