A major utility company wanted to improve the capability of managers to maximise the performance of their people.
A major utility company identified the need to improve the ability of managers to develop their line reports. They engaged ER Consultants to create and run a Managing Performance workshop for everyone with management responsibilities within the organisation's IT Department. The objective was to improve the willingness, confidence and capability of managers to maximise the performance of people.
Our Approach
The workshops were designed to provide an energetic and upbeat session that delegates could both enjoy and genuinely engage with. They covered the following elements:
- Articulating and demonstrating the behaviours required in a feedback culture.
- Increasing the understanding, capability and commitment to set and achieve objectives.
- Provide practical tips on how to give more difficult messages.
- Allow delegates the opportunity to practice giving difficult messages. This was done using an actor who played the part of a subordinate, and reacted to the message in a realistic way.
Client/Consultant Relationship
We worked with a range of potential participants at the start of the project, and the department's Learning & Development team throughout the project to ensure the content of these practical sessions was entirely relevant to participants.
Success Factors/Challenges
The biggest challenge was to develop a workshop that could make managers more willing, confident, and capable of developing people. The use of actors in role-playing scenarios made the workshops practical, engaging and memorable for all.
Results/Benefits
Feedback from the delegates was very positive on the content and style of the workshops. They found the sessions to be very practical, providing them with techniques that they could put into practice straight away. The practical sessions with the actors were extremely popular as they provided delegates with specific results and suggestions.
In the context of increased pressure in the business to manage performance, the workshops became mandatory for everyone with people management responsibilities in the IT Department.
