Getting managers up to speed

The position

Our client was under significant pressure to improve effectiveness and performance. As part of a radical change strategy, the senior team identified a key group of first-line and middle managers – about 300 of them – who would be instrumental in making the new strategy happen. But they needed training in core management skills. Up to this point the managers had received little formal training and were sometimes nervous and hostile to the prospect of training.

How did we tackle it?

This was, and is, an interesting project for us. The senior team had strong views about what should be included in the programme. The brief was prescriptive. Our task was to design a programme that got some strong messages across to a cynical and suspicious audience, with lasting effect. The result was a programme of three modules lasting seven days in total, with three weeks between each module.

Module one - two days, covered managing yourself, leadership styles and self-awareness, combining theory with outdoor exercises. This succeeded in dispelling the initial hostility by midday on day one.

Module two - three days, covered managing people, how other people tick, how to manage the approach and response, motivation and coaching to get peak performance.

Module three - two days, covered interviewing skills – recruitment, performance review, disciplinary, feedback – using actors on day two so the participants could practise their skills.

The first two modules were residential. On module two, an executive member had a pre-dinner slot to respond to questions – frequently wide-ranging – and stayed on for informal discussions with the participants over dinner. This went down very well with the participants and was equally worthwhile for the executive member. And the modular approach meant that we could review and discuss the participants’ action plans at the beginning of the next module.

What did it achieve?

The business sector has well-publicised performance measures. The performance improved enormously and fulfilled the success criteria for change programme.

The participants found the content relevant and our approach engaging and practical.

We’ve developed an insight into the culture of the company and the challenges the staff and the business face and have become more of a partner than simply a provider.

Email Lucy Neale or phone 0117 315 5243