At the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, leadership has recently become an increasingly important topic – not as a buzzword, but as a skill that helps science thrive. That’s why, in collaboration with the agency Aztéka, we organized the conference “How to Handle Leadership: An Honest Look at What Leaders Really Need.”
Almost a hundred people from both academic and non-academic sectors attended. The discussion touched on topics that often stay behind closed doors – pressure, empathy, social security and the simple fact that sometimes things just don’t work out.
Each speaker brought a unique perspective – from vastly different environments and in their own language, but all circling the same question: What turns a manager into a true leader?
Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy, director of the Turkish Polar Research Institute, took the audience all the way to Antarctica. She spoke about leading in extreme conditions – and why diversity is more than just a nice number in a report.
Martin Janáček from SAP Labs Brno showed that even in a global tech company, you can raise the share of women from 9% to 22% – not through quotas, but by changing the way you think and act.
Tomáš Ervín Dombrovský brought what we value most: data, facts, and real-world insight. No gut feelings – just a clear view of the job market. He spoke about flexibility, adaptability, and resilience – the traits that now determine who can keep up, and who can’t.
Michal Hummel, psychologist and coach, delivered the most entertaining talk of the day – and yet tackled serious issues: emotions, empathy, and psychological safety as cornerstones of a strong and resilient team.
What resonated most was a panel discussion with four of our faculty’s research group leaders – Petra Přibylová, Norbert Werner, Marie Kotasová Adámková, Peter Fabian – joined by Michal Hummel.
Thanks to candid questions from the audience, the conversation went deep into what it takes to create a supportive, motivating team culture, and why that matters.
The questions focused on real situations, values, and the human side of leadership. It became clear that open, honest leadership isn't something we only talk about – it's something we actively try to live at our faculty.
Participant feedback confirmed it: this conference had both depth and energy.
But inspiration alone isn’t enough. That’s why we’re following up with a series of workshops and coaching sessions for team leaders.
Our goal is simple: to make leadership not just a trend, but a real strength.
A tool that helps us meet today’s challenges – and move science forward.
Inclusive leadership in science quickly proves to be everyday practice — shaping the environment we create for collaboration and performance. That is why at SCI MUNI we organized a workshop focused on concrete tools and agreements that improve both teamwork and scientific outcomes — and we are continuing with further topics and coaching.
HR Excellence in Research Award retained — We received the highest possible rating, “Accepted” as one of the first institutions in the Czech Republic. What did the panel praise, and what does it recommend we improve?
