It is obvious that as a practicing first-line manager, your own success is more likely if you use your talents (strengths) to their full extent to exploit the opportunities that present themselves to you. Also, it’s important to understand your weaknesses so that you can manage them out of your daily work activities and thereby also eliminate any threats which may affect your potential to progress.
SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Analysis (Stanford Research Institute 1960-1970) is a useful technique to identify and analyse, in a proactive manner, these four areas. Not only that, but it also
provides a good framework for reviewing your own personal development needs and
enables you to work on your personal strengths and abilities to distinguish yourself from your peers and hence forward your career
My own personal SWOT analysis has been appended to this assignment (see Appendix A).
Own Learning Style(s) Identified
Honey and Mumford (H&M) use the terms “ activist”, “ reflector”, “ theorist” and “ pragmatist” to represent the four key learning styles (or preferences). These correspond to stages in the learning cycle and are based on earlier work by David Kolb (and indeed are used interchangeably by some authors with the terms in the Kolb model). Both models are particularly interesting from the perspective that they offer a way to understand people’s different learning styles but also explain a cycle of experimental learning which can be applied to everyone.
The four H&M key stages and styles are typically presented at north, east, south and west on a four-stage cyclical flow diagram. This actually expresses a four stage “ cycle of learning” in which “ having an immediate or concrete experience” provides a basis for “ reviewing/reflecting on the experience”. These reflections are assimilated into “ conclusions from the experience” producing implications for action which enables the “ planning for the next step”, i. e. the creation of a new experience.
In theory, the learner should visit all four points of the diagram – i. e. a cycle of experiencing, reflecting, thinking and acting.
They, and their relationship with Kolb’s learning styles, are explained in the Table A below:
Table A -Comparison of H&M Learning stages/styles with Kolb learning style
Kolb’s Learning Style
H&M Learning Style/Stage
Preferred learning opportunity
Personality characteristics of learning style
Accomodating
Having an Experience/Activists
Practical, hands on
“ Here and now”;
seek challenge and immediate experience;
Bored by implementation
Diverging
Reviewing the experience/ Reflectors
Gather information, consider and analyse
Stands back;
Thoughtful; listens before speaking
Assimilating
Concluding from the Experience/ Theorists
Logical approach, gathers facts to form theories
Rational, objective, dismisses subjectivity
Converging
Planning the next steps /Pragmatists
Seeks new concepts, problem solving
Likes quick decisions, bored with long discussions
Most people naturally prefer a certain single different learning style. Various factors can influence this and Kolb defined 3 stages of a person’s development and suggests that the integration of the four different learning styles improves as a person progresses through the development stages.
I have completed an H&M Learning Style Questionnaire and my preferred learning styles are Theorist and Pragmatist. This means that I have a preference for a concise and logical approach to learning. For me, ideas and concepts are more interesting than people. I do require a good, clear explanation; however, one slight difference to this learning style is that I like to see that the theory can work in a practical situation as well.
I enjoy technically related tasks such as gathering and understanding wide-ranging information and trying to organise it in a logical format. In a formal learning situation, my preferences are reading and lectures and having time to consider things. I like to solve problems and make decisions by finding answers to questions.
This was not particularly surprising because my job role as an Assurance Specialist involved in auditing actually demands a logical style of approach to deliver work effectively. Furthermore, problem solving is also a key skill for me in advising teams on how to resolve issues with their management processes.
Analyse Learning and Development Options and Identify Barriers and Support mechanisms
Two learning/development options – one for self, one for organisation
My personal SWOT analysis identified two development options as follows:
To improve my “ soft” skills – such as assertiveness, communication and the effectiveness of my decision making. This would help in meeting the needs of the organisation and of the needs of my immediate team.
To gain a better understanding of how Environmental Management is applied by Network Rail at a Project level. This would help me to gain an insight as to how I could apply some of the information I learnt on my Institute of Environmental Management (IEMA) course in a practical scenario.
I have added both of these onto a Personal Development Plan, which is attached as Appendix C to this assignment.
