How can we develop manager skills and competencies while reinforcing our company culture and strategic priorities?
At a Glance
Client:
Professional Services Company
Goal:
Build manager skills and competencies while reinforcing company culture
Service:
Training & Development
The Opportunity
A large professional services company recognized the critical role of effective people managers in shaping team member experience, fostering growth and development, and enabling performance. The company had recently refreshed its talent strategy emphasizing inclusive career growth and innovation, and managers were the lynchpin in operationalizing the strategy. With many managers across the company new to managing people, the organization needed to quickly address the competency gap and build critical manager skills in order for the culture shift to be successful.
The organization needed to quickly address the competency gap and build critical manager skills in order for the culture shift to be successful
The Solution
Paradox began by confirming objectives for the manager development program including understanding the competencies that were most important for success within this company’s culture and the company’s holistic view of an effective manager. From there, our team collaboratively designed a cohort model that would enable new managers to make the shift from individual contributor to people manager and help shape the future direction of the company’s culture and growth.
The program format we designed included a mix of classroom style learning, group discussion, role play exercises, and personal reflection that helped participants build essential management skills. It began with an opening session to build rapport and set intention followed by six live modules that included time for knowledge and skill building, peer learning, and action planning. Participants were provided an interactive workbook that followed the modules, a communication channel for on-going cohort discussion and support, and an accountability partner to explore and test their new skills. The program concluded with a closing session and commitment to actionable next steps so that the new managers could confidently move into leading and inspiring their teams.
Topics covered during the program included: Understanding your role and strengths as a manager; Building a trusting and inclusive work environment; Developing team members; Enabling performance; Communicating with clarity and impact; Delegating and guiding teams. Paradox facilitated the first two cohorts of the program and then trained internal facilitators to continue implementing subsequent cohorts, as promotions occurred and new people moved into management roles.
The Impact
Participants walked away with practical day-to-day management techniques, effective communication strategies, and a cohort of individuals to call upon for further support in their new role. There are now managers throughout every functional area of the organization with shared language, understanding of effective management, and enhanced management skills, which is shifting culture throughout the company to be more productive, innovative, and growth oriented.
