IFE R&D Leadership Program

The IFE R&D Leadership programme, a collaborative endeavour between the Department of Leadership and Organisational Behaviour at BI Norwegian Business School and Trond Åsdam, was specially developed for the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE). This bespoke programme, S.O.L (Strategy, Organisation, Leadership), was designed to meet the specific needs of leaders in research organisations. The programme comprised six modules, each lasting two days, centring on a different facet of leadership within the context of a research and development organisation. These modules were enriched by academic lectures delivered by selected professors from BI Norwegian Business School, practical examples, and guided discussions. An added feature was that, between workshops, colleagues were divided into groups responsible for peer coaching. Selected academic literature and articles added to the learning experience. The modules covered a broad range of leadership aspects relevant to research and development: • "Leadership in a Research Organisation" examined the unique aspects of leading scientists and other highly dedicated knowledge workers. • "R&D Leadership in a Digital, Disruptive and Unpredictable Context" underscored the importance of cross-functional collaboration. • "Leadership of Complex R&D Projects and Programmes" delivered insights into programme and portfolio management. • "Understanding Personal Leadership Style" focused on enhancing self-awareness and evaluating one's distinct leadership style. • "Leading Individuals" fostered a comprehensive understanding of team members' needs and motivations whilst promoting constructive feedback and creating a supportive environment. • "Leading Teams" centred on enhancing communication, cultivating a positive team culture, and driving team performance. The S.O.L Leadership programme extensively explored the multifaceted aspects of leadership in a research organisation setting.