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Personal Leaders Program

The Personal Leaders Program is a highly practical and engaging program designed for participants to develop skills focused on discovering and leading self.

Personal Leaders at McMaster are individual contributors. Typical roles include (but not limited to): analyst, assistant, coordinator, administrator, post doctoral fellow, research assistant.

For further information about our different Leadership Development programs and to confirm which might be right for you, explore here.

leadership

Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort, open July 2, 2026, and close September 30 or when the program reaches capacity.

Program Information

Learning Objectives: participants in this program will learn to become more self-aware of their work-style preferences, build cultural competence to enhance team work, and improve communications skills. Read more in the program overview.

Credential: individuals who successfully complete program requirements will be issued a certificate of completion in digital format.  

Eligibility: McMaster employees are eligible provided they are employed: a) on a part-time or full-time continuing or contractually limited appointment of at least 1 year; or, b) under the terms of a Collective Agreement, written contract or employment contract which specifically extends the Tuition Assistance benefit to employees. It is recommended employees have been in their current role for 6 months as of the program start date. Employees must be employed by McMaster throughout the duration of the program.

One of the benefits of McMaster’s Leadership Programs is the opportunity to meet and learn from others with cohorts consisting of members from different faculties and departments across the community. To ensure there is representation across the organization within a cohort, program organizers may limit the number of individuals enrolled from the same unit or department.

This program is funded by McMaster University. Participants are not required to make up the time away from their role to participate in this training. The Personal Leaders Program is delivered by McMaster Continuing Education (MCE) and sponsored by Human Resources Services.

Questions? Contact WeAreAllLeaders@mcmaster.ca

Dates/Time (5 sessions):

  • Wednesday, October 7, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
  • Wednesday, October 21, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
  • Wednesday, November 4, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
  • Wednesday, November 18, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
  • Wednesday, December 9, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm*

*Note: the final session, December 9, will be delivered in-person, location to be determined, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Details will be confirmed closer to the session date.

Program Format

  • 30 contact hours including live and online/self–study formats
  • 4 virtual live sessions via Zoom (3 – 3.5 hours each) and a final in-person session (6 hours)
  • Approximate online self-study time commitment is 3 hours per session
  • Pre-session work may include individual assessments, videos, articles, worksheets, self-reflection exercises, discussion board postings, etc.
  • All materials will be distributed through Avenue to Learn

Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort, open July 2, 2026, and close September 30 or when the program reaches capacity.

Application & Registration

Complete the following steps:

1. Review this opportunity with your supervisor.

2. Complete the Online Application. Be sure you are logged out of other Mosaic tabs/browsers before beginning your application!

  1. As a McMaster employee, login to the application page using your Mac ID.
  2. Identify the specific program to which you want to apply (Personal Leaders).
  3. Always save the information on the application pages before you proceed to the next items.

3. Complete the Participant Commitment Form and upload the PDF to your online application.

4. Ask your supervisor to review your learning goals and complete the Supervisor Support Form and upload the PDF to your online application.

NOTES:

  • If you are unable to sign or edit the PDF forms, please email a statement of support and/or commitment to WeAreAllLeaders@mcmaster.ca. Indicate applicant’s name and program in your email.
  • In the Mosaic application interface, you will be asked to upload various documents.  Please ignore those instructions.  You only need to upload the two forms noted in items 3 and 4 above.  Do not upload any other items.
  • Applications will be reviewed after all materials have been submitted, and applicants will be notified of acceptance within 1-2 weeks. Upon acceptance, individuals must register in the appropriate program.
  • Once admitted, individuals will receive an email with registration link to formally register in the program.
  • Participants will receive program information, including any required pre-assignment, one week prior to the program start date.

Participant Requirement

Participation in these programs is of critical importance. Participants must attend and participate in all 5 virtual/in-person sessions and submit the required assignments in order to receive a Certificate of Completion.

Withdrawing from the Program

All withdrawal notifications must be submitted via email to WeAreAllLeaders@mcmaster.ca.

Additional Information

Program Information Webinar Learn More

Leading at McMaster Learn More

Behavioural Examples for Personal Leaders Learn More