MindTools.com came about more than 26 years ago, when it was realized that there was a gap in the market for a reliable source of resources for new and aspiring managers. In 1996, our founder, James Manktelow, had just been appointed to a managerial role for the first time, and his idea was born out of a need for everyday support in developing his own leadership, management, and personal effectiveness at work. James realised there must be huge numbers of new and aspiring managers looking for the same thing!
But even though many managers continue to develop themselves today, the working environment looks vastly different to what it did 26 years ago, bringing with it its own set of challenges. According to our 2022 Learner Intelligence Report, remote working has increased on average by 138% since March 2020, and many organizations have now adopted a hybrid working model.
Following two years of dramatic changes to the traditional work environment, Mind Tools is reinforcing why it’s crucial to support your managers in the reimagined workplace.
They contribute to the success of your organization
Leaders traditionally make the “big decisions” but, chances are, it’s managers who turn those visions into reality. They work with their teams to implement the strategies laid out by senior leaders. So, by including managers in your learning strategy, you’ll likely accelerate progress toward your goals.
They are the “influencers” that team members look up to
Great managers are able inspire, support, and engage their teams, which in turn helps boost productivity and encourages your top talent to stay, making them hugely influential figures within your organization. In fact, according to our Annual L&D Benchmark report, 74 percent of learners have cited “support from my manager” as one of the most useful approaches when dealing with task and role challenges, which shows the importance of a manager’s role within the team. This also means that they need an extensive set of skills in order to create a positive impact – from planning and delegation to communicating in a hybrid environment.
They help you to embed a learning culture
As the beating heart of an organization, getting managers to buy in to your learning strategy is crucial. Engaging them from the outset will allow your vision to filter down into all areas of your organization.
In our 2022 Learner Intelligence Report, employees cited their manager as the top source when it came to finding out about learning opportunities. By empowering managers to lead the way when it comes to learning in the flow of work, you can use their influence to embed a learning culture that everyone can believe in. Our report also shows that employees that feel supported by their manager are more proactive in terms of learning.
They require certain skills to help them overcome challenges
A new managerial role can be daunting. They will likely need to handle situations new to them, such as interviewing potential new hires, managing conflict, or leading their former peers. The new world of work, where some teams are not co-located, presents additional challenges. Offering your managers support at the point of need will help them to feel better prepared.
They will thank you for it!
The Mind Tools club has 15,000 members. That includes a huge number of individual managers looking for support with leadership, management, and personal effectiveness skills. Providing your managers with quality resources to help them to develop their skills and to realize their potential, will show them that you value them as individuals and professionals. That investment is often repaid with energy, productivity, loyalty, and great results!
Mind Tools for Business will be at stand A240 during the World of Learning Conference and Exhibition, 11-12 October 2022. We’d love to connect with you and learn more about how you’re supporting managers in your organization. Click here to book a meeting at a time that works for you!
Written by Mind Tools for Business.