Potsdam Graduate School: Workshop "Lateral Leadership - Leading Without Dominating People"

In the rapidly evolving academic landscape, effective leadership hinges on the ability to inspire and connect, guiding teams toward impactful outcomes without relying on traditional hierarchies. This two-day course on Lateral Leadership is tailored for academics operating in environments where authority is distributed or informal.

Lateral leadership emphasizes influence over instruction and inspiration over authoritarianism. As academic projects frequently bridge departments and disciplines, the challenge lies in leading without direct power—motivating, engaging, and supporting colleagues from diverse backgrounds toward shared objectives.

Participants in this course will gain tools to remain motivated and inspire their teams, even when collaboration crosses traditional boundaries. The program covers identifying the distinctions between complicated and complex situations and the leadership approaches each requires. Attendees will hone skills in moderating meetings to consensus, delivering feedback that strengthens relationships, and fostering a productive and enthusiastic team atmosphere.

By the end of the workshop, attendees will feel equipped and confident in their leadership abilities, ready to facilitate collaboration, manage uncertainty, and cultivate an environment conducive to creativity and growth.