In terms of development opportunity (1), I could make use of the many e-learning tools available via the Network Rail Intranet site as well as obtaining support from my line manager to check my progress as well as him giving me tasks which will help to develop my soft-skills.
I could monitor the success of this personal development through regular (once a month) one-to-ones with my line-manager and via my 6-monthly performance reviews. Listening and learning from what has worked well for him in the past would align itself well with the pragmatic approach I prefer to learning.
With respect to my own personal development opportunity (2), there is a course offered through Network Rail about Environmental Management within Projects. I have booked a place on this course and intend to follow it up by conducting audits on Environmental Management across Infrastructure Projects as part of the 2010-11 National Core Audit Programme. In this way, I shall be able to speak to Environmental Specialists who apply Environmental Management techniques as part of their daily activities an gain a deeper understanding of what is involved.
Identify Barriers to learning and how to overcome them
Some potential barriers which could prevent or slow down my progress are time-constraints, distractions and issues with the suitability of e-Learning to my own learning style.
These barriers could be overcome by planning a “ time-out for learning” within my weekly schedule and ensuring that I commit to not allowing any work activities to interfere with it.
I’m unsure as to whether e-learning will complement my learning style because the courses do not present practical situations to apply what has been learnt. However, perhaps regular feedback sessions and suitable tasks set by my line-manager may serve to complement the e-learning courses.
Considering the Environmental Management training I have identified, after completing the course, I will need to liaise with the staff drawing up the National Core Audit Programme so that I can be included for the Environmental Section of at least 2 of the audits across the Investment Projects portfolio. The auditing aspect will require me to make careful preparation before visiting the Programme so that I have a full awareness of how they are managing the Environment. This could involve looking at their Environmental Management Plan in detail and compiling a series of relevant questions before I make the visit. Both the training and my IEMA qualification should enable me to do this and carry out the audit effectively.
Support mechanisms for self-development
I would look to support from my line-manager and team members through the use of formal (1-2-1s) and ad-hoc reviews of my progress. Regular teleconferences or face-to-face meetings with members of the cohort who attended the same “ Leading and Managing Teams” course could also be set up, where we could discuss our own personal progress and problems. These may prove to be extremely beneficial from a learning perspective for all concerned. I would also like to involve the Investment Projects Environment Manager and Environmental Specialists from the Programmes from the perspective of them being there to provide expert advice on technical questions.
Two other support mechanisms which suit my learning style are testing and feedback. I am most comfortable with regularly testing my new skill sets – as demonstrated with the Environmental training – taking what I have learnt and applying it to actual situations in the workplace and obtaining feedback on what I did well and what I should look to improve on next time. This would provide me with the assurance that, not only do the techniques work, but also that I am progressing in the right direction. It would be an invaluable confidence builder both in my abilities and that the learning plan is delivering the desired results.
Monitor and Evaluate Self-development
One method to monitor and evaluate self-development
I would monitor and review my learning using a learning log. This could be used to plan learning activities as milestones on the way to achieving the completed development activity and as a reference to check that milestones are being completed on time (through one-to-ones with the line manager).
The log allows the user to focus in on the particular learning areas which are important to him, and to visualise the progress being made. For me, this would apply to areas such as assertiveness, communication skills and Environmental knowledge, for example. The log will allow others, such as team members and the line manager to understand what it is that an individual is trying to achieve and provide assistance and feedback where it is required.
In addition, the learning log is a good tool for recording feedback, enabling the noting down of what went well and what could be improved with each learning activity as well as how the approach can be changed next time. Eventually, it should indicate for me, whether “ soft skills” are still a learning area of me or whether I have shown, through practical demonstration, that I have mastered them.
An example of a real learning log (extract) is attached as Appendix B to this assignment.
For feedback to be effective, the Action Impact Do/Develop/Different model should be applied That is, the person giving the feedback should provide examples of what was done, its impact on the situation, and what should be done differently next time. This would allow the recipient to consider a different approach and modify his behaviour accordingly This is particular relevant to the skills I am trying to develop.
