Tufts Leadership Experience

A Tufts Beyond 175 Initiative

Tufts Leadership Experience is a 12-month program designed to prepare senior leaders with institutional accountability to advance the university's mission by building connections, leading mindfully through change, thinking strategically, and serving the Tufts community.

The program supports the university’s Tufts Beyond 175 strategic plan by bringing together administrative leaders from across schools and divisions to build strategic leadership capabilities, strengthen cross-functional relationships, and prepare for future executive leadership opportunities.

Purpose of Tufts Leadership Experience

Participants will be developed to:

• Model and champion Tufts’ leadership competencies in ways that strengthen teams, relationships, and institutional effectiveness.
• Build collaborative relationships with cross-functional peers across the university.
• Lead and navigate change in the evolving higher education landscape to support Tufts' long-term success.
• Expand their leadership capacity in current roles while preparing for future executive leadership opportunities.
• Contribute to Tufts' future by applying insights, relationships, and leadership capabilities gained through the program to strengthen the university and its community.

Program Design

• A series of leadership and business process modules delivered over 12 months.
• A blend of in-person and virtual learning experiences.
• Senior leader-led fireside chats, breakout sessions, discussions, and group coaching.
• Readings, podcasts, webinars, assessments, and manager check-ins that reinforce learning.
• Content focused on practical leadership strategies applicable within the Tufts environment.
• A capstone presentation delivered to senior and executive leadership.
• Design and delivery in partnership with Starfish vILT.

Learning Journey

The program is structured around five areas of leadership development:

• Focus on Self: DiSC Interpretation, Emotional Intelligence at Work, Introduction to Leadership Competencies and Servant Leadership.
• Focus on Others: Motivating and Developing Others, Coaching for Impact, Inclusive Leadership, and Crucial Conversations.
• Focus on Leading in Higher Ed: Exploring the unique aspects of higher education leadership, Leading Change, AGILE Leadership, and Collaborative Problem Solving.
• Focus on the Institution: Strategic Financial Acumen, Strategic Thinking and Communication, and advancing teaching and research, and Prioritization for Self and Others.
• Focus on Learning: University Citizenship, Stewardship of the Institution and capstone presentation.

Leadership Competencies

Throughout the program, participants develop and strengthen Tufts' leadership competencies:

Instill a Mission-Driven, Strategic Mindset

Align strategy with mission and values, drive innovation, and turn priorities into collaborative action.

Lead with Emotional Intelligence

Build an inclusive, high-performing culture by modeling self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, effective communication, and support for the growth of others.

Build Accountability

Foster ownership through resolving challenges, making decisions, and practicing risk taking in a thoughtful, impact-aware manner.

Drive Change

Adapts to university complexity with agility, clearly communicates the need for change, engages stakeholders proactively, and simplifies processes for lasting results.

Participant Eligibility

Full-time senior-level administrative leaders who:

• Report directly to a vice president or dean (or, in some cases, are one level below).
• Have direct reports and have been in their current role for at least one year.
• Demonstrate potential to assume executive leadership roles within the next three to five years.
• Have led, or have the potential to lead, university-wide initiatives.
• Consistently demonstrate initiative and strong performance.
• Show a strong desire to grow and learn.
• Demonstrate emerging or proficient capability in Tufts leadership competencies.

Participant Expectations

Participants must:

• Commit to attending all sessions and completing coursework, which includes a capstone presentation to an audience of supervisors and senior leaders.
• Have the support of their direct supervisor.

Recognition

Participants who successfully complete the program and capstone presentation will earn a digital micro-credential badge, which can be shared on LinkedIn and other professional social media platforms.

How to Participate

Participants are nominated through their vice president, dean, or other designated senior leader. Selected participants will be invited to join a Leadership Experience cohort.

Questions

For questions about the Leadership Experience Program, contact your Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) or Kati Shields, director of talent management.