Listen In, Reach Out: Building Relationships for Collaborative Leadership
Leading an academic unit as a Chair / Director requires building strong relationships that foster trust, mutual respect, and shared purpose among faculty, staff, students and partners. Faculty Affairs in collaboration with CHREI is excited to host a session for Chairs and Directors on Building Relationships for Collaborative Leadership. Join us to connect with other Chairs / Directors across York to share strategies and tips for leading collaboratively in a collegial environment; navigating and resolving conflicts; and fostering a collegial culture. The session will include a workshop by Oliver Martin from CHREI.
Session Objectives:
- Connect with other academic leaders for a dialogue on collaborative leadership in academia – Explore how shared governance, mutual respect, and trust form the foundation for effective collaboration within and across academic units.
- Explore the role of self-awareness in fostering collaboration – Gain insight into how your values and leadership style influence relationships and team dynamics.
- Strengthen interpersonal skills for collaboration in diverse contexts – Learn strategies for engaging across differences and explore approaches to conflict resolution and consensus-building to support effective decision-making.
- Foster a culture of trust, respect, and shared purpose – Identify ways to create an environment that encourages open exchange, mutual support, and collaborative problem-solving.
Oliver Martin (he/him) is Director of Workplace Restoration & Culture at York University’s CHREI. He is a mediator, coach, and instructor with experience supporting academic leaders and staff through culture-building initiatives, conflict resolution, and leadership development. Oliver holds a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University, ADR training from the University of Windsor Law School, and is certified to administer the Emotional Intelligence (WE-I) Profile, supporting leaders in developing greater self-awareness and relational effectiveness.
