Management Development Institute (MDI)

Introduction

In the Fall of 2003, Human Resources Training & Development offered the UK’s first development program for mid- and upper-level managers, the Management Development Institute (MDI).  The first MDI was based on the successful framework of the UKadvance Leadership Development Institute.  Thirty managers from across the University were selected by the executive staff to participate.  The primary components of MDI were a team project and the three day institute.  For the team project, managers were divided into six groups of five and charged with developing a twenty minute presentation on an assigned topic of university-wide interest.  During the three day institute, participants learned about a range of topics and issues pertaining to the university, and they attended a workshop on communication and leadership styles.  On the last day, teams gave their presentations to their colleagues and the executive staff. Overall, the first MDI is considered to be a big success.

The 2005 MDI built upon the success of the previous institute and improve on the model.  Participants again worked on a team project and learned about issues pertaining to the university in addition to undergoing a more thorough leadership skills assessment and spending more time on leadership training.  The team project was sponsored by administrators who then take the project and its work forward towards implementation.

What are the goals of MDI?

The goals of MDI are to assist participants in expanding their skills as managers and leaders and deepening their knowledge of the institution and the challenges it faces in the present and future.

How are participants selected?

The President, the Provost and the Executive Vice Presidents nominate participants from their areas.  To be accepted, participants must meet the following criteria:

• manages supervisors or manages multiple functions
• has budgeting responsibilities
• is in a job at grade level 47 (Hospital grade level 12) or above
• demonstrates the potential to assume greater management responsibilities

The class typically has between 25-30 participants.