We are committed to supporting colleagues through periods of change. We are continuously looking to improve the way the University manages change. Following feedback from our community, we have developed the following resources with the Essex Business School.
A one-day course to encourage managers to think and reflect upon the nature of change in their Departments. Managers will explore the process and consequences of introducing change in departments while recognising the complexity of leading change in an organisation. For more information, please contact develop@essex.ac.uk.
A series of workshops designed to support the organisation in times of change, available on demand for teams, or bookable for individuals on iTrent.
This session looks at understanding the impact of organisational change on employees at all levels. It explores how coaching can effectively support individuals through transitions, as well as exploring common challenges faced when leading change and strategies for managing them. It looks at how cognitive behavioural coaching (CBC) can support employees dealing with change-related stress or resistance and gives an opportunity for hands-on experience applying the CBC model through practical coaching exercises.
This session introduces a clear model for articulating change, along with principles of conversational intelligence to strengthen communication. It explores how change impacts individuals and teams, particularly in the workplace, and how effective communication can help reduce uncertainty. There is space to reflect on personal responses to change while introducing practical approaches to supporting colleagues during periods of transition.
This session explores the visible and invisible elements of organisational culture and how associated values and assumptions can influence team dynamics, practice and decision-making in times of change. This is also an opportunity to reflect on how your beliefs and actions align with team and organisational expectations.
The session also introduces approaches to identifying assumed team roles, strengths, behavioural patterns, gaps and risks, as a way to improve team balance, communication and collaboration in support of our desired culture and values.
This session explores the psychological safety and its role in fostering team connection, trust, and open communication, particularly in time of change. It provides space to reflect on how you feel at work and how this influences levels of engagement and collaboration, as well as an opportunity to examine the behaviours, signals, and barriers that shape psychological safety within teams.
You will be introduced to practical tools to support your team, and to frameworks including team charters, to align expectations, strengthen connection, and build on shared values during change.
This course explores how to navigate ambiguity and uncertainty during periods of change, focusing on building confidence in decision-making with imperfect information.
Participants will explore ways to reframe ambiguity as a shared team challenge, including how to talk openly about uncertainty, reduce confusion, and engage teams in collective problem-solving. The course introduces adaptive leadership behaviours and the core principles of “leading in the grey,” with an emphasis on flexibility, experimentation, and learning over perfection. The session builds on an understanding of how to create psychologically safe teams, providing tools that support agility, smart risk-taking, and shared ownership of change.
Six 20-minute modules suitable for all colleagues, walking you through the key areas to consider when implementing change. The modules include helpful videos, exercises and templates. Enrol on the Moodle course.
The University’s coaching service is currently focused on supporting managers through change. Both individual and group coaching sessions are available to managers who have completed/attended our e-learning and in-person training. To request coaching, please contact coaching@essex.ac.uk