There are a variety of ways to help managers who are operationally
competent to become strategist as they move up the ladder.
What I found most important to ensure that those being developed becomes
really competent not only in knowledge but in applying the knowledge or
in other words the ability to act. From many failures, I tend to buy in
the approach developed by Reg Revans' action learning philosophy which he
developed in Manchester University and successfully applied in developing
managers in Belgium initially in his capacity as Director of Training for
GE. His approach was then accepted world wide specially for management
development.
I have taken this approach for developing commanders in disciplinary
forces, managers in the service and production sectors and also managers
in Training and Development. I have an article in a Journal known as
Industrial and Commercial Training, 22,2,9-16 published by MCB which
discussed the used of action learning applied to the development of
training managerers. Reg Revas have many case studies. If you are
interested in getting to the book edited by Dr Pete Mann in
"International Perspectives on Development and Learning" will offer you
other models of experience. The book is published by Kumarian Press,
Connecticut. I have a chapter there to discuss action learning -
Encourtering Chinese Culture. There are some interesting commonality
with that of the Learning Organization.
This methodology is not a quick fix. It put managers into actual learning
situations in a group setting making each one holding a real life problem
to solve and as an advisor to each other in the group. They become
comrades in adversity. The process put them to real testing of their
assumptions and balance book knowledge with action. We have a good
balance of "programmed knowledge" and "critical insight" developed amongst
the up and coming strategist.
I find that an interesting and useful approach guiding my management
development design.
Aaron PUN. DPhil
APA (International) Organizational & Management Development Consulting
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
FAX: (905)881 7275 TEL:(905)881 6143
Email: IN%"APUN@OISE.ON.CA"
From: Aaron Pun <apun@oise.on.ca>
On Sat, 18 Mar 1995, Jean-Marie Bonthous wrote:
> We are attempting to identify best practices and successful experiences in
> two areas:
>
> 1) - helping managers, who have risen through the ranks for their
> operational competencies, become strategists,as they keep moving up the
> ladder
> 2)- helping strategists being learning to the planning process
> [...snip by your host...]
> Jean-Marie Bonthous
> JMB International
> jmb@panix.com