Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Prepared by:
J.T. Gomes, Coordinator, Assessment and Retention Studies
A.L. Sheppard, Coordinator, Student Leadership Programs
Office of the Student Experience (OSE)
April 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
iii
1.0
2.0
3.0
3
3
Appendix A:
Appendix B:
Appendix C:
Appendix D:
Appendix E:
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
3
4
6
7
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ii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In fall 2006 and winter 2007, individual assessments of workshops were conducted by the Office of
the Student Experience (OSE) for each of the Personal and Team Leadership programs.
Workshop participants were given two-page self-completion questionnaires at the end of each
session. At total of 315 responses were collected over all the Personal Leadership workshops,
and 153 responses were collected from the Team Leadership workshops. Results of the
assessment of the Team Leadership workshops are presented in this report. Findings about the
Personal Leadership program are presented in a separate OSE report. Both reports are publicly
available from the OSE website (www.ucalgary.ca/ose). The Team Leadership program is
composed of workshops in five areas of leadership: Team-building & Group Development; Group
Facilitation; Conflict Resolution; Understanding Motivation; and, Facilitating Change.
Summary of Findings and Suggestions for Improving the Workshop
Very positive ratings were given to all the workshops by the students who participated in the
Team Leadership Program. Almost all survey respondents agreed that they learned a lot from the
workshops, and that they acquired skills and knowledge important to the development of
successful leadership. Additionally, many respondents wrote that the workshops were a great
experience and fun. Students noted, in particular, that they most enjoyed the various workshop
activities and the group interaction. Students appreciated exposure to new ideas and learning
about new perspectives. Effective and engaging facilitators are an important part of the workshops
and numerous respondents made positive comments about their facilitator. Findings from the
assessment survey indicate that the Team Leadership program outcomes have been successfully
met by the workshops. Descriptions of the program and list of the outcomes can be found in the
OSE website (www.ucalgary.ca/ose). A summary of findings is presented below.
Team-building & Group Development (n=13 survey respondents)
All 13 respondents indicated they gained a gained a good understanding of the roles
people play in teams, and that the workshop provided them with an understanding of teambuilding.
Almost all (92%) students agreed or strongly agreed they identified stages of group
development.
Only 62% indicated they could identify strategies to solve common team challenges;
however all of those who did not agree had indicated a neutral response.
Over three-quarters (77%) of the students agreed or strongly agreed that they enjoyed the
workshop, and 85% indicated they learned a lot from the session.
Most of the comments about skills gained in the workshops related to learning about team
development, managing effective teams.
Group Facilitation (n=99 survey respondents)
Almost all of the students agreed or strongly agreed that through the workshop they gained
a strong understanding of the role of a facilitator (97%).
As well, almost all (96%) indicated they identified tools that are used in group facilitation,
and that they could identify strategies to facilitate effective meetings (93%).
The large majority of respondents (84%) felt they achieved a better understanding of
learning styles.
The large majority (83%) of students enjoyed the workshop, and just over three-quarters
(77%) indicated they learned a lot from the session.
Comments about skills acquired in the workshop referred to organizing effective meetings,
dealing with challenges of facilitating diverse groups of individuals, and responding to
difficult people. Respondents also commented on skills on how to increase participation
from individuals, identify different learning styles, and match learning styles to activities.
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iii
All of the respondents indicated they gained a good understanding of conflict, and that they
identified strategies that can be used to resolve conflict in a team.
A large majority (92%) of the students learned the relationship between power and conflict,
and had a good understanding of the sources of conflict.
A large majority (92%) of respondents enjoyed their session, and 82% agreed or strongly
agreed that they learned a lot.
Comments about skills acquired in the workshop related to being able to handle conflict and
reach agreement, and being able to identify and understand conflict.
Understanding Motivation (n=11 survey respondents)
All of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the workshop provided them with a
good understanding of motivation theory, and that they were able to identify strategies for
motivating teams.
The large majority (91%) indicated they had identified strategies for giving feedback and
rewards, and that they could identify different motivation strategies and how they relate to
leadership style.
All 11 respondents enjoyed their session, and all agreed or strongly agreed that they
learned a lot.
Comments about skills gained in the workshop related to identifying different motivation
strategies and learning how to motivate people, and more generally, learning about
motivation theories.
Facilitating Change (n=17 survey respondents)
All of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they had a good understanding of the
sources of resistance to change, and that the workshop provided a good understanding of
the importance of managing change as a leader.
