Workshop: Core Leadership Competencies

Scenario

The client was a state-owned company, specialised in security solutions. The company outlined this year their company strategy for the next ten years and started a process of identification of core competencies for their employees.

Client Challenge

Human Ressource department, which is responsible for the outline of the competence model, wanted to develop a model based on the company’s strategic goals and values. The competence model should take into consideration: what knowledge, personality and behaviour are required by an employee to contribute to the best possible success, the challenges of the digitalisation and specifics of each work areas. HR Department wanted to involve the leaders in the process and was looking for an independent facilitator, who had an experience not only with the implementation of the competence model but also with facilitation of big groups.

Our Way

After the clarification of the expectations of the Human Resource department, we delivered a two-step program:

1. A workshop where the management team chose and defined the core competencies for employees and managers were described. We started the workshop with a case study, which showed the importance of competencies in the teams and motivated the participants to get involved. After that, we started with the selection and the definition of the competencies. During the process, we used different facilitation methods for big groups (such as spontaneous online surveys, Open Space and World Cafe) as we wanted to ensure that the involvement of participants stays at the same level and that the process went smoothly and efficiently.

2. Short training where the basis of competencies management was clarified and trained. We started the training with a team-building exercise which also should illustrate how differently are people approaching tasks and how important is the precise process of goal definition for the performance of teams. During the training, we talked about the leadership process (using model of Malik), communication in the process of goal setting and SMART goal definition.

The program was designed and delivered by Magdalena Kishizawa. She has 20 years of experience in training managers at different levels (from team leaders to group management) and with the implementation of competence models in the companies. She also facilitates big groups and with her dynamic and proactive way, she able to lead big teams during an arduous and lengthy process of competence definition. She holds a Master Degree in Psychology from the University of Heidelberg, Germany. She also studied Educational Science at the Catholic University in Lubin, Poland, and Business Administration at the School of Management at the University of Bradford, UK. She works with the languages English, German and Polish. Ms Kishizawa brings teams together with her dynamic, optimistic and empathetic approach, creates a safe space for exchange and supports the participants as they try out new methods and overcome challenges.

COVID-19 Psychological Hotline for Employees and Leaders

Since March our team with psychotherapeutic and psychological background dedicates part of working hours to assist those, who might be overwhelmed by self-isolation and virtual workplace. Social distancing measures forced almost the whole workforce to remain home. Sometimes we had to isolate from those we love or had to stay with a full family and full workload. That may bring forward uneasy feelings and thoughts that might have been missed during our busy lives. Our hotline and individual psychological support addressed those people, who experience emotional stress in their teams and need the advice of a therapist or a professional experienced in working with people under stress. We worked with certified multilingual consultants (psychotherapists), who were under the supervision.

During our consultations, we supported people with anxiety or panic attacks, depression, relationship problems, overwhelmed and stressed by the workload or dealing with virtual working environment for the first time and self-organisation issues.

We closed our open helpline by the end of May, but we continue working with companies supporting them with a designated hotline for their employees.

Individual Development Program of Managing Director (Finance)

Scenario

The client was a German financial leasing company based in Germany. Polish subsidiary in Warsaw required a Polish- and German-speaking consultant to set and deliver a personal development program for the Managing Director in Poland to identify ways to manage her team and develop the company.

Client Challenge

The MD needed to work on her personal and leadership potential to better manage the team and company targets. She wanted to gain an increased understanding of how a team works and which roles are given within a team and how this affects the dynamic and performance. She also wanted to explore personal and company goals and identify key milestones for the year ahead.

Our Way

Individual Development Program was composed of five elements; orientation and assessment, face-to-face coaching (6 two-hour sessions), in-between assignments with online coaching tool, feedback and learning activities.

Development Program took about six months and was delivered by Magdalena Kishizawa. Magdalena is a Polish speaking trainer and coach with an experience in financial industry and knowledge of the Polish and German market. She worked for major German and Polish banks on Learning & Development projects.

Arriving at Your Own Leadership Style: Discover Your Strengths. Workshop (Logistic)

Scenario

The client was a Polish logistics operator which had undergone many changes in the previous ten years which included being privatised and then being sold to a total equity company.

Client Challenge

The managers working in the headquarters needed to change their leadership styles to suit their changing roles and company values. They had to focus more on developing relationships and influencing rather than issuing direct orders.

Our Way

The managers had previously participated in communication and leadership workshops with us. In this two-day workshop, we focussed on personal development and potential. The consultant had analysed their Hogan assessments to be able to give individual targets and explain how they can influence and recognise their own limitations. For the group coaching session, we used the Blue Ocean Leadership Grid as an inspiration for how to approach personal changes. The workshop was delivered in Polish by a Hogan Assessment certified leadership trainer, Magdalena Kishizawa.

Magdalena is an experienced trainer with 20 years of training of managers different levels: from team leaders to executives. She works internationally, with different cultures and within different organisational structures. She has experience working in a global matrix organization and with logistic industry. She studied at the University of Heidelberg in Germany (Diplom-Psychology), Catholic University of Lublin in Poland (Education Science) and School of Management of University of Bradford (Master of Business Administration). She delivers her trainings in English, German and Polish. With her dynamic and enthusiastic approach, she creates an open environment for exchange and pushes participants to test their limits and overcome barriers and try new things.