Fearless leadership: Developing the personal skills that shape how we lead
Fearless leadership: Developing the personal skills that shape how we lead
30 October 2026, 9h - 17h30
13, 20, 27 November, 4 December 2026 (online modules)
11 December 2026, 9h - 11h (online action lab)
General context
Leading in research is not just about expertise; it’s about how we act under pressure. This program helps scientific leaders build the mindset, behaviors, and emotional agility required to lead with clarity and courage. Drawing on leading research (Brené Brown, Amy Edmondson), the program explores trust, psychological safety, values-based decision-making, feedback under pressure, and self-regulation to create high-performing, resilient teams.
After this program, you will be able to:
Recognize and shift from reactive, self-protective patterns to values-based leadership
Apply practical tools to build trust, accountability, and psychological safety
Navigate difficult conversations with clarity, empathy, and intellectual humility
Strengthen your ability to stay effective and composed under pressure
Translate insights into concrete actions that foster sustainable team performance
This 6-week blended program (max. 10 participants) emphasizes experiential learning, deliberate practice, and peer support:
Orientation (30min, online): Introduction establishing expectations.
Foundation Day (8hours, live): Focusing on automatic protective responses and values-based leadership.
Modules 1-4 (2h, online): internal barriers, building psychological safety, feedback, managing emotional reactions
Action Lab (2h, online): Practical application of skills in real leadership situations
Ongoing support: Weekly emails with workplace insights
VIB Senior PostDocs, senior career researchers, PIs, and HQ leaders.
Trainers
Sonja Noss
Sonja is an independent coach and trainer specialized in mental health prevention, mindfulness-based resilience, and human skills — designed especially for academics and researchers in international, high-performance environments.
She support knowledge workers in preventing burnout, sharpening focus, and building the confidence to lead with clarity and compassion.
Practical info
30 October 2026 - 11 December 2026
VIB HQ
Suzanne Tassierstraat 1
9052 Gent
Belgium
30 October 2026 - 11 December 2026
VIB HQ
There is a shuttle bus (MaxMobiel) that runs between Ghent Sint Pieters railway station and Eiland Zwijnaarde. The VIB stop is the third (and last) stop on the inward journey. You can also get off the bus at Mainfreight (first stop) and cover the last 350 metres on foot.
You can find the schedule via this link: https://max-mobiel.be/en/shuttle-lines/shuttle-line/gent-sint-pieters-eiland-zwijnaarde
Please inform us upfront if you wish to make use of this shuttle so we can provide you with a QR code that you will need to show to the driver.
30 October 2026 - 11 December 2026
VIB HQ
Use the high-quality cycling infrastructure to and from the business park and borrow shared bikes from Blue Bike, Donkey Republic or Dott (electric bikes) from various pick-up points in Ghent and the surrounding area. You can also quickly and easily plan your route using the online Cycling Route Planner of the City of Ghent.
30 October 2026 - 11 December 2026
VIB HQ
Parking is only allowed in the Maaiveldparking (Bertha De Vriesestraat 5, Zwijnaarde). Reservations in advance are required, so please let us know your license plate if you wish us to reserve a parking spot.
30 October 2026 - 11 December 2026
VIB HQ
+32 9 244 66 11