There is an interesting feedback that I’d like to share. Middle to top level managers from public and corporate organizations told that their promotions to higher levels is conditional to passing the management and leadership training programs and courses but they have never been able to apply those training material on their workplace. That’s why they have to rely on external consultants proposing new ideas, innovation and ways for organizational effectiveness.

Some managers reported problems that they have not been able to keep up the pace of their performance, after they were promoted to higher ranks. It was easy to perform and they can’t now manage their time to improvise the performance of their staff managers.

There are even more interesting stories. Project Managers holding some certifications were asked to develop the feasibility and they responded that they have not been taught on how to create feasibility in their classroom or certification program preparation trainings. They surprisingly asked if developing feasibility was really part of the project life cycle.

An organization sponsored few of their staff to get training on ISO 9001 QMS implementation and later, they were hesitant to accept the responsibility of QMS implementation stating that they remembered all the clauses and requirements but were not confident implementing on their own accepting as an organizational commitment.

Recently, I was facilitating a discussion and I came to know the views of some public sector executives on coaching and mentorship. They were of the view that the rookies and new staff could understand the processes and procedures through the coaching and mentorship programs to better know the organization and follow the manuals and SOPs. They didn’t see its necessity any further!!

Few years ago, I was conducting a training programs for the top executives, and I came to know that they have been discouraging six sigma programs altogether and then it was revealed that Corporate Quality Department turned down all such requests since they felt insecure having limited exposure in this area.

What do these stories and scenarios point out?

• Organizations have structures and manuals which are well written and prepared to comply with the standards and regulations.
• Higher ranks and leadership positions do require certain training courses and programs.
• Middle to top level managers are accountable for managing their staff.

Yet, there is a huge gap for professionals on how to apply the knowledge gained in trainings and classrooms to the actual workplaces in service and manufacturing?

And with all these processes and procedures in place, professionals get opportunities to gain knowledge without developing appropriate skills to practice and apply.

Similarly, the job descriptions, specifications coupled with the training and certification programs don’t help in assessing required skill levels actually required to conduct tasks beyond routine.

This all results in sub-optimization and substantively undermine the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the organizations.

On the bright side, we have organizations, which manage to understand the challenges, and make it possible to overcome all these barriers by launching executive and professional coaching and mentorship programs.

This works in terms of both organizational and individual professional engagement and involvement in the pursuit of excellence.

Professional and Executive coaching and mentorship, as corporate, enterprise or individual’s initiatives help to brush up and demystify hidden talent and the real leadership skills and create confidence in professional and personal life and careers.

At BIETS Centre of Excellence, we are delighted to share that we have team of such experts with international success stories of turning around the organizations and individual professionals in achieving and sustaining excellence through effective coaching and mentorship programs.

You may also choose to watch a short video on this topic on the following link:

(https://youtu.be/ZgZfgPtqXJc )

Your feedback and comments are most welcome!!

Engr. Zubair Anwar

Thought Leader, BIETS Centre of Excellence, Global

Senior Member, Author & Reviewer, American Society for Quality (ASQ), US

Senior Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (ASQ)

Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (ASQ)

Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (ASQ)