A large majority (94%) agreed or strongly agreed that they learned strategies for
succession planning, as well as strategies for responding to resistance to change.
All of the respondents enjoyed their session, and agreed or strongly agreed that they
learned a lot.
Comments about skills gained in the workshop referred to how to encourage change,
manage change, and respond to resistance.
With respect to suggestions related to how the workshops could be improved, many of the
respondents simply wanted more of what they identified as the most positive aspects of the
workshops namely, more activities, including role playing, more discussion of concepts
introduced in the workshop, and more group interaction.
Program Assessment
A program assessment questionnaire was developed for each of the five workshops. The
question items were primarily based on the UCL Team Leadership Program Overview of Learning
Outcomes in order to obtain data related to the various knowledge and skills areas of team
leadership. The survey was composed of Likert-type questions about the students experiences
and learnings, as well as open-ended questions to find out peoples attitudes about the workshops
and suggestions on how to improve the sessions. A two-page self-administered questionnaire was
completed by each student at the end of the workshop. Participation in the survey was voluntary
and students were not asked for personal identification information in the questionnaire.
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1.0
The Office of the Student Experience (OSE) strives to support the academic and social
experience at the U of C, while recognizing the unique developmental needs of students at the
different stages of their University experience.
At the individual level, the development of leadership skills is essential to success in life,
both personally and professionally. The creation and maintenance of healthy communities also
depend on leadership ability - they require people who willingly take on the responsibility of
facilitating positive change. But whether we choose to focus on global issues or work to become
leaders in our own lives, leadership skills are the key to achieving our goals. The OSE supports
U of C students in the development of their leadership potential through a formal leadership
training program (UCL) and by providing hands-on leadership opportunities on campus.
1.1
Understanding Motivation
Understand the importance of motivation in leadership
Learn different theories of motivation
Identify different motivation strategies and how they relate to leadership style
Learn how to work with varied motivations within a team
Learn feedback and reward strategies
Facilitating Change
Understand the importance of managing change effectively in leadership
Identify the nature and source of resistance
Learn how to respond to resistance
Learn strategies for succession planning
Learn how to initiate positive change
UCL workshops are facilitated by University staff with expertise and experience in the
areas of leadership, community development, team-building, group facilitation, and many
others. The format of the workshops is interactive and discussion-based.
Completion of the UCL Team Leadership program requires participation in each of the
five workshops, a written reflective essay and a post-program leadership self-assessment.
Students who meet these requirements will be presented with a University of Calgary
Leadership Certificate in Team Leadership'.
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69.2%
15.4%
30.8%
Strongly Agree
46.2%
23.1%
Neutral/NA
23.1%
38.5%
38.5%
76.9%
15.4%
7.7%
Agree
46.2%
53.9%
23.1%
76.9%
An open-ended question was asked in order to identify specific skills individuals acquired
in the workshop that they would use in future leadership activities. A total of 13 respondents
contributed 16 comments. Learning about team development and its theories represented the
largest group of comments (7 comments). Students also identified being able to create and
manage an effective team as skills they will use in future leadership activities (6 comments).
These skills are important in order to achieve the Team-building & Group Development
outcomes. Total responses are provided in Appendix A.1.
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Only a few suggestions were offered for improving the workshop (5 comments).
Students suggested including more group activities, including those related to identifying
leadership skills and team roles, and applying information from the workshop to the individual
level. Total responses are shown in Appendix A.2.
As noted above over three-quarters of the respondents (77%) enjoyed the workshop.
When asked to identify what they enjoyed the most, 7 respondents contributed 8 comments.
The largest group of comments, 5 of the 8 comments, related to games and activities, and
group interaction. All of the responses are presented in Appendix A.3.
Final comments were offered by 5 respondents. The 6 comments made noted that
students appreciated the activities, the facilitator and presentations, and the workshops in
general. All of the comments are shown in Appendix A.4.
3.2 Group Facilitation
A total of 99 respondents completed an assessment questionnaire. As shown below in
Figure 2, almost all students felt they benefited from their workshop on Group Facilitation.
