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Potential Training
MacRoberts' development of Potential Management Training
MacRoberts has led the way in employment law training, always looking at new and innovative ways to engage the manager and encourage responsibility for making the employment relationship work well. An example of that innovative approach was the creation of its Management Training Programme called "Potential".
MacRoberts was the first law firm in the UK which combined training for Managers on Employment Law with Management Training and Coaching in the areas of Personal Development, Manager and Employee Motivation. The rationale for this approach is that as employment lawyers, we see what leads to the breakdown of employment relationships between managers and employees everyday. We sense that if managers can be given the tools and confidence to deal with the issues that arise, for instance, conducting appraisals, delegating tasks and having other more challenging discussions with employees like grievance and disciplinary meetings, this is likely to minimise the risk of relations reaching the irretrievable stage of employment tribunal proceedings. Poor management can lead to poor employee motivation which can lead to increased sickness absence and reduced performance which can impact significantly on team performance and the performance of your organisation.
The manager can have a significant impact on employee motivation - both positively and negatively. Many employers have an appreciation of the extent of that impact given the focus on certain behaviours and attitudes which it expects from individuals throughout the organisation. The focus on the way in which managers are encouraged to conduct themselves while using the knowledge and tools we can equip them with is at the root of our "Potential" philosophy.
Key focus of Potential Management Training
The key focus of Potential is to equip managers with tools to carry out their role to the best of their ability, in doing so, to help managers identify their own key behaviours and attitudes and to understand how those behaviours impact on the team, and how attitudes often influence outcomes. It also aims to give the manager an appreciation of the drivers of employee behaviour - and how to influence those behaviours at the causal level, thus bringing about a lasting change in behaviour - whether evidenced through better team relationships, increased motivation, improved performance or reduced sickness absence. Managers will understand that behaviour breeds behaviour.
The managers will learn to use their understanding of behaviours and the impact of good communication skills to heighten their awareness of how to manage particular situations. On a practical basis, this will culminate in participation in management role play scenarios involving: conducting appraisals, delegation of tasks, dealing with sickness absence and dealing with bullying and harassment. If there are particular scenarios which you wish the training to address, we will be happy to design specific case studies for you.
Realise the Potential of your Managers
It is expected that the modules will not only provide a conducive environment for the delegates to learn within, but will also provide an extremely practical and motivational programme with some very valuable tools and techniques for the managers to take back to the workplace. We aim to help the delegates see the use of the skills gained during the performance as an opportunity to motivate and influence employee behaviour.
As a supplementary module, we can provide training on employment law so that the manager understands the employer's legal obligations. The training will further support the manager by providing tools to engage with the employee in a way most likely to motivate and influence. In short, we aim to make the manager want to move towards a better behaviour and attitude model, because it will make working life easier, and the organisation more effective.