UZH Leadership and Management Principles

The University of Zurich (UZH) is a knowledge institution which operates with a high degree of self-organization and participation on the part of its members. This requires a leadership and management culture that strikes a balance between the freedom that is needed for engaging in research and teaching on the one hand, and the economic requirements of the organizational units on the other.

Leadership at UZH comprises leading yourself, leading others and leading and managing organizational units. These are the three contexts based on which the principles are described. They are binding on all leaders and managers.

A healthy leadership culture is the result of a collaborative development process involving leaders/managers and the members of their team. In this respect, the leadership and management principles provide direction and clarity for all staff and promote a common understanding of what it means to lead.

The leadership and management principles set out specific behaviors and are supplemented with links to basic information as well as support services and continuing education programs. They provide the framework for UZH’s leadership tools and are regularly developed and extended to include, among other things, the latest research findings on good leadership practice.

Leading Yourself

• Leaders and managers perform their roles in line with UZH values.
• Leaders and managers take personal responsibility and ownership.
• Leaders and managers practice appropriate self-leadership.
• Leaders and managers anticipate change and shape the future.

Leading Others

• Leaders and managers act proactively.
• Leaders and managers communicate clearly, positively and effectively.
• Leaders and managers foster a feedback culture.
• Leaders and managers focus on solutions.
• Leaders and managers take a participatory approach.
• Leaders and managers promote gender equality, equal opportunities and inclusion.

Leading and Managing Organizational Units

• Leaders and managers take an integrated approach to their area of responsibility.
• Leaders and managers create the right framework.
• Leaders and managers think ahead.
• Leaders and managers use resources sparingly.

On the following website, employees can find further information and tools regarding leadership principles.
UZH for Staff: Leadership and Management Principles