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Manager Training: Building Systemic
Change
Developing Managers A flexible workplace is marked above all by flexible leadership and management. It is possible to create a workplace which simply offers flexible schedules, but the true business potential and superior employee satisfaction of flexibility can only grow out of a culture which encourages flexible management and creative self-management. |
Each organization has to decide where it wants its managers to end up on the flexible skills continuum, and how much time and energy it is prepared to devote to that process. A greater investment will yield a greater return.
Earlier in our practice companies retained us to do direct manager training on a wide scale. We would spend four hours with groups of twenty managers engaged in training sessions that changed attitudes, taught procedures thoroughly, answered questions and engaged even the skeptical. The core of that experience with thousands of managers continues to inform the range of trainings we offer now. We still offer and encourage such flexible management training and guarantee its effectiveness.
Setting Priorities However, in the early 21st century, the amount of time devoted to live manager training has diminished. A preference has emerged in companies to enable manager training through train-the-trainers – usually of HR staff and business partners. We have substantial experience with and high confidence in a live two-hour manager training module we have developed for internal staff delivery. To test cultural fit, we often conduct a pilot test of this manager training module with several groups of managers within the client environment before delivery.
It is our experience that deep and lasting change – the adoption of a fully business-beneficial approach – requires manager training, the more direct the better. An initiative without manager training is unlikely to achieve the degree of cultural change required for long-term success. Thus, in addition to the live trainings, we also offer a robust set of online or
just-in-time training.
Training Goals Setting manager training goals should follow the clear definition of desired outcomes for the flexibility initiative. In our approach, achievable goals include: |
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Understanding the potential business value and employee satisfaction of flex |
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Familiarity with the guidelines and business-based proposal process |
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Comfort with and confidence in the decision-making tools and process |
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Recognition that business impact, not personal reasons should drive decisions |
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The ability to address the top 10 or more common concerns and objections |
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Skills in applying flexibility to solution of broader business problems |
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Proficiency in constructively monitoring and modifying flexible arrangements |
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