In this modern world focused on the self, is it any surprise that self-improvement courses would eventually hit the workplace? More specifically, did you ever think the day would come where managers would have their own personal management trainer?
That day has come - and not just with respect to managerial health (though that might not be a bad idea): India is leading the way with personal trainers rapidly becoming available for management types to hone their managerial skills and become better bosses.
This isn't actually a bad idea – why leave it solely to studies and experience to make a potential leader out of a manager? Individualized training designed around a candidate's strengths and weaknesses sounds like a well-thought out plan of action for companies looking to increase productivity while continually improving efficiency.
Rather than using the sink-or-swim approach, companies can help develop careers rather than shorten them, as is often the case when ill-prepared managers fall victim to their lack of knowledge, experience, or preparedness.
But why stop there? Perhaps this would work further down the chain as well - then again, that type of cost may well be one of the things a personal management trainer might caution against.
I see value in organizations investing in personal trainers for those managers upon whose performance the organization's fortunes ride. This methodology is not cost effective as a development tool for all managers. Used with care, it can pay the organization rich dividends.
In the past I have been engaged to do a competence modeling project which analyzed job requirements across a range of positions and then development/training needs where specifically designed for each individual versus position using a gap analysis. This worked well however this approach seemed to have lost favor to what some perceive as 'cheaper' mass programs. A personal coach is a great idea, facilitates getting to the individuals specific needs and provides real time, skills and task specific guidance.
Ric www.orglearn.org