Skills Audit and Development for Strategic Managers

This report focuses on the professional development of strategic managers, particularly within the context of Iceland Supermarkets. It begins by identifying essential personal skills, such as time management, setting SMART objectives, problem-solving, and effective communication, supported by self-assessment checklists. The report then explores various techniques for assessing these skills, including leadership and coaching skills, and the importance of consultation. A skills audit is conducted to evaluate the strategic skills needed for current and future leadership requirements. The report also emphasizes the importance of setting SMART objectives. The report identifies areas where the strategic manager excels (time management and communication) and areas for improvement (problem solving). The report also includes a professional skills assessment, with a focus on problem-solving and task management, and concludes with an overview of the skills needed to achieve strategic goals. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the skills and techniques needed for effective strategic management, offering a practical approach to personal and professional development.

Professional development for strategic
managers

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
1.1Personal skills required to needed in for effective leadership and management....................3
1.2 Various techniques to assess the personal skills required for achieving strategic direction
of Iceland supermarket.................................................................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................9
2.1 Skills audit to evaluate strategic skills needed to meet current and future leadership
requirements.................................................................................................................................9
2.2 Criteria such as national occupational standard for management and leadership to identify
preferred learning style..............................................................................................................12
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................15
3.1 Personal development plan that meets leadership development requirements identified in
skills audit..................................................................................................................................15
3.2 Methods to assess the outcomes of personal development plan against personal work
objectives...................................................................................................................................18
3.3 Evaluation of impact of own learning against the achievement of strategic goals..............20
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................21
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................22

INTRODUCTION
In today’s highly competitive environment it is the very crucial for the management employees to enhance
their skills and capabilities so that they can survive as well. In this concern, personal development is the most
important aspect which is required by individual’s life. It is all about the grooming of the overall personality of
person which helps him/her in future growth as well as career growth (Khilay, 2010). Further, the present study is
based on the professional development of strategic managers. There are various methods and techniques through
which better strategic direction can be made. With the help of such development a person can easily perform the
particular job with full enthusiasm. Here, the present study gives brief description about the personal and
professional development with reference to strategic manager of Iceland Supermarkets. It includes the overall
assessment of all the skills and capabilities required to achieve goals. For this, personal development plan is
presented in this research with the help of SMART objectives.
n this in LO 2.2 the calculation is not done so it is not clear which type of learning style? also in 3.2 on table on
column date of completion was not mention
2.2 please write below table tota
1.1 Personal skills required to needed in for effective leadership and management
By using appropriate methods and skill review audit it has been founded that there are several personal
skills which is required. It is highly essential for the appropriate leadership and management as well ( Blackmore,
2010). As my position of strategic manager in Iceland supermarkets it is quite essential for me to have several
skills to perform my role in an appropriate manner such as:
Time management: One of the most crucial skills which are required by me is related to the time
management. Being a strategic manager, I need to handle all the tasks in a particular time span. I possess this
ability at some extent and try to maintain my work for the same. With the help of this skill, I can prioritize my
private as well as personal work. It helps me managing my work effectively and in taking better decisions as well.
It also impacts the productivity of my company by meeting all deadlines and improves the brand image also. This
skill assists me in achieving time based targets and achieving long term goals. As per the given table of check list,
I have found that I possess appropriate time management skill due to which I am able to handle all my projects
and lead them in a better way. I am able to finish my tasks on the given time period.
SMART Objectives: I use to set my targets on the basis of my work which I have to complete. Through
this, I can easily identify whether the set objective is specific, measurable, realistic or attainable or not. It boosts
me to complete the given tasks on a timely manner and attain my specific tasks as well. As per the given table of
check list, I have found that I am very confident in drawing up my action plan by setting my own targets as well as
in identifying my priorities. This clearly elaborates that I always use to set my SMART objectives on the basis of
given target.
Problem Solving Skill: Being the strategic manager within a retail firm, I face lots of difficulties regarding
my work. It also hampers my personal as well as professional life due to the increasing stress. I possess problem
solving skill at some extent but still most of the time, I feel pressurized due to workload and increasing problems
and queries. Although, I use to implement all the techniques such as SWOT as well as PESTLE analysis so that I

