fgi Online Coaching for Managers in Transition FischerGroupInternational Managing the Invisible Page 1

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1 Online Coaching for Managers in Transition Leadership Transition Online fgi initiated the Leadership Transition Online (LTO) coaching tool more than ten years ago now: the first online application to support leadership transition in ensuring successful entry into the respective new positions. As a result, fgi established itself as a pioneer for online-based self-coaching in challenging leadership issues and was distinguished with the European Award for Technology Supported Learning in Since then, LTO has proved successful in hundreds of leadership transitions. fgi has now technically modernized its coaching tool, updated content and expanded the range of innovative capabilities. Managing the Invisible Page 1

2 fgi has been supporting senior managers in making the transition into new positions for more than two decades now. The new version of LTO is also based on this immense wealth of experience and the very latest research findings. In order for managers in transition to make proactive use of the opportunities of their situation and avoid any pitfalls, the coaching tool addresses all decisive issues of the leadership transition: How can key personnel and support and resistance potentials within the company be identified? How do you handle the often very different expectations of employees, colleagues and superiors? And how can you explore the potential influence and strategic perspectives that are expected in the new position over the first few months? each leadership transition into account. The tool is primarily directed at experienced managers across all levels. There is also a separate version for first-time managers, which integrates the particular duties for new management into the learning process alongside the issues relating to the change. For they also have to develop awareness of their new role and work intensively with their own management philosophy. A coaching tool for all eventualities Not only senior management benefit from a successful leadership transition, but also the company, staff, customers and other stakeholders too. Yet each leadership transition has its own specifics: those being brought into the new position as the changer should motivate their team for a clear programme of change. Those from outside the industry must be integrated into a new corporate culture. International leadership transitions must also be able to handle culturally influenced differences in the leadership and management alongside their own challenges faced with the position change. LTO takes the specifics of The manager should begin preparations for the change even before the official start. The four phases of leadership transition One tool, two versions: online-based self-coaching for experienced senior management and first-time managers. Leadership change begins earlier than you might think: This is why LTO provides support in the weeks leading up to the start of the new position and accompanies managers thereafter for around nine months. The four phase model developed by fgi is on the basis for systematically exploiting the opportunities that arise through leadership transition and as a result, the leadership transition has a clear and concise structure; each phase is linked with clearly formulated tasks for the manager. Page 2

3 1. The positioning phase: preparing for the start in advance In this phase it is important to explore the new environment, its symbols and rituals as well as possible, analyse possible issues and clarify future tasks. A manager in transition should carry out initial discussions with key personnel outside their new area of responsibility and agree a clear division of tasks and roles with the current holder of the position before they officially start in their new position. LTO offers support with concrete tips as well as comprehensive guidelines and warns against typical mistakes. The weeks leading up to the official start are crucial for success of the leadership transition LTO provides support from the beginning. 2. The orientation phase: establishing trust and confidence The manager has started their new position, the tasks are numerous, the surrounding expectations large. The manager in transition must now not be tempted to take hasty action. They should rather use this time period for discussions with employees and disseminators, since the foundation of trusting and viable relationships is of a crucial importance for a successful leadership transition. The orientation phase can be planned and reflected on with LTO: from the inaugural speech and the initial discussions with employees and colleagues through the analysis of complex situations to the definition of central content-related themes. Good teamwork has a system: LTO helps to win over employees for the changes. 3. The innovation phase: creating the basis for changes It is a question during this period of strengthening the team and using the resources already available. This is achieved through the development of a specific set of goals, in which the manager can determine their overall vision, the strengths of employees and the changes being sought. LTO puts the manager in a position to define their change scenarios and parameters and formulate suitable messages for the team and other interest groups within the company, since the change process will only succeed if it is planned well and relies on participation. 4. The change phase: structured approach to the targets Not getting lost in the operational turmoil and constantly reiterating the necessity for and benefits of the envisaged changes are the objectives that now come into focus here. LTO helps the manager to accurately assess the behaviour of the team members during the change process and to dispel possible resistance. The coaching tool also heightens awareness of the proper communication needed with decision-makers, superiors and support functions and helps the manager in transition to monitor the change process. Page 3

