The senior managers of the future are unlocking their potential with the help of a pioneering Leadership Academy.
More than one in five people who have been through the Plus Dane training programme have gone on to be promoted, resulting in increased staff morale, reduced staff turnover and savings of thousands of pounds in recruitment costs.
One of the graduates of the Merseyside and Cheshire based housing association’s Academy is Adrian Pennington.
Adrian, 41, stepped up from being a business support manager to become Plus Dane’s Commercial Business Manager just six months after completing the course.
He said: “It can be difficult to get from being a manager to becoming a senior manager. It’s about becoming a mentor yourself and realising the wider context of your actions.
“The programme gave me the ability to take time out to look at myself; my impact, my style and the decision making processes. It enabled me to lean on my strengths and work on my development areas.
“With the help of my coach I was able to prepare an application for the job I wanted and he supported me in interview preparation. When I heard I’d been successful, he was the first person I telephoned - not my wife!”
So far 59 people have been through or are attending the Academy. At the same time, 32 coaches have now been trained, with 10 more due for training during 2010.
Of those who have taken the course 20% have since been promoted. One, Claire Griffiths, was promoted from director to managing director. At the same time, staff turnover has fallen from 17.9% in 2008-2009 to 12% in 2009-10.
Jayne Phillips, managing director for knowledge, innovation and performance, at Plus Dane Group, says: “The Ni Leadership Academy has put leadership development at the top of our agenda and has provided us with the talent and skills to ensure that all our business plans have been delivered or exceeded.
“Through the Leadership Academy, we have been successful in embedding a coaching culture which fits exactly with our values.”
The company, which is responsible for more than 15,000 homes in Merseyside and Cheshire, won 29th place in the Sunday Times Best 100 Companies to Work For, as well as a Top 100 Learning and Development Award.
Internal employee satisfaction surveys showed that in 2009, 81% believed they could rely on their manager to step in and sort out problems when required, compared to 78% in 2008, while 73% in 2009 believed their line manager provided a clear sense of direction compared to 69% in 2008.
The course is accredited through an innovative partnership with Chester University and Plus Dane is now working to provide more accredited programmes in leadership and housing management law through the university.
External consultants and training coaches advised on the design of the academy, but in-house trainers deliver its bite-sized workshops. A personal development plan sets individuals’
objectives for 12-18 months. Learning is supported by workshops, an online learning library and a tailored development plan. Theory, group work, reading and role play are combined to produce a programme intended to suit all learning styles.
Participants are assessed before and after the course and coached by managers trained to work one-to-one with participants.
Post a comment