Many management development programmes that I design are reasonably standard in terms of their format: a little pre-course work, a workshop, some follow-up work and then repeat – each module building on the last. Generally, managers who attend these programmes are junior-mid level with less than 5 years’ experience in a management role. This approach tends to work well.
But what about training for a more senior level? Those who have already done the typical management development programme? It is possible to argue that training isn’t always the best option for this group: development through coaching and mentoring if often used instead. However, sometimes companies want a more formal programme. This is quite a challenging programme to design as everyone joining the programme has quite a different role. They also have different (and quite often extensive) experience, different knowledge and different skills.