The leading question

As TrainingZONE's feature last month showed, leadership is top of the agenda for large and small employers alike. It is recognised that good leadership, in any organisation, leads to intelligent investment, enhanced creativity, improved productivity and better all round performance.

In particular, UK organisations are increasingly recognising the importance of succession planning of leaders and managers to ensure future competitiveness. Organisations are aware that their future success depends on a continuous flow of highly skilled and competent leaders and managers and where better to start looking for the talent of the future than on their own doorstep.

Over the years Investors in People UK has received a large number of requests for guidance and support with developing leaders and managers and following the recommendations of the Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership’s report in May 2002 began work on a stand alone Model addressing the issue of leadership and management. Investors in People CEO Ruth Spellman spoke to TrainingZONE last month on the subject: "We have done a lot of research and consultation among existing clients to see what they needed, and we made sure we focused carefully on a solid and relevant issue. And we found that across the public and private sectors, the same issues about management came up, whether as productivity or service concerns. There's still not enough respect for management as a crucial issue."

A starting point

Designed to benefit all organisations, regardless of size or sector, the new Model covers issues such as: Leadership and management selection, links to culture and creating the environment for the successful development of leaders and managers. Its flexible development framework focuses on effective leadership and management and how it impacts on performance. Ruth Spellman told TrainingZONE: "It concentrates on that need for an organisational culture in which leadership can flourish. Leading means leading people, addressing their issues. To foster this you can't use a quick fix, it must be a culture change, in order to use all that inspiration and talent which currently often goes to waste."

Whilst based on the principles of the Investors in People Standard, the new Model has been designed so that organisations not already working with the Investors in People Standard can easily apply it to their own situation. "The Model was designed in response to the current needs of organisations. With a larger number and a more diverse range of managers in the UK than ever before, this Model helps build a culture where they become strong leaders. The Model contributes significantly to improved workplace efficiency and a more motivated and driven workforce, which in turn, enhances customer service and output.," said Investors in People UK Director of Development Peter Russian, who took part in a special interview with TrainingZONE last year to mark the 10th anniversary of the Standard.

Making it work

A number of organisations have worked with the Model on a pilot basis, including Diehl Controls, a Welsh-based manufacturer. In just four months the Model helped senior management analyse managers of all levels within the organisation and assisted in the progress of every individual by helping create the right framework for managers to flourish. In the increasingly competitive and changing marketplace, it is not only essential employees are provided with the right training to most effectively complete their jobs, but also, that current and future managers are given the correct environment in which to develop successfully. The Leadership and Management Model helps meet this challenge head on.

With the emphasis now on developing managers, we have all become flexible to managerial change. When our top managers decide it’s time to move on, we have already nurtured the people who can step into their shoes,” said Diehl Controls Plant Manager, David Hughes.

How can the Model help your organisation?

Organisations that would like to find out how their current management practices measure up can visit www.investorsinpeople.co.uk/leadership. Detailed case studies on the website show how the Model has already helped businesses and provide insight into how the Model can be applied.

To find out more about the Model and purchase a copy, click here.