FIGURE 2
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE GROUP FACILITATION WORKSHOPS
I learned a lot form this
workshop
22.2%
1.0%
17.2%
34.3%
42.4%
Agree
48.5%
34.3%
Neutral/NA
Disagree
47.5%
45.5%
7.1%
46.5%
49.5%
3.0%
1.0%
33.3%
2.0%
Strongly Agree
50.5%
14.1%
39.4%
3.0%
57.6%
Almost all of the students agreed or strongly agreed that through the workshop they gained a
strong understanding of role of a facilitator (97%) and identified tools that are used in group
facilitation (96%). A large majority of respondents (93%) indicated they could identify strategies
to facilitate effective meetings. Additionally, 84% felt they had a better understanding of
learning styles. These items address three of the five program outcomes: identifying the roles
of a facilitator; understanding different learning styles; and, learning how to run effective
meetings. Learning about tools used in group facilitation relate to the program outcomes of
strategies for gaining participation, and dealing with common facilitation challenges.
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In relation to the overall workshop, 83% of the students enjoyed the workshop, and just over
three-quarters (77%) indicated they learned a lot from the session.
An open-ended question was asked in order to identify specific skills individuals acquired
in the workshop that they would use in future leadership activities. A total of 87 respondents
contributed 134 comments. Organizing effective meetings represented the largest group of
comments (31 comments). The program outcome related to dealing with common facilitation
challenges was addressed by a number of respondents. The second most-often made
comment referred to challenges of facilitating diverse groups of individuals and difficult people
(27 comments). Additionally, 15 comments referred to skills on how to increase individual
participation. Consistent with the 84% of respondents who agreed or strongly agreed they had
a better understanding of learning styles, one of the largest groups of comments made by
respondents related to identifying different learning styles (15 comments), and matching
learning styles with activities (7 comments). Students also noted skills related to the program
outcome of learning about facilitator roles, in addition to skills, and responsibilities (13
comments). The respondents also appreciated learning group activities, including icebreakers
(a total of 12 comments). All of the comments are shown in Appendix B.1.
When asked for suggestions about what could improve the workshops, 22 respondents
offered 23 comments. A variety of suggestions were offered with most of the comments related
to more activities, including ice breakers and role playing (a total of 13 comments). Total
responses are shown in Appendix B.2.
As noted above the large majority (83%) of students enjoyed the Group Facilitation
workshop. When asked to identify what they enjoyed the most, 77 respondents contributed 94
comments. The largest group of comments described games and activities, including ice
breakers (a total of 44 comments). Students also enjoyed the group interaction (22 comments)
and the facilitator (9 comments). All of the responses are shown in Appendix B.3.
General comments were offered by 38 respondents. Of the 45 general comments
offered, 18 described that the workshops were a great experience, fun, and engaging, and 6
respondents wrote that they had a great facilitator. All of the comments are shown in Appendix
B.4
3.3 Conflict Resolution
A total of 13 respondents completed an assessment questionnaire. As shown below in
Figure 3, all of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they gained a good
understanding of conflict, and that they identified strategies that can be used to resolve conflict
in a team. Additionally, 92% of the students learned the relationship between power and
conflict. These three items address two important program outcomes understanding the
nature of conflict and power, and learning strategies to deal effectively with conflict. Almost all
of the respondents (92%) indicated that they had a good understanding of the sources of
conflict, which addresses the program outcome related to identifying the common sources of
conflict. With respect to the overall workshop, 92% of respondents enjoyed their session, and
82% agreed or strongly agreed that they learned a lot.
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FIGURE 3
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CONFLICT RESOLUTION WORKSHOPS
61.5%
23.1%
15.4%
61.5%
30.8%
7.7%
Strongly Agree
Neutral/NA
7.7%
61.5%
Agree
53.9%
38.5%
38.5%
61.5%
30.8%
7.7%
69.2%
30.8%
An open-ended question was asked in order to identify skills individuals gained in the
workshop that they would use in future leadership activities. A total of 13 respondents
contributed 18 comments. The largest group of comments related to the ability to handle a
conflict and reach agreement (7 comments). Additionally, respondents wrote about being able
to identify and understand conflict, and the different types of conflict (a total of 6 comments). All
of the comments are shown in Appendix C.1.
Relatively few suggestions were offered for improving the workshop (only 4 comments).
Suggestions included the need for more activities, and more discussion. Total responses are
shown in Appendix C.2.
Consistent with other types of Team Leadership workshops, a large majority (92%) of
students enjoyed the Conflict Resolution sessions. When asked to identify what they enjoyed
the most, 10 respondents contributed 14 comments. The largest group of comments (10
comments) identified games and activities, including role playing. All of the responses are
shown in Appendix C.3.
General comments were offered by 5 respondents. Consistent with the other
assessment findings, respondents provided positive comments about their experience. All of
the comments are shown in Appendix C.4.