4 Modern, interactive, low cost The advantages of using self-coaching with LTO for the manager in transition and companies at a glance: Up-to-date development programme Digital channels have changed the workplace and our use of media. LTO adapts to the requirements of modern managers: it is enough for the manager in transition to work with the coaching tool for one hour a week. They can determine whether they wish to use LTO on their PC, laptop or tablet. Situational analysis with interactive tools The manager in transition can systematically collect and analyse their observations and discussions on the central success factors of a leadership transition using five interactive applications. Graphics indicate which issues have the greatest need for action. Individual and self-directed handling of the relevant topics Week after week, the manager in transition will be assisted and encouraged to reflect on their situation with information, tasks, checklists and interactive exercises. The user has the option of making personal notes online, which can be recalled and printed out at any time. Comprehensive knowledge transfer Interesting downloadable case studies and guidelines prepare the manager for key situations for example, the inaugural speech and convey profound knowledge on the topics of leadership and change management, which are helpful far beyond the period of the leadership transition. Professional leadership transition process LTO sharpens the awareness in the company that leadership transitions represent a constantly recurring key process. As a result, an opportunity-oriented environment is promoted during leadership transitions, which minimizes frictional losses in the transitional climate. Targeted investments Leadership transitions are a significant investment for any company. LTO represents a cost-effective way to self-coach and in doing so ensures that leadership transitions are more likely to succeed Three ways to leadership transition online The application of LTO can always be precisely tailored to the individual needs of a company and its managers in transition. fgi offers three possibilities here: 1. Integration of LTO in the company s own IT architecture (intranet website) Companies can seamlessly integrate the tool into their own IT platform. All individual entries are stored locally on the manager s PC or tablet and are thus not visible to other users. 2. Integration of LTO in a learning management system (LMS) If the company has an LMS then LTO can be integrated as a SCORM or AICC package. The user data is stored in the LMS database and is not accessible to other learners. 3. Access to LTO via an individual account Companies acquire individual accounts with which their managers in transition can use LTO for nine months. In this case, the user data is stored on the fgi learning management system (fgi-online. com) other learners have no access to this data, and data protection is of course guaranteed. Page 4

5 The best of both worlds: LTO in blended coaching The benefits of individual coaching are combined with the flexibility of e-learning in blended coaching. Alongside access to LTO, fgi blended coaching includes two half-day personal appointments with experienced fgi coaches, which take place at the start of the new position and towards the end of the orientation phase. The manager in transition will also receive three one and a half hour coaching sessions via phone or Skype one of which is provided at the end of the positioning phase, with the other sessions being scheduled as required. The advantage of blended coaching is clear: The manager and coach discuss current issues and problems of the leadership transition personally and against the background of insights obtained through LTO. Thus, the manager in transition is able to obtain that extra impetus to confidently make the right decisions. 7 facts about Leadership Transition Online Two versions: for experienced managers and first-time managers Both versions offered in German and English 6 modules: introduction (module 1), the transitional leadership phases (modules 2 to 5), interactive tools (module 6) High multimediality: guidelines, case studies, interactive tools Optimized for display on PC (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux) and tablet (Android, Windows 10, ios) Implementable in company IT architectures using Articulate Storyline 2 and SCORM compatibility Blended coaching: LTO combined with personal and telephone coaching sessions Would you like to find out more about the Leadership Transition Online coaching tool and the blended coaching package offered by fgi? We look forward to hearing from you and would be happy to arrange a free test account. Just get in touch with Rüdiger Schulz, Managing Partner at fgi, ruediger.schulz@fgi-mail.com Madeleine Krüger, Online Manager, madeleine.krueger@fgi-mail.com Learn whenever and wherever you want. LTO adapts to the time management of the manager in transition. Tel. +49 (0) Page 5