Leading in times of permanent change
Competencies for the agile manager
Traget group: PhD candidates, postdocs and qualifying professors and to (future) leaders in the technical and administrative field
Language: German
Duration of the program: 7 month
The application period for the new round in 2026 is expected to start in November.
Program overview
As a leading person at university, you are aware of working in a complex, dynamic and often ambiguous environment. In recent years, however, global mega-trends have increaded the pace and extent of uncertainty, above all digitalization with the rapid development in the field of artificial intelligence as the most recent phenomenon. In this context, it is said that we live in a “VUCA world”: Volatile, uncertain, complex, ambivalent. (orig.: VUKA-Welt)
Against this backdrop, you are faces with demanding challenges when managing in the scientific community. The variety of tasks that you have to perform as a researcher and manager requires specific skills and a clear awareness of your role. Approaches from traditional management are no longer sufficient in this context. They are being replaced by basic attitudes, principles and methods that are summarized under terms such as “agility”, “new work” or “leadership 4.0”.
The program comprises 8 face-to-face modules with a duration of one day each, plus accompanying online offers. The attendance modules are scheduled for Fridays from 09:00-16:00 on the following dates:
Jan 17, Feb 14, Mar 14, Apr 11, May 9, Jun 6, Jun 27 & Jul 18, 2025
Program details
Program goals
- Getting to know the key societal “mega-trends” that determine the changes of working in research institutions
- Understanding why the VUCA world requires new skills from managers
- Be familiar with your own approach, strengths and weaknesses in dealing with constant change
- Creating awareness of the specific requirements as a manager in the scientific community
- Understanding and applying the agile framework (method set) “Scrum“
- Developing solutions to questions, problems and challenging situations in an iterative process and training the skills needed to do so
- Fulfilling the leadership role with confidence, clarity and composure, even in turbulent times
- Creating a personal concept for development to further sharpen your own leadership profile and to deepen and expand your leadership skills.
About the trainer
Sven Aden is a graduate engineer (TU Berlin) with study visits to the USA and Mexico. He has completed an extra-occupational postgraduate course in “Continuing Education Management” and is a certified change manager, coach and project consultant. He works internationally as an independent organizational consultant, coach, trainer and facilitator and supports people in their professional and personal development. Mr. Aden specializes in project management, the development of leadership skills, team development, the management of professional networks and the design of multi-stakeholder processes.
Impressions of the program
