Case Study

Case Study 1: Setting High Performance Goals

Key Challenge:

A Manager in an organisation figured out that team members are consistently confused as to what High Performance Deliverables were. The root cause was Team Members were unable to relate to what to do and why they need to do it!

Solution:

Skillfully applying “Asking Questions” and “Active Listening”, the Manager uncovered individual issues and team issues. Using the skill of “Contracting for Success” and “Setting High Performance Goals”, the Manager then ensured commitment to “minimum acceptable performance levels”. Along with this, the Manager also provide feedback using techniques learnt from “Giving and Receiving Feedback” This lead to higher levels of involvement from all team members resulting in a higher level of performance!

Case Study 2: Giving and Receiving Feedback

Key Challenge:

One of the Manager’s team member was not performing well. The Manager hesitated to provide “hard” and “realistic” feedback fearing backlash and negative impact. The Manager was also not comfortable “confronting” this team member.

Solution:

After going through our case studies and role-play practice in the program, the manager realised that the key is to be prepared. The manager gathered data points, feedback from stakeholders and the team member’s peers, and also considered various behaviors that the team member displayed on the job. Armed with the confidence of being prepared, the manager “confronted” the team member. Initially, there were “hiccups” in the conversation, and the conversation itself had to be completed over a couple of days. But the manager finally managed to get through to the team member. Once the feedback, backed with data was provided and action points agreed upon, the team member went on to display expected behavior and performance over the agreed upon 3 months. This lead to the team members’ success and, also, had a positive impact on the team.

Case Study 3: Effective 1 – to – 1 Meetings

Key Challenge:

This particular manager was struggling with 1 – to – 1 conversations. With little “know how” of how a 1 – to – 1 is conducted the manager did what comes naturally from experience with their Boss. After the 1 – to – 1 meetings, the team members as well as the manager continued to feel that it was not the best use of their time.

Solution:

While going through the program, and as part of a practicum, the manager developed their own “template” for an effective 1 – to – 1 meeting. Using this “template” the 1 – to – 1 meeting started yielding excellent result, some in areas such as engagement, career discussion, regular performance feedback, relationship with team members, stakeholder management and the like. It also helped the Manager to collect feedback on their own style. Over all, it lead to an increase in productivity, innovation and building a virtuous team culture.

Case Study 4: Delegate for Results:

Key Challenge:

This manager complained that there are simply too many things to do, which prevented them from performing “managerial” duties such as monitoring performance, addressing productivity, analyzing and suggesting changes in process and the like.

Solution:

While going through the Effective Manager Journey, one of the key skills this manager picked up was how to Delegate. The pre-read helped the manager understand the basic framework. Discussing within the Learning Circle helped clarify concepts, interaction with the facilitator surfaced own “limitations”, “biases”, “fears” etc. which stopped this manager from practicing delegation. Practicums helped this manager take the first steps. Further discussions within the Learning Circle provided important feedback that sharpened self-awareness. Finally, Group Training with the Facilitator firmed up this manager’s “action points on delegation”. “How to practice delegation” emerged due to a combination of all these Learning Elements. In a span of 3 months after the program, the manager took on more and more responsibility, and due to their excellent delegation skills, the talent in the team is looking forward to take on more and more tasks!