The University of Freiburg publishes its leadership guidelines
Freiburg, 31/07/2025
The university-wide leadership guidelines are intended to contribute to a common understanding of leadership, promote respectful cooperation and strengthen the University’s future viability.
The University of Freiburg has published university-wide leadership guidelines. The guidelines inform University employees about roles and responsibilities and provide binding guidance for all persons who assume responsibility for employees and leadership tasks. The aim is to create an open, respectful working environment that promotes creativity, provides freedom and enables top performance.
Guidelines for a sustainable university culture
“Good leadership is crucial for a sustainable university. It provides orientation, strengthens trust and promotes an environment in which everyone can develop to their full potential,” emphasises Prof. Dr. Sylvia Paletschek, Vice Rector for University Culture, who is responsible for the project together with Chancellor Christina Leib. “With our leadership guidelines, we want to establish a common understanding of leadership and cooperation based on the values of our mission statement: quality, responsibility and openness.”
Prof. Dr. Sylvia Paletschek
Vice Rector for University Culture
Christina Leib
Chancellor
The leadership guidelines not only support managers, but also let employees know what they can expect from their superiors. The aim is to foster good, respectful leadership based on mutual, transparent communication. “Our leadership guidelines are aimed at all members of the University. It was very important to us in order to show that we are all responsible for their implementation – employees and their managers alike,” says Leib.
A university-wide process
Fränk Großmann
Mechanical workshop
Christine Jägle
Chairwoman of the Staff Council
Nine leadership guidelines are the result of a university-wide process involving a large number of university members. In June 2024, a cross-status project group assembled by the Senate began drafting the leadership guidelines. These 21 University employees were supported by external process facilitators.
The draft leadership guidelines were discussed jointly at a dialogue event in early February 2025. Over 120 members from academia, administration, services and technology actively participated in the exchange. In the spring, the guidelines were presented and further developed in the University committees, where they were adopted in June 2025. Future transfer measures, for example in the form of workshops or consultation formats, will follow. This should ensure that the guidelines are firmly anchored in everyday University life.
Dr. Stephanie Boye
Administrative employee
Prof. Dr. Frank Balle
Dean of the Faculty of Engineering