Inner Development Goals: Experience in Leadership Training in Higher Education

This chapter summarizes the effects of working with the dimensions of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) and their intervention tools among technical, administrative, and service (TAS) staff members who mostly hold positions of responsibility at Universidad de la República (UdelaR), de Uruguay – University of Uruguay. The instrument implemented was a workshop-format course offered by the authors through the Continuing Education Program of the School of Government (EDG) of this higher education institution (HEI). Over a two-month period, eight participants—six leaders and two students deprived of liberty—took part in eight virtual sessions of ninety minutes each, aimed at exploring the five dimensions of the IDGs. The six staff members in leadership positions confirmed the need to strengthen their inner capacities to better support their work teams. Although the sample size was small and the results cannot be generalized, participants in leadership roles agreed on the importance of acquiring tools that would enable them to empower their teams, manage conflicts, and improve the work climate. Participants reported feeling better prepared and equipped with more practical tools to design interventions aimed at enhancing interpersonal relationships and fostering collaborative work. Among the most significant outcomes, they highlighted that the continuous implementation of workshops on the IDGs and their toolbox strengthened the understanding and internalization of key leadership competencies within the HEI. Moreover, active participation and the exchange of experiences were identified as fundamental elements for acquiring practical tools, which directly contributed to improved team management and workplace climate.