Dear Coach,
Our HR department just announced that there will be a series of classes for managers
on how to be better leaders of employees. Topics include giving feedback, employee
discipline, conflict resolution, and promoting trust, teambuilding and retention.
What’s been your experience in terms of results from this kind of training?
Best,
Jacki
Dear Jacki,
I wish I could say otherwise, but my experience has not been good. In terms of truly
improving overall leadership effectiveness including building a healthy workplace
culture and promoting people development, these classes have mostly been a waste
of time.
Why?
As I discuss in this column and in this column, behavioral change is incredibly
difficult and challenging to achieve. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve taught a
specific leadership technique such as the Same Day Summary or the No-FEAR
Conversation where the managers say they’ve got it down. Later, when I have a
chance to see what they’ve implemented, it’s anything but what was taught.
Cognition does not equal behavior, much less consistent practice or habit.
At most, leadership training classes can help set the stage for growth and progress.
Cognition is necessary. Nevertheless, far too many employers make the mistake of
stopping there. The training classes should be only one step in an overall strategic
plan, which includes assessment, messaging, coaching, mentoring, alignment,
troubleshooting, and measurement.
In other words, those training classes can matter if they’re part of a much bigger
picture that includes a thought-out plan for change. Otherwise, and unfortunately, I
predict that results will be dismal.
Best,
Jathan
Jathan Janove is a Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching Master Coach
and writes the “Ask the Coach” column. He is author of “The HR Renaissance: From
Legal Guard to Growth Partner.” If you have a question you’d like him to address,
please email us at AsktheCoach@mgscc.net
Click on the link below to learn more about Stakeholder Centered Coaching®, or speak with a program advisor to answer your questions, address any concerns, and help you decide if this is the right step for you.
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