Why is a good manager important? How can a new or aspiring manager develop? First Intuition Tutor and Managing Director, Ginny Bradwell, shares her experience of managing teams and how the CMI qualification can give you the skills you need to become a better manager.
If I asked you about the best role you have had in your working life, most people would look to a time where they were working with likeminded individuals, with a shared vision of what success looked like. That vision would have been shared by a manager who inspired those around them, with strong management and leadership skills. So, it is likely that this manager created a strong culture, where people were empowered to make decisions and were supported in doing so.
If it is about the people, how do organisations know that those who are managing are the right people? For me, my first opportunity to manage came not because of any skill or talent in managing people but because I was good at my job. That led to promotion and before I knew what was happening, I was supervising a team and was responsible for the development and management of others. Therefore, spending less time doing the thing I was good at in the first place!
In my case, the role models I drew on were managers that I have experienced. Some had good habits and some less good habits. You learn from what you see and like many things you don’t start off being good!
Firstly, there is no one ‘best manager’. Of course, much has been written on this subject over many years. What is clear is that people can be trained to manage well. A relevant qualification will help aspiring managers to develop skill in this area.
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Diploma of Management and Leadership is a level 5 qualification aimed at those who are departmental or operational managers. Therefore, it covers elements including project management, stakeholders and reflective practice, to support managers in the development of core skills.
The CMI diploma of Principles of Management and Leadership introduces techniques and models that support working in a first-line management position.
A colleague of mine talks about those who claim to be qualified by experience, hence not being qualified! To possess a professional qualification, therefore, demonstrates that you possess the skills demanded of a chartered manager. At FI we deliver the CMI qualification using a blend of Online Live sessions and guided online study. We assess students skills through their completion of assignments. Also, the course includes our impact skills programme. This programme is a series of workshops where skills and behaviours can be practised. Therefore, this gives you the chance to learn and reflect, to try out your skills and to network with others from different sectors in your cohort.
If you would like to know more about how you can achieve chartered manager status please get in touch with us: landm@fi.co.uk
Learn more about the CMI qualification here.
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