Leadership Development Program

The Leadership Development Program at HZDR is based on the HZDR Guiding Principles and the HZDR Leadership Guidelines and is designed to support you in enhancing your skills and implementing the guidelines in practice. Together, we are building a vibrant and sustainable leadership culture at HZDR.

Program Goals

• Strengthening leadership skills, e.g., developing competencies such as communication, decision-making, and conflict management
• Strategic alignment, e.g., implementing HZDR goals into daily work.
• Employee motivation: e.g., fostering appreciation, promoting engagement, and enhancing team dynamics.
• Self-reflection: fostering self-awareness and personal development as a leader.
• Strengthening networking and exchange among leaders.
  
  

Who is Eligible?

This year, the program is specifically tailored for Institute and Department Heads. Starting in 2026, additional formats and training opportunities will be introduced for (junior) group leaders, ensuring that this essential leadership level is also well-supported.

CONTENT of the Program:

1. Leadership Retreat for Networking

A highlight of the program is the Leadership Retreat, a two-day event that provides space for intensive networking, small group collaboration, and hands-on discussions on key leadership topics.

Date: August 25–26, 2025
Location: To be announced (off-site)
Format: Lunch-to-lunch

2. Training Opportunities

In addition, we offer targeted training sessions on at least three core leadership topics. One key focus will be feedback culture. The selection of additional topics will be made in collaboration with the leadership team. Please cast your vote by February 15: https://survey.hifis.dkfz.de/147936?lang=en. The dates will be published here shortly. We kindly ask you to commit to attending at least one session.

3. Peer Case Consultation

In a structured exchange with other leaders, you will reflect on challenging situations, gain new perspectives, and develop concrete courses of action. If you are interested, feel free to contact us!

4. Cross-Mentoring

Tandems between an aspiring or less experienced leader (mentee) and an experienced leader (mentor) from another organization in the Dresden area enable open and hierarchy-free exchanges of experiences across organizational boundaries on all leadership-related topics. More information can be found here.

The cost is €3,750 per mentee, which must be covered by your organizational unit. For scientists with a PhD earned within the past 12 years, the Career Center will cover the cost upon successful application. Participation in the program as a mentor is free of charge.