This document discusses leading projects when not formally in a leadership role. It identifies some key factors that would motivate participation in a large project such as career progression, having a clear role, and teamwork. Effective leadership approaches are also outlined like having a clear vision, motivating others with a positive attitude, being participatory, demonstrating authority and problem solving skills, providing incentives and rewards, and facilitating teamwork. An example leadership role is provided for a University Museums Officer position that would involve leading the development of a museum consortium and creating new collaborative working approaches across multiple museums.

1. Leading
…. when you’re not in charge
Liz Hide
Moving on Up February 2014

2. For example:
What
would
make you
take part
in a big
project?
• incentives – career progression
& visibility
• incentives – cake, beer
• a clear role for me, and it’s clear
who’s leading the project
• my contribution is respected
• I enjoy being part of a bigger
project
• teamwork, motivation
• it looks like fun

3. clear vision
Leadership
qualities and
approaches
motivating, can-do attitude
participatory approach
authority and respect
negotiation and problem
solving
incentives and rewards
teamwork and facilitation
………

4. University of Cambridge
Museums Officer
• lead the UCM’s ACE-funded Major Partner
Museum Programme: Connecting Collections
• work with 8 museum directors and c200 staff
• Lead the development of the UCM consortium
• Create new ways of collaborative working across
all aspects of the museums’ work

5. A new event?
What
could you
lead?
A new system?
A new programme?
A new partnership?
A job that no one is doing?
A new way of working?

6. Have a vision
How could
you lead?

Work out how to get there

Negotiate, motivate,
inspire

Recognise and reward

7. Now get going ….

8. Thank you
and
good luck!
Liz Hide
 eah12@cam.ac.uk
@TheMuseumofLiz
University of Cambridge Museums
www.cam.ac.uk/museums
@CamUnivMuseums
Cambridge University Museums