Helping Employees Transition to Managerial Roles

workSMART Workshop:
Central Arizona Project, Supervisor Academy

CHALLENGE:

We previously worked with the Central Arizona Project (CAP) during their inaugural Supervisor’s Academy event, delivering a well-received Time Management training. The CAP team wanted to provide a program for 15 of their Supervisor’s Academy participants and their managers to be successful in the transition to their new roles. CAP specifically wanted to help their employees navigate the challenges of shifting to a supervisor role, prioritizing tasks, delegating appropriately , working longer days with more time out of office, meeting deadlines and handling curveballs.

SOLUTION:

Working with the CAP team, we tailored our flagship workshop, WorkSmart: Time Management & Productivity Skills for the Knowledge Worker, to their specific organizational goals. Using a highly interactive workshop structure, we combined small group discussion, exercises and action planning to give attendees a robust and personal experience. Each attendee received a set of program materials which included a workbook, strategy card and portfolio with meeting planning pad to help them capture their workshop experience and provide value post-workshop. Participants also received a copy of Julie’s book Never Check Email in the Morning, along with a four-week follow-up program designed to help support attendees in building new habits.

RESULTS:

Attendees recovered time in their week from their new productivity habits, specifically finding that they were better able to prioritize, manage workload, and effectively plan for tasks and projects.. With their growing time management skills, they were able  to focus on high level strategic work while decreasing the backlog on their desks.