Management basics

The position

The client is in the financial services sector, needing to take on board new ways of working prompted by legislation and the Financial Services Authority – and, as with all companies in this sector, under constant scrutiny from the media, all too happy to report on any mistakes or misdemeanours. They expect a lot from their staff and work to tight deadlines.

The client already had an internal development programme for new managers covering project management, finance and team leadership. Realising the pivotal nature of team leadership, they asked us to take on this module to help managers develop the skills that would get the best out of their teams.

How did we tackle it?

This was to be the first stage of the new managers’ development within the business. We realised the programme had to be practical and focused on their everyday work situations to give them something to get their teeth into which would show immediate benefits.

So we used outdoor exercises – nothing physically demanding – that became increasingly complex and culminated in a large group exercise. This allowed them to give and receive feedback on their own and others’ behaviour and management style. Group reviews, workshops and some theory supported the exercises. In the final part of the programme, participants received one to one feedback which led into their action plans for implementation back at work.

The programme covered:

  • leadership styles
  • team development
  • problem solving
  • giving and receiving feedback
  • communication
  • motivating teams and individuals

What did it achieve?

The participants really appreciated the structure and energy of the programme, its focus on practical work topics and the fact that they weren’t overloaded with management theory. The theoretical input helped them put the practical challenges into context. As a result, they were:

  • more aware of, and better able to apply, management skills
  • more confident and effective at tackling problems within their teams
  • able to exploit their newly-established networks across business functions which reduced functional conflicts and misunderstandings.

Email Lucy Neale or phone 0117 934 9738