Leading teams (in science)
Leading teams (in science)
1, 8 & 18 December 2026, 9h - 17h
General context
Leading a (research) team brings both opportunities and challenges. It requires balancing (scientific) expertise with the ability to inspire others, adapt your leadership style, and build trust in diverse situations.
This program supports emerging and experienced leaders in developing essential leadership skills.
After this training, you will:
- Understand the difference between leadership, management, and coaching, and when to use each.
- Identify your leadership style through self-assessment and peer feedback.
- Apply different leadership styles effectively in context-specific situations.
- Motivate and engage team members using clear goals and feedback.
- Build trust and collaboration through active listening and coaching conversations.
- Tackle real leadership challenges with confidence and create an action plan for growth.
This program combines intensive workshops, peer learning, and ongoing reflection to ensure real impact:
- Before the training: Complete a leadership self-assessment, gather 360° feedback, and define your learning objectives.
- During the training: Three days of training on leadership principles, spread out over multiple weeks, to enable putting theory into practice. There will be reflection sessions during the training and exchange sessions between the training days. Learn through group exercises, self-reflection, and peer coaching.
- After the training: Apply tools in your work, join peer discussions, and access online resources for continued support.
VIB postdocs, staff scientists and young group leaders.
Participants should expect an immersive experience and be prepared to actively engage and practice between sessions.
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
01 December 2026 - 18 December 2026
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Herestraat 49
3000 Leuven
Belgium
01 December 2026 - 18 December 2026
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Leuven train station is approximately 4 km from the campus Gasthuisberg. Buses depart very regularly to the Gasthuisberg Campus from Leuven train station.
For tickets and up to date schedules visit website De Lijn or use the De Lijn App.
Exit at the very last bus stop ‘Gasthuisberg Campus) make sure not to exit at ‘Gasthuisberg Kliniek =
hospital)
Once you get off the bus, go to your right and go up the street until you see stairs to your left. Climb the stairs all the way up between two buildings. Look for the signs containing blue circles and white numbers and follow them all the way from 2 up to number 12. You will cross several buildings and the walk will take max. 10 minutes. When you reach number 12, you have reached O&N 5, where you can find the reception.
01 December 2026 - 18 December 2026
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
The Gasthuisberg campus is west of the Leuven ring. Our buildings are situated behind the hospital (see black arrow near ‘RING NOORD’ on the map). If you come from the city center, you will arrive on campus from the east side (taking Mgr. Van Waeyenberglaan and roundabout Het Teken). If you come from Heverlee or Campus Arenberg, you will arrive from the west side (taking the Celestijnenlaan and Taborweg). When you arrive uphill at the intersection with the Rega Institute and the Red Cross building, you need to take the road down to the bicycle parking at Rega Institute (see map) where you can park. Next, follow the ‘Onderwijs & Navorsing blue route’ description below (start point is #9).
01 December 2026 - 18 December 2026
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
You arrive via the E314 highway – EXIT 16
After 200 m, keep left to drive underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
You arrive via the Leuven ring road
At the roundabout, take the exit towards ‘Spoed / Ziekenhuis’.
Follow the ring around Campus Gasthuisberg and pass the entrance of SPOED.
Continue right until you arrive at a second roundabout.
Follow the directions for E314.
Near the Fire Brigade Station, make a U-turn and follow the directions for ‘Ziekenhuis’.
Keep left and drive downhill, underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
Next, leave the parking at level +1 using the big stairs near the vending machines.
Follow the red carpet and arrows to 'Onco Dagcentrum' to get to the O&N buildings. Take the stairs on your left after exiting Parking West. You are now in front of the O&N4 building; on the left you will find O&N5.