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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.
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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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