NAPIER University is to launch a unique programme aimed at identifying a set of "signature skills" in workplace managers.
The programme, created by the Napier business school (NUBS), is thought to be the first of its kind in Scotland.
It looks to first identify and then build upon individual skills of senior managers by focusing on the aspects of their management beh
aviour that can help them get the best results out of others.
Recent research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) suggested that in many instances it was managers that lost their organisations staff rather than the actual organisation itself. The course is being led by Mike Fiszer, a business psychologist specialising in leadership development who was also head of leadership for the Irish Management Institute.
He said the programme would be "highly experiential and behavioural based".
"We have identified the elements of star-performing leader skills that make them stand out from the rest and gain great results from their staff," said Mr Fizser.
"These are then developed in a challenging and psychologically safe environment."
The five-day course, which will tale place at the Norton House Hotel, Edinburgh, will be split in two, with the first two days being staged on March 4 and 5. The second part of the course will take place between April 15 and 17.
Stirling-born Mr Fiszer – who has worked with organisations throughout Asia, Europe and the US on mergers, board succession and culture change and other strategic aspects of organisation development with the likes of Dell and IBM – said the course was targeting middle to senior management with at least five years' experience.
Modules have been devised to help them improve their awareness of the likes of strategic group behaviour and workplace politics and helping arm managers with the most up-to-date methods and tools to deal with them.
"Recent CIPD research shows that people leave managers rather than organisations," noted Mr Fiszer. "We also know that connecting to people is one of the particular challenges facing functional and technical specialists moving into key management positions. This programme will be of great benefit to them."
Professor George Stonehouse, Dean of NUBS, said the Signature Skills project was crafted to "provide the leadership development needed by public and private sector managers and organisations in Scotland".
He added: "The value of high- impact experiential programmes for middle and senior management has made a huge difference to large organisations across the world.
"At NUBS we are keen to encourage talent within the Scottish workforce and strive to make business in Scotland the best that it can be while improving working environments across the country."
Further details of the programme are available from Leslie Leggett at NUBS on 0131 455 4377 or e-mail l.leggett@napier.ac.uk.
The full article contains 478 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
