Managing and Developing Self
Managing and developing self is about adopting a constructive and positive approach to challenges and staying calm even under pressure, role-modelling positive behaviours. It is about asking for feedback from others frequently and demonstrating personal insight into personal strengths and limitations.
Behavioural Statements
- I adopt a constructive and positive approach to challenges.
- I stay calm and display consistent behaviours even when under pressure.
- I recognise and learn from others’ knowledge, skills and experience.
- I ask for feedback from others on my management and leadership.
- I model behaviours that reflect departmental/group values and how we want our staff to act in work.
Example of on-the-job development activities (70)
Consider a challenging situation you and/or your team have recently faced and reflect on your response to it. Discuss with your team or line manager and note any areas for improved personal response or development.
Regularly review and assess your awareness of your emotional range to ensure you can cope with unexpected pressure. Discuss your strategies with a peer or your manager. Within the context of a current difficulty, review skills you draw on, strategies you have for managing pressure and support you can access to help you.
Work with people from other teams, locations or functions to broaden your understanding of how best your team can consolidate and integrate efforts across teams.
Ask your team to give you feedback on your management style and skills. Review the feedback and evaluate if your style truly inspires the performance of the team.
Ensure your performance and that of your direct reports are concerned with results for the University and its people, not the ownership of power for yourself. Invite others to challenge you on this.
Example of social and peer learning activities (20)
Ask your peers and team to provide you with examples of times when you have demonstrated being constructive and positive to challenges. What was the situation, what did you do and how did that have a positive impact?
Look back at performance reviews to see how your effectiveness and capabilities have developed and note areas to continue your development.
Seek a mentor through the Manchester Gold programme to learn from others.
Broaden your feedback from your team to 360 from others you work with cross-functionally, client areas and external colleagues.
Participate in conferences and networking events, visits to other organisations. Look for ways to represent the University positively.
Recommended Learning Resources (10)
TSLD13 Influencing for Results (L&OD Course)
Change your approach (LinkedIn)
TMS2001 Developing Personal Resilience to Change (L&OD Course)
Performing under pressure (LinkedIn)
Communities of practice (L&D Toolkit)
Mentoring (Staffnet)
Manchester Gold (Staffnet)
How to solicit feedback from the team (LinkedIn)
The art of listening (L&D Toolkit)
Our Future (Staffnet)
TSLD127 Growing Your Team’s Performance (L&OD Course)
Suggested reflection / discussion questions
What skills and behaviours do you feel you demonstrate to achieve a positive impact to challenges? What area’s do you need to improve?
How do you get colleagues feedback on your ability to stay calm under pressure? What does this feedback tell you, about where you may need to develop?
How do you get colleagues feedback on your ability to stay calm under pressure? What does this feedback tell you, about where you may need to develop?
How often do you solicit feedback from others and what do you do with this valuable information?
How do you know what behaviours to consistently role model?