3.4 Understanding Motivation
A total of 11 respondents completed an assessment questionnaire. As shown below in
Figure 4, all respondents reported strongly positive outcomes from the Understanding
Motivation workshop. All of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the workshop
provided them with a good understanding of motivation theory, and that they were able to
identify strategies for motivating teams. Both sets of skills are important in meeting the program
outcomes of learning different theories of motivation, and learning how to work with varied
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motivations within a team. Additionally, 91% of the students indicated they had identified
strategies for giving feedback and rewards, and that they could identify different motivation
strategies and how they relate to leadership style both items represent Understanding
Motivation program outcomes. With respect to the overall workshop, all 11 respondents
enjoyed their session, and all agreed or strongly agreed that they learned a lot.
FIGURE 4
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE UNDERSTANDING MOTIVATION WORKSHOPS
54.6%
45.5%
45.5%
54.6%
63.6%
27.3%
9.1%
63.6%
27.3%
9.1%
72.7%
27.3%
45.5%
54.6%
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral/NA
Respondents were asked to identify any skills they gained in the workshop that they
would use in future leadership activities. A total of 7 respondents contributed 10 comments.
The largest group of comments related to skills around identifying different motivation strategies
and learning how to motivate people (a total of 5 comments). Respondents also noted they
acquired skills through learning motivation theories and the role of a leader as a motivating force
(a total of 4 comments). All of the comments are shown in Appendix D.1.
When asked about how the workshops could be improved, 6 respondents offered 6
suggestions. The students felt that the workshops should offer more activities, including role
playing. The results are shown in Appendix D.2.
As mentioned earlier, all of the 11 respondents indicated they enjoyed the workshop.
When asked to identify what they enjoyed the most, 8 respondents contributed 12 comments.
In particular, students noted that they appreciated the facilitator, group interaction, and the
informal atmosphere of the session. All of the responses are shown in Appendix D.3.
Only a few final comments were offered. Respondents made note of the activities, and
facilitator. All of the comments are shown in Appendix D.4.
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29.4%
76.5%
I enjoyed the workshop
23.5%
64.7%
29.4%
5.9%
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
64.7%
29.4%
5.9%
29.4%
29.4%
70.6%
70.6%
Respondents were asked to identify any skills they gained in the workshop that they
would use in future leadership activities. A total of 14 respondents contributed 22 comments.
The largest group of comments related to skills around how to encourage change (7
comments). Respondents also mentioned skills on how to manage change and how to respond
to resistance (8 comments). All of the comments are shown in Appendix E.1.
A total of 8 respondents contributed 12 comments regarding improving the workshop.
Suggestions varied, with the need for more games and activities, including role playing were
mentioned most often (a total of 6 comments). Respondents also called for more group
interaction (3 comments). Total responses are shown in Appendix E.2.
As mentioned earlier all of the respondents enjoyed the Facilitating Change workshops.
When asked to identify what they enjoyed the most, 16 respondents contributed 20 comments,
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with the largest group of responses identifying the activity based on the book, Who Moved my
Cheese (8 comments). Respondents also noted they appreciated the facilitator, the format of
the workshop, and information about change (a total of 6 comments). All of the responses are
shown in Appendix E.3.
General comments were offered by 6 respondents. Of the 7 general comments made,
the majority described positive experiences with workshop attended. All of the comments are
shown in Appendix E.4.
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APPENDICES
APPENDIX A.1
TEAM-BUILDING & GROUP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
List of Comments Made by 13 Respondents Related to the Question, What Skills Did
You Develop in this Workshop that You Will Use in Your Future Leadership Activities?
Number of
Comments
Total Comments
16
APPENDIX A.2
TEAM-BUILDING & GROUP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
List of Comments Made by 4 Respondents Related to the Question, Can You Think of
Any Other Activities that Should be Included in this Workshop?
Number of
Comments
Total Comments
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A-2
APPENDIX A.3
TEAM-BUILDING & GROUP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
List of Comments Made by 7 Respondents Related to the Question, What Did You Enjoy
the Most in this Workshop?
Number of
Comments
3
2
2
1
Total Comments
APPENDIX A.4
TEAM-BUILDING & GROUP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
Final Comments Contributed by 5 Respondents
Final Comments
great activities
great experience; good work; fun
great facilitator
great presentations
more activities
more group interaction
Total Comments
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Number of
Comments
1
1
1
1
1
1
6
A-3
APPENDIX B.1
GROUP FACILITATION WORKSHOPS
List of Comments Made by 87 Respondents Related to the Question, What Skills Did
You Develop in this Workshop that You Will Use in Your Future Leadership Activities?
