Senior Manager Competency Plan

Phase 1: Foundation Building (3–6 months)

1. Driving Change

• Learn Change Management Frameworks: Study models like Kotter’s 8-Step Process, ADKAR, and McKinsey’s 7S Framework.
• Develop Resilience and Risk Evaluation Skills:
  • Practice scenario planning to evaluate risks.
  • Role-play addressing resistance in change initiatives.
• Resources:
  • “Leading Change” by John Kotter.
  • Online Course: Leading Organizational Change.
  • Article: McKinsey Insights on Change Management.

2. Collaborating Across Organizations

• Build Relationships: Actively network within and outside your organization.
• Promote Inclusion: Learn about unconscious bias and implement diversity and inclusion (D&I) best practices.
• Resources:
  • “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni.
  • Harvard Online Course: Collaboration Across Boundaries.
  • Article: How to Foster Inclusion in Teams.

3. Stakeholder Management

• Understand Influence Strategies: Learn negotiation, influencing, and empathy-driven communication.
• Craft Compelling Proposals: Strengthen your ability to present data-driven business cases.
• Resources:
  • “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert Cialdini.
  • Training: Stakeholder Management Skills Course.

Phase 2: Intermediate Mastery (6–12 months)

4. Driving Operational Competitiveness

• Focus on Process Optimization:
  • Study lean methodologies and Six Sigma principles.
  • Encourage innovation through design thinking sessions.
• Resources:
  • “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries.
  • Online Course: Operational Excellence.
  • Tool: Miro for Design Thinking.

5. Delivering Team Leadership

• Develop Talent Management Practices:
  • Learn to identify and nurture high-potential employees.
  • Build succession plans for critical roles.
• Foster Ownership and Excitement:
  • Introduce team-building activities aligned with organizational goals.
• Resources:
  • “Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter” by Liz Wiseman.
  • Harvard Course: Developing the Leader Within You.
  • Article: Building High-Performance Teams.

Phase 3: Advanced Execution (12–18 months)

6. Enabling Decision-Making

• Advance Problem-Solving Skills:
  • Use root-cause analysis techniques like 5 Whys and fishbone diagrams.
  • Leverage decision-making frameworks (e.g., RACI, Eisenhower Matrix).
• Empower Decision-Making:
  • Delegate effectively and foster accountability within your teams.
• Resources:
  • “Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.
  • Training: Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving.

7. Team Execution

• Master Metrics and KPIs:
  • Learn to set, track, and analyze KPIs that matter to your business.
• Coach Teams for Success:
  • Regularly provide feedback and create development plans for team members.
• Resources:
  • “Measure What Matters” by John Doerr.
  • Training: Effective Performance Management.

Phase 4: Sustained Growth and Thought Leadership (18–24 months)

8. Innovating Processes and Standards

• Contribute to Organizational Standards:
  • Lead cross-functional projects to refine processes.
• Foster Innovation:
  • Create a culture of experimentation within your teams.
• Resources:
  • “The Innovator’s Dilemma” by Clayton Christensen.
  • Workshop: Building Innovation Strategies.