I can’t tell you how many times I’ve provided management training to long-term managers who had never been given any training before.
They had been operating on blind faith and common sense, and often in the dark, hoping they were doing the right thing.
When managers aren’t given the skills they need to be successful, it is generally a recipe for disaster.
Consequence: Poor Performance Management
For example, I was called in to help a nonprofit organization because the employees were making costly mistakes.
After investigating, it became clear that the managers had never communicated their needs and expectations to their staff.
The managers automatically assumed that their employees knew what they were expected to do.
The managers had never been given training on performance management or delegation.
We provided the necessary training to resolve the situation. Now the employees are clear on their duties and performance expectations and the managers are able to delegate in a way that ensures mistakes will be caught before they’re costly.
Consequence: Unintentional Discrimination
In another instance, I consulted with a government agency where a manager had been charged with discrimination against women.
It was alleged that he showed favoritism to his male employees when making assignments, so the women were denied the experience necessary for them to promote to higher levels.
The manager was appalled by the discrimination complaint and justified his assignment decisions on the basis of perceived readiness to perform.
The women employees would come into his office to discuss different ways to approach the assignment and the manager assumed that they needed him to tell them what to do.
In fact, the women only intended to use him as a sounding board.
He had not intentionally discriminated. It was just that he had never been trained in the differences in problem solving styles between men and women.
After providing one on one training, we were able to turn the situation around.
The manager acknowledged that he had been incorrect in his assumptions, made the necessary adjustments in how he assigned work, and resolved the issue to everyone’s satisfaction.
Solution: Management Training
The best way you can build your managers’ capabilities is through training.
Often, particularly regarding discrimination complaints, companies wait until there is a problem before scheduling training.
As you can tell from the examples I’ve shared, managers really need the training at the beginning of their careers.
One training session will not provide all of the skills of a manager.
There are so many changes going on in the world and in business, it isn’t possible to anticipate all of the new knowledge and skills that managers may need.
But training in management basics and the complementary soft skills will provide a good foundation.
Training will always be necessary if there are changes in policies, procedures, operating systems, or strategic goals.
Indicators That Training is Necessary
If there is a pattern of behavior that indicates a manager lacks the necessary knowledge or skill to handle certain situations, training should be an immediate consideration.
Another way to identify the need for training is to ask managers what they need in a way that supports their growth and development (rather than couching any training need as corrective or remedial).
If your organization needs help with training your managers, contact me here.
May your learning be sweet,
Deborah
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