How to handle people with tact and skill. How to build your team by maximizing their strengths while providing resources for their challenges. How to be the leader your team wants to follow.
All of these challenges and more have been topics in Arrowhead’s first-ever leadership training series, both for new managers and also as refresher classes for long-time managers or supervisors.
“Over the past year, Arrowhead has promoted a number of high-performing employees into supervisory or leadership roles. We felt these classes would put them on the fast-track to becoming great leaders,” explained Tish Masucci, human resources manager. “At the same time, others already in managerial roles had been requesting additional training.
“After looking at a number of training options, we chose Fred Pryor Management & Leadership Training,” she added.
“The topics have been a good variety, and instructors have been great,” said Natalie Lara, assistant vice president, marketing and communications. “Just don’t try to take these classes when your department is in crunch time!”
Classes began in mid-February and concluded last week, with 25-30 managers and supervisors in attendance. Topics ranged from “Essential Skills for First-Time Managers & Supervisors” to “Leadership Team-Building & Coaching Skills.”
“I think the most eye-opening thing for me was to take a closer look at my strengths and weaknesses as a leader,” explained Blaine Vriezelaar, IT support services manager. “The classes really homed in on specific things to do to improve my limits, while playing to my strengths. I used a couple of the exercises with my team to gather feedback from them, so I have a clearer picture of what motivates them and what areas I need to address.”
Additional classes are in planning stages now, Tish said. In the meantime, check out leadership classes in the new Brown & Brown University:
What's Your Leadership Style
B40: Improving Departmental Results
Performance Management and Appraisals
Generational Differences
Problem Solving Skills
Advanced Email Management
Microsoft PowerPoint Skills