Appendix A – Personal SWOT Analysis
Weaknesses
I have a strong compulsive need to do things quickly especially when my “ to do” list is long. Sometimes this has compromised my decision making ability.
My need to keep the customer happy can sometimes lead to me acquiescing to his needs rather than defending my own position.
I have a tendency to over-analyse what has happened in certain situations (even after I have prepared really well for them) when events have moved on and I can no longer do anything about them.
I get a little nervous about presenting to members of the team and to customers. This can mean that these types of Presentation do not engage the audience as much as I’d like.
Strengths
I have good analytical skills. I enjoy looking through data to determine conclusions and action planning to improve the current situation.
I am very conscientious and deliver all work to the very best of my ability.
I pride myself in organising my work so that it is always delivered on time. I go out of my way to satisfy or delight the customer.
I am completely committed to the success of the team that I work for and creating a good impression of what we do to our customers/stakeholders.
I have worked in Assurance/Quality related roles for over 20 years and have experience in most aspects of these functions.
My job means a lot to me, I take it very seriously.
Threats
Potential future reorganisations meaning redundancy. Assurance becomes no longer a priority for the company.
Perceptions and criticisms by customers and own team.
2012 move to Milton Keynes and the feasibility of commuting there on a daily basis.
My current need for a lot of support from my line manager could be perceived that I no longer feel comfortable in taking decisions without someone’s help.
Opportunities
We are currently developing a customer feedback questionnaire which we will get our main stakeholders to complete. The output from this should help us to determine the areas we need to improve on going forward
We have a lessons-learnt process and are always looking to improve the auditing process.
That I take the knowledge I’ve accumulated from the Leading and Managing Teams course and consistently look back on it and apply it to my day job.
That I continue to work with my main customers to build a reputation with them so we are clear about what we expect from each other and that this leads to a positive working relationship which delivers results.
Appendix B – Learning Log (extract only)
Date From
Date to
Activity
What went well?
What didn’t go well?
What you will do differently next time
Nov. 09
Dec. 09
E-Learning Course – “ Assertiveness”
The course was completed and all of the intermediate assessments passed
There was no interaction element to the course – how do you know it works in practice?
This needs to be incorporated into 1-2-1 meetings – to get feedback from line-management on how I am progressing/if this is still a development area for me.
23/11/09
23/11/09
Opening Meeting – CrossRail audit
All of the points on the agenda were covered
Organisation was poor – jumped from one topic to the next and then back again in a haphazard fashion
Improve preparation – plan out exactly which points to cover and at which times
12/01/10
12/01/10
Closing Meeting – CrossRail audit
Far more relaxed, bought the correct key people to the meeting – deflected difficult questions to them at the right time
Nothing to report – do it the same next time.
Carry this lesson forward for the 2010-11 National Core Audit Plan (NCAP).
15/02/2010
15/02/2010
One-day training session – “ Environmental Management on Projects”
A good internal training session about how to apply the requirements of the Network Rail Environmental Management Handbook (Guide to Railway Projects Delivery Manual 04) on Projects
Additional time to built into the course to go through some of the worked-examples in further detail.
This knowledge needs to be applied in future as part of the 2010-11 NCAP audit of Environmental Management. Opportunity to be sought to take part in this section of the audit.
Appendix C PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Preferred Learning Style/s
Pragmatist/Theorist
What do I want or need to develop?
What actions / development will I do to achieve this?
How will success be determined?
Target dates for review and completion
1. My “ soft” skills; e. g. Assertiveness, Listening, Coaching abilities
E-Learning. Mentoring from my Line Manager. Experiences in my role.
1-2-1s; performance review meetings; improved confidence
April 2010 (end of year review)
2. Understand Environmental Management on Network Rail Projects
Network Rail course – “ Environmental Management within Network Rail” – assisting National Core Audit Programme with Environmental auditing aspects.
I will be able to carry out effective Environmental Audits of Network Rail Programme/Projects as determined both by Environmental Specialists on the Programmes and by the Investment Project Environment Manager.
October 2010 and April 2011
