INORMS Congress Madrid 2025

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Mastering Leadership: The Human Side

Mastering Leadership in Research Management: Unlocking the Power of Soft Skills, Communication, and People-Centered Success

Author

EB
Eva Bjorndal

Co-Authors

Conference

INORMS Congress Madrid 2025

Format: Oral 20 Minutes

Topic: 1. Building Better RMA services

Abstract

Over the past five decades, research management has undergone profound transformations. As the scope of research explodes across disciplines and country borders, managers are not only tasked with navigating complex regulatory and compliance landscapes while mastering the most critical element of leadership: people management.

In a world where technical expertise often takes center stage, it's easy to underestimate the importance of the human side of leadership. The "soft" stuff—communication, empathy, and relationship-building—is often the hardest to master, yet it is these nuanced and subtle skills that truly define exceptional leaders. How well you manage relationships will often determine your success as a leader in this fast-evolving field.

This session will explore the core human attributes that elevate research managers—effective communication, empathy, transparency, and the ability to build cohesive, high-performing teams. You’ll gain practical insights, real-world examples, and strategies to help you succeed as a leader!

Learning outcomes:
1. Core Leadership Attributes: The session will highlight key attributes such as communication, empathy, transparency, and team-building, which are essential for leading high-performing teams.
2. Practical Insights for Leadership: Attendees will leave with actionable strategies and real-world examples to enhance their leadership capabilities in research management.