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Leading and working in teams A new initiative by Evotec OAI
As Human Resources Director at Evotec OAI Martyn Melvin says...
“engaged employees are twice as productive as non engaged ones. If we can motivate and manage people in a better way by understanding more about how people react at work then we will be more successful personally and as a business”.
Evotec OAI wished to maximise team working and leadership skills of its scientists in order to maintain a competitive edge by continually providing an exemplary customer service.
Making it happen was the main challenge. Martyn selected Nick Belcher from Cornerstone Solutions Training and Consultancy Ltd to research, design and implement a training programme.
The purposes of the programme were…
- to give people the opportunity to refresh, try out and learn new ways of working in and leading teams.
- to learn supportive management behaviours, which encourage co-operation.
- to enhance communications by understanding others preferences for processing information and making decisions.
- to learn new tools and techniques that promote clarity of purpose and “Buy In”.
Before the workshop could be designed there needed to be an analysis of participant’s needs and this took the form of 1:1 interviews where specific learning requirements were identified.
Using the research information Nick designed a training programme that was exactly tailored to requirements. Design emphasis was on providing tools and techniques that could be easily applied to the workplace. Often the content of some training is an imbalance between pure theory and practical tools. While theory alone is interesting and can raise awareness it is only when it is applied that it becomes useful.
So the design comprised practical, hands on exercises where tools and techniques could be properly practised ready for application to the workplace. |
Two training workshops were run for scientists and administrative managers. During the course participants were able to practise methods including Thomas Kilman conflict modes, 3 A’ s of managing stress, delegating and briefing others to gain “Buy In” using Myers Briggs profiling.
One particularly useful tool was the Purposeful Approach – a simple framework that helps individuals and teams to get things done. It creates a common language and process for teams to focus on.
Special mention should be made about Stress. As part of their new policy on stress and pressure of work Evotec OAI are keen to give their employees the skills to identify causes of stress, its impact on others and ways of managing and minimising it.
In the workshop design Nick introduced useful and practical tools for coping with stress as it happens and interesting information about the effects on the mind and body.
Evaluation of the workshop revealed a positive response by participants. Just under 100% rated it effective and meeting their learning aims. The “proof of the pudding is in the eating” and following the workshop there was clear evidence of tools and techniques being applied in the workplace.
For example, participants are now using the Purposeful Approach and The Pink Sheet process for project work.
The Middle Management Team worked on behavioural ground rules for running important quarterly meetings. People are more aware of how they can improve relationships through Myers Briggs profiling.
Cornerstone is passionate about “bridging workshop to workplace” and giving participants the support they need to get new practices properly embedded. They offer a suit of post workshop support activities including themed learning days, reminders and seminars. |
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