| Leaders, managers, supervisors and training directors -
We know the value of developing commitment, but it can be so much easier to demand compliance! For the long term, for the health of the business and the employees, fostering commitment can have an incalculable payoff.
But isn't it true that managers in many of our organizations have "lost" some of the BASIC SKILLS for leading people, for inspiring commitment?
Whether you're an experienced leader of people or new to the role, it's easy to lose sight of the fundamentals of working effectively with people so that commitment - not apathy -grows.
In many cases, it's the organization that has not accepted responsibility for developing leadership skills in their managers; people are promoted for a high level of technical competence, but that expertise does not directly translate to being able to influence others and achieve results through others.
We recognize the problems - we've been there too! Through years of leading others and then more years of training, we can say we've seen many experienced managers who have lost their focus on the basics (or never had it!) - and it costs them, their employees and the organization.
Ask these questions about your own organization:
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Does your organization provide any training in leading people?
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Do managers avoid addressing performance issues, hoping the issues will fix themselves over time?
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Do managers provide positive and negative feedback specifically and regularly – or do they just not give periodic feedback, only a final performance review?
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Are your managers overlooking the most basic style differences and creating relationship issues for themselves, expecting everyone to adapt to their ways?
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What about people promoted to manage those they used to work alongside - is anything provided for them to transition to "the other side of the fence - to management"?
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Are your managers working with employees on developmental needs – or hoping they just get through the day?
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Have your managers created an environment of on-going learning - do they view themselves as a teacher?
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Are your managers giving ANY recognition – most of us consider the paycheck recognition enough!
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Do team members work well together – have your managers facilitated team growth at all?
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And there’s so much more we could ask!
At one time your managers probably went through training that encouraged them to pay attention to some best practices for working with people – so they really do know better, but the crunch of work, the passage of time, learning new processes and systems – it all takes focus away from practicing the basics to effectively lead people – newer subjects snare our attention.
Or perhaps it's time to assess what education and training is most needed to build skills.
But it’s the leader/manager's mastery of leadership basics that allows people to achieve their own level of greatness.
ALD, Inc. focuses on those basics; we work with organizations and individuals struggling to master – or “re-master” - the fundamental competencies of effective leadership. We work with your organization to assess needs, provide training and structure reinforcement to create a long-lasting set of skills for leaders.
In the ideal world senior leadership, HR and the training group could focus solely on new directions and new information - but realistically, they must also address performance shortfalls in the management team; they must provide skills reinforcement training or education for newly promoted leaders in the basics of leading people.
So take action....And that’s where ALD, Inc. can help you – if you’re not satisfied with your responses to the questions above, it’s time to consider how our resources and experience can assist you in creating a productive work climate where leadership basics become the everyday practices of your leadership team. Remember the adage:
If you keep on doing what you've been doing, you'll keep on getting what you've got!
We can provide online, classroom and blended learning options; we design and administer assessments to help you determine need. ALD takes pride in the practical and applicable resources we develop and use for improving workplace skills.
So explore our website using the menu at the top of this page and decide what skill development you are looking for – then call us so we can understand your needs and make recommendations for your organization.
ALD, Inc....because you never stop learning
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