ABSTRACT
This chapter explores six key elements of taking a collaborative approach to Programme Leadership. It comes from the personal perspective of a creative arts practitioner who uses ensemble work to realise the creative endeavours based within the programme. This chapter explores how implicit ensemble practice is explicitly enacted to create meaningful collaboration at the programme level. The six elements are: (1) an underpinning desire to work truly collaboratively; (2) making collaboration an authentic part of leadership practice; (3) acceptance that true collaboration takes time; (4) awareness of the critical intersection between vertical and horizontal organisational structures; (5) enabling staff to work in their area of expertise; and (6) recognition that true collaboration is a holistic process. For each element, examples are provided to explore how collaboration is built and maintained in order to demonstrate the value of the practice within Higher Education Programme Leadership. From Malta, Piquero Alvarez's practitioner response to Jamieson's work highlights the value of fostering one's practical knowledge for the benefit of programme design.
