|
PMR's Editorial philosophy:
"It is only by standing on the shoulders of
giants that I have been able to see further."
Sir Isaac Newton,
1642–1727
|
Human Resources Update
Management skills shortage? Why not develop your own?
Simon Davies, Principal, Partners in Performance International (PIP) SA
As the pace of transformation in South Africa accelerates, many companies are rethinking the way their front line managers are developed. Indeed, while many organisations are reporting chronic management skills shortage, smart players are looking within and proactively up-skilling their front line managers.
This, however, begs the question: why are people selected from the ranks of workers to become front-line managers (supervisors, foremen, etc) in the first place? The simple answer is that they are usually good workers. However, being a good worker doesn’t necessarily mean an individual will be equipped to succeed in a managerial role.
The fact is that most workers obtained their managerial skills from watching their managers for a number of years. And in the past, when the pace of managerial turnover was slower, this method worked just fine. However, in today’s
fast paced world, the development timeline for new managers is shrinking. The old paradigm of managers learning how to manage, just by watching heir bosses, doesn’t necessarily apply anymore.
This brings us to South Africa; never before have so many companies complained about front line skills shortages. Quite often though, these organisations are ignoring the underlying problem, and in the process setting themselves – and their new generation of managers – up for failure.
Companies that understand this, and actively develop the skills of front line management, are the ones that are likely to be successful in the new South African business environment.
Often, newly appointed managers receive development training, which is undoubtedly helpful. However, there is a world of difference between training and coaching. Imagine being expected to learn how to drive a car simply from classroom training – the same principal applies to new managers. Front line coaching is about teaching managers to observe the dynamics of their workplace, while also providing them with the tools and confidence to review and influence team performance as the work day progresses.
It is about empowering the individual to make those knowledge-based, minute-by-minute decisions that make the difference between average and outstanding team performance. Often, this involves not just the ‘know-how’ but also the ‘know why’. Once front line managers understand this, they are less likely to revert to old ways of doing things; less likely to act like a worker and more likely to act like a manager who leads his or her team to outstanding results.
Surely, direct coaching for managers is expensive? It is undoubtedly not cheap, which is why it is important to link front line coaching to tangible business outcomes. For example, what would a 15% productivity boost add to the bottom line of your organisation? When you use front line coaching to achieve a specific financial or operational outcome, the results pay for themselves while you are, at the same time, up-skilling your management team.
By applying the principles of direct coaching, results of 10-20% improvement in productivity are not uncommon, so it’s easy to see how front line coaching can very often offer return on investment, while also adding to the skills base of South Africa’s next generation of managers. The up-skilling of workers is a priority for most organisations today. The question is, however, does your organisation see the up-skilling of front line management as a priority? The next time you hear someone complaining about a lack of managerial skills; remember the saying – it’s a poor artisan who blames his tools.
Tel: (011) 646-7152
Web: www.chillibush.co.za
|
| |
|
