Leadership lessons for engineering undergraduates

Harper Adams engineering students don't just learn engineering - we seek to equip our graduates with a range of skills and knowledge to help them thrive in industry. 

Recently, students had a Leadership lesson from the University's Vice-Chancellor (the leader of Harper Adams), Professor Ken Sloan. 

Professor Sloan writes: "As well as exploring different models of leadership and management, we explored how each student’s leadership DNA was already being formed during their time at university. I shared how mine had developed through experience and just how bad a manager I was at the beginning of my career.

"We also explored where they currently sit intuitively in leadership and management behaviours and attributes, and what they may want to develop to expand their toolkit.

"We looked at the impact of intovert and extrovert personality types on leadership behaviour. I shared what it is like being an introvert in an extrovert’s job.

Finally, we explored the difference between kindness and niceness as a leader and how only one is essential for your toolkit. We examined the role of authentic listening in being kind.

"Thank you to the students and staff present for engaging so well with the topic and the contributions they all made in an interactive and discursive session. I also shared my recommended reading."

Engineering courses manager. James Croxford, responded: "Thank you, Professor Ken Sloan for kicking off our series of guest speakers this term.

"An absolutely fascinating talk to all our Engineering students, setting a high bar for our 'Industry Engagement' sessions, which will add another dimension to our already brilliant curriculum at Harper Adams University!"