Equipping the Senior Leadership Team with the Tools and Strategies to Navigate Change in Academia

Industry: Canadian Academic Institutions

Project: Equipping Senior Leadership with Tools and Strategies to Navigate Change

The Challenge

In 2024, Canadian academic institutions are navigating significant shifts in the educational landscape. The rapid acceleration of digital transformation, driven by the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to an increased reliance on hybrid learning models that blend in-person and online education. This shift demands that leadership teams are adept at managing both technological integration and maintaining educational quality.

Moreover, Ontario's colleges face the added complexity of responding to recent government decisions impacting the sector. The federal government has imposed a temporary cap on the number of study permits issued to international students, reducing the intake by 35% compared to 2023. This cap aims to address infrastructure strains and ensure quality education standards are maintained. For 2024, Ontario, which has the largest share of international students, is particularly affected with a significant reduction in study permit approvals.

Each year, we partner with this College to tackle new challenges and seize emerging opportunities. It is crucial for us to understand these evolving dynamics to tailor our leadership training programs to their specific context, ensuring that their leadership team is well-equipped to navigate and lead through these changes effectively.

The Partnership Approach

For over 8 years, Kirke Leadership has partnered with this client to provide tailored leadership development. We believe success starts with understanding our client's unique business strategies and objectives. By collaborating closely with the People and Organizational Development Team, we gain deep insights into the specific needs and challenges of their institution and the participants. Our annual meetings ensure that our programs remain aligned, relevant, and impactful.

KLI’s Competitive Advantage

Kirke Leadership (KLI) stands out in the crowded field of leadership training due to our ability to partner with consistent warmth, professionalism, and a relentless commitment to success for our clients. Our trainers are experienced professionals who bring real-world insights and a deep understanding of the external variables impacting the way we need to navigate and lead through change today and into the future. Additionally, our commitment to continuous improvement ensures that our programs evolve in response to emerging trends and client feedback.

The Solution

KLI delivers the "Leading Change" program annually for this dedicated group of leaders using the "ExperienceChange®" simulation by ExperiencePoint. Facilitated by certified practitioners from the KLI team, the simulation is available in both English and French and is delivered in a 1-day session or in 2 half days. For this client, we started with in-person sessions several years ago and have now fully migrated to the virtual space for greater equity and accessibility. This simulation is highly engaging online as participants work in both the main space and breakout rooms to strategize and implement change while receiving feedback and tools from the facilitator.

The simulation component of the program, ExperienceChange®, equips participants to lead, manage, and adapt to change initiatives. This award-winning, simulation-based workshop encourages collaboration to assess, plan, and implement organizational change successfully. Participants develop critical skills and a shared language to navigate change effectively.

Simulation Objectives:

• Embrace a human-centered approach to leading change using effective models and tools.
• Lead change deliberately and effectively, engaging your team in the process.

Experience Outcomes:

• Accelerate adoption of new ideas with an engaging and empowering approach.
• Enhance customer and employee engagement by fostering an empathetic, user-centered mindset.
• Reduce project risks by learning to identify and mitigate change drivers and barriers.
• Improve decision-making and secure stakeholder buy-in with clear, intentional involvement.