Number of
Comments
31
16
11
15
15
7
8
facilitating groups/exercises/activities
apply ideas
Total Comments
134
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A-4
APPENDIX B.2
GROUP FACILITATION WORKSHOPS
List of Comments Made by 22 Respondents Related to the Question, Can You Think of
Any Other Activities that Should be Included in this Workshop?
Number of
Comments
5
faster pace
less briefing/lecturing
provide an outline/agenda
provide food/refreshments
Total Comments
23
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A-5
APPENDIX B.3
GROUP FACILITATION WORKSHOPS
List of Comments Made by 77 Respondents Related to the Question, What Did You
Enjoy the Most in this Workshop?
Number of
Comments
games, activities
32
icebreakers
11
island activity
22
facilitator
format of workshop
meeting people
getting handouts
Total Comments
94
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A-6
APPENDIX B.4
GROUP FACILITATION WORKSHOPS
Final Comments Contributed by 38 Respondents
Number of
Comments
Final Comments
great experience; good work; fun
18
great facilitator
great presentations
was insightful
more breaks
Total Comments
45
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A-7
APPENDIX C.1
CONFLICT RESOLUTION WORKSHOPS
List of Comments Made by 13 Respondents Related to the Question, What Skills Did
You Develop in this Workshop that You Will Use in Your Future Leadership Activities?
Number of
Comments
Total Comments
18
APPENDIX C.2
CONFLICT RESOLUTION WORKSHOPS
List of Comments Made by 3 Respondents Related to the Question, Can You Think of
Any Other Activities that Should be Included in this Workshop?
Number of
Comments
1
more discussion
Total Comments
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A-8
APPENDIX C.3
CONFLICT RESOLUTION WORKSHOPS
List of Comments Made by 10 Respondents Related to the Question, What Did You
Enjoy the Most in this Workshop?
Number of
Comments
games, activities
role playing
scenarios presented
Total Comments
14
APPENDIX C.4
CONFLICT RESOLUTION WORKSHOPS
Final Comments Contributed by 5 Respondents
Final Comments
Number of
Comments
great facilitator
Total Comments
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A-9
APPENDIX D.1
UNDERSTANDING MOTIVATION WORKSHOPS
List of Comments Made by 7 Respondents Related to the Question, What Skills Did You
Develop in this Workshop that You Will Use in Your Future Leadership Activities?
Number of
Comments
Total Comments
10
APPENDIX D.2
UNDERSTANDING MOTIVATION WORKSHOPS
List of Comments Made by 6 Respondents Related to the Question, Can You Think of
Any Other Activities that Should be Included in this Workshop?
Comments Related to
Improving the Workshops
Number of
Comments
more activities
more role playing
4
2
Total Comments
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A - 10
APPENDIX D.3
UNDERSTANDING MOTIVATION WORKSHOPS
List of Comments Made by 8 Respondents Related to the Question, What Did You Enjoy
the Most in this Workshop?
Number of
Comments
facilitator
enthusiasm
games, activities
handouts
practical information
Total Comments
12
APPENDIX D.4
UNDERSTANDING MOTIVATION WORKSHOPS
Final Comments Contributed by 2 Respondents
Final Comments
Number of
Comments
great facilitator
Total Comments
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A - 11
APPENDIX E.1
FACILITATING CHANGE WORKSHOPS
List of Comments Made by 14 Respondents Related to the Question, What Skills Did
You Develop in this Workshop that You Will Use in Your Future Leadership Activities?
Number of
Comments
responding to resistance
succession planning
organizational management/professionalism
Total Comments
22
APPENDIX E.2
FACILITATING CHANGE WORKSHOPS
List of Comments Made By 8 Respondents Related to the Question, Can You Think of
Any Other Activities that Should be Included in this Workshop?
Comments Related to
Improving the Workshops
more games/activities
more role playing, acting
Number of
Comments
3
3
more scenarios/examples
Total Comments
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12
A - 12
APPENDIX E.3
FACILITATING CHANGE WORKSHOPS
List of Comments Made by 16 Respondents Related to the Question, What Did You
Enjoy the Most in this Workshop?
Number of
Comments
games, activities
quizzes
facilitator
handouts
Total Comments
20
APPENDIX E.4
FACILITATING CHANGE WORKSHOPS
Final Comments Contributed by 6 Respondents
Final Comments
Number of
Comments
good activities
great facilitator
great presentations
Total Comments
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A - 13