Grow to lead - leadership & teamwork
Grow to lead - leadership & teamwork
11 &12 September (09h – 17h), 2 October 2025 (09h - 17h)
General context
A starting leader will learn the simple rule, to write down how you want to be lead, and then apply the same strategy for your employee’s. A great leader will learn that there are many different leadership styles and each style has its most opportune moment to use. The opportune moments depend on the situation and the employee. Do you know what style works best for your colleagues? Do you know what your personal preferred style is, and how it is being perceived by your colleagues / students / employees?
This training starts with a leadership survey, self‐identifying your personal style and receiving feedback from your colleagues on your style. Next we will cover the different leadership styles and when to apply them. For the 3 most important styles, we will go step by step when and how to used them. Putting theory in practice.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Distinguish between leadership, management, and coaching, and describe when each role is appropriate.
- Identify their personal leadership style through self-assessment and peer feedback.
- Recognize and apply different leadership styles (visionary, individualized, participative) in context-dependent situations.
- Inspire and motivate team members using value-based leadership and appropriate goal-setting strategies.
- Provide clear, result-oriented feedback that supports performance and growth.
- Build trust and effective working relationships through active listening and asking the right coaching questions.
- Delegate tasks and responsibilities effectively to foster ownership and participation.
- Create collaborative partnerships and leverage “power of moments” to engage teams.
- Translate real leadership challenges into action plans and reflect on leadership growth with peers.
- Sustain learning through peer group discussions, continued practice, and access to post-training support materials.
This training is a leadership development trajectory, not a one-off workshop. It begins with a two-day intensive deep-dive, followed by a third session focused on reflection and application. Pre-work and post-training activities are integral parts of the program.
- Before the training, participants complete a leadership self-assessment and gather 360° feedback from colleagues, supervisors, or students. They define personal learning objectives and submit a real-life leadership case.
- During the training, theory and tools are applied to practical challenges. Group exercises, self-reflection, and peer coaching form the basis of the learning process.
- Between sessions, participants meet in small groups to discuss the application of tools in their work environment.
- After the training, optional peer-led discussions are supported via online materials, a group facilitator, and access to the trainer.
Participants should be prepared to invest time and effort. This program is best suited for those who are serious about growing as leaders and willing to engage deeply with the material and their peers.
VIB postdocs, staff scientists and young group leaders.
- This training is only open for VIB participants and is free.
- Note that upon no show without valid justification a fee of € 100 will be charged and you will be blacklisted for the VIB training program for 1 year. Click here for more information.
Trainers
Robin Lefebvre
Robin Lefebvre, PhD, offers the academic community over 10 years of evidence-based leadership development expertise, with a proven track record of empowering researchers and professors across leading Belgian universities (VIB, UGent, UA, VUB, and others). He translates his extensive experience as an R&D Leader and corporate trainer at Procter & Gamble into highly hands-on training approaches that effectively bridge theory and practice. Drawing on his background, which includes leading significant innovation programs for global brands and contributing to organizational restructuring, he delivers leadership training focused on inspirational leadership, adaptive leadership, and cultivating collaborative innovation. Robin is dedicated to equipping academic leaders with essential skills to maximize their impact and foster an environment of continuous growth.
Practical info
11 September 2025 - 02 October 2025
Ghent - Bio-Accelerator Meeting Center
Technologiepark 21
9052 Zwijnaarde
Belgium
11 September 2025 - 02 October 2025
Ghent - Bio-Accelerator Meeting Center
From Ghent Sint-Pieters station, you can take a bus to Technologiepark. Please check Routeplanner De Lijn for schedules.
11 September 2025 - 02 October 2025
Ghent - Bio-Accelerator Meeting Center
Looking for a custom cycling route? Try the online cycling route planner to easily and quickly identify the fastest, safest and/or most scenic route to any destination in Ghent.
Cycling route planner
Shared bicycles:
Several providers are active in the area.
Take a look at their platforms:
- Indigo Weel Pro app
- Bluebike
- DOTT
- BOLT eBikes
- Donkey Republic
There are also some public bicycle pumps at the park.
11 September 2025 - 02 October 2025
Ghent - Bio-Accelerator Meeting Center
There is only one entrance to Technologiepark. At the entrance, please take a ticket - Parking is only allowed in regular parking spots (for instance in front of the building) and in the new parking tower. Parking alongside the roads or in other places where there is no regular parking is prohibited.
11 September 2025 - 02 October 2025
Ghent - Bio-Accelerator Meeting Center
+32 9 328 19 02
info@bio-accelerator.com
Room Rosalind Franklin: 11-12 September
Room Jeff Schell: 2 October