5.3 THE SKILLS YOU NEED TO BE A GREAT BOSS: Understanding Developmental Needs

(EXTRACTION FROM TEAM MANAGEMENT: Developing Your Team at http://www.mindtools.com)

 

Helping Your People Reach Peak Performance

Most managers know that training is essential for team success, but many don't take the time to understand team members' individual needs.  Some training needs will be universal, and will apply to many.  Everyone in the team is unique; they have different skills, different levels of understanding, and different responsibilities and objectives.

To be effective, training and development shouldn't follow a "one size fits all" approach.  Take the time to understand the training that each individual needs, so that the right training can be provided for the right people.

Identifying Developmental Needs
1	Review Team Members' Job Descriptions	Thinking about what work your team members should be doing. Identify the skills that they may need to do things well.
2	Meeting with Team Members	Meet one-on-one with each member of the team. Have an open talk about the kind of training and development that they think they need to work effectively and develop their career. Be up front about your discussion. Use your emotional intelligence, as well as good questioning techniques   and active listening, to communicate with sensitivity and respect. Talk about what they would like to get out of additional training. Find out more about their personal goals.
3	Observing Team Members at Work	Use an approach like Management by Walking Around. Be fair and straightforward. Give them the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and abilities.
4	Gathering Additional Data	Can learn a lot from others who work closely with the person you want to assess. Don’t undermine the person's dignity. Respect the context. Avoid unfocused generalizations. Use information from past appraisals or feedback sessions.
5	Analyzing and Preparing Data	Bring together the most relevant information.
6	Determining Action Steps	Training and development options to consider: ·        on the job training ·        instructor led training ·        online training and e-learning ·        cross training ·        active training ·        mentoring/coaching Take into account people's individual learning styles. Everyone learns differently. Most effective if customize it to accommodate everyone's best learning style. Do a cost benefit analysis.