I work for a manufacturing organisation and have some interesting challenges with attitude to management, both from shop floor staff and management teams themselves!
1. What do you think are the crucial generic management skills?
The list is very long however here are a few e.g. Tenacity, organisational skills, empathy, assertiveness, loyalty, courage, proactivity and excellent communication skills.
2. Do you think that all management skills can be taught?
Some can be taught but not all, some can be nurtured but need to be there in the first place, a lot is about the attitude of the individual concerned.
3. How do you see the relation between management and leadership?
In business today in order to effectively manage people strong leadership qualities are paramount.
4. How can leadership be developed?
By concentrating on the wider spectrum of people management, by seeing management as a role on its' own and allowing people to carry out that role by leading teams and not seeing it as an add on to another role.
5. Management in the UK is getting a bad press at the moment. What do you think are currently the big challenges for managers?
To learn to become more receptive to change and to new ideas, to communicate more effectively with their teams and to really inspire and enthuse.
6. Do you think formal training should be available to all levels of management?
Yes, of course but not just formal there needs also to be mentoring or coaching type activities.
7. What style(s) of management development does your organisation use?
All the above mentioned at 6. We currently have ongoing training for team leader and director level.
8. What do you look for in choosing management development programmes?
A programme that will use all of the above styles, something that will be bespoke to the organisation but that will also allow delegates some insight into the" wider world ".
9. How do you focus management development on individual needs?
By liaising with a provider during any formal training, by discussion with an individual and their line manager with regard to the corporate objectives. I use a training needs analysis.
10. Is it all about managers, or do employees sometimes need to learn to be managed?
Some employees need to see their manager as a support mechanism rather than the enemy!!
Alexandra Sneyd
Training Manager
Portmeirion Potteries Ltd
What is your experience of management development? Post your comments below, or email us to answer these questions or submit a contribution.