can easily resolve all my queries and organizational problems. Further, problem solving is the most important skill
through which I can carry out all the business operations effectively and resolve my personal as well as personal
issues. However, I am quite confident in using basic approaches of problem solving as well as setting my targets
and drawing up an action plan. As per the given table of check list, I have found that I am not able to resolve the
problems appropriately. I am not very confident while using any type of basic problem solving approach.
Effective Communication Skill: As per the given table of check list, I found that I am having very good
communication skills due to which I can easily interact and communicate with my team members as well
colleagues. It highly motivates my co-workers to complete the work effectively without any queries. Further, it
can be determined that communication is all about active listening, questioning and handling ability. Through
appropriate communication, I am able to convey right message to right person and can easily avoid all types of
confusion and misunderstanding.
With the help of having all the above skills, I can prove myself to be the best manager of Iceland and
resolve all the queries of my co-worker regarding work, time management as well as performance.
Skill Rating (Out of 10) Justification
Time management 8 One of the most crucial
skills which are required by me is
related to the time management.
Being a strategic manager I need to
handle all the tasks in a particular
time span. I possess this ability at
some extent and try to maintain my
work for the same. With the help of
this skill I can prioritize my private
as personal work. It helps me
managing my work effective and
taking better decisions as well. It
also impacts the productivity of my
company by meeting all the
deadlines and improves the brand
image as well. This skill assists me
in achieving time based targets and
achieving long term goals as well.
Setting SMART Objectives 9 I use to set my targets on the basis
of my work which I need to
complete. Through this, I can easily
identify whether the set objective is
specific, measurable, realistic or

attainable or not. It boosts me to
complete the given tasks on a timely
manner and attain my specific tasks
as well.
Problem Solving Skill 6 Being s strategic manager within a
retail firm I face lots of difficulties
regarding my work. It also hampers
my personal as well as professional
life due to the increasing stress. I
possess problem solving skill at
some extent but still most of the
time I feel pressurized due to the
workload and increasing problems
and queries. Although, I use to
implement all the techniques such as
SWOT as well as PESTLE analysis
so that I can easily resolve all my
queries and organizational
problems. Further, problem solving
is a most important skill through
which I can carry out all the
business operations effectively and
resolve my personal as well as
personal issues.
Effective Communication Skill 10 I am having a very good
communication skill due to which I
can easily interact and communicate
with my team members as well
colleagues. It highly motivates my
co-workers to complete the work
effectively without any queries.
Further, it can be determine that
communication is all about active
listening, questioning and handling
ability. Through appropriate
communication I am able to convey
right message to right person and
easily avoid all type of confusion

and misunderstanding.
1.2 Various techniques to assess the personal skills required for achieving strategic direction of Iceland
supermarket
As a position of strategic it is quite essential for me to assess my personal skills so that I can easily achieve
strategic direction of my company. In order to identify these capabilities, there are various techniques which is
very helpful such as:
Leadership skill: strategic manager should have appropriate professional leadership skill so that he/she can
easily lead all the team as well as team members (Prasad and Patnaik, 2013). In order to better lead the team it is
necessary for the manager to influence the behaviour of all their co-workers and provide them better strategic
direction. Through this, he can motivate all the employees to work with full zeal.
Coaching Skill: A leader must have appropriate coaching skill through which he/she can provide
appropriate training to all their team members. A strategic manager is the leader of company which is also known
as coach who can easily enhance the knowledge of all the workers in an appropriate way.
Consulting: It is considered as a most effective technique through which strategic manager can identify all
his personal skills required by him to achieve the strategic direction. With the help of appropriate consultation
with their senior management people he is able to possess all the places where he needs improvement. In this
regard, he can consult with the expertise in the particular area of field and go through the appropriate changes
required by them (Burkšaitiene and et.al, 2011). It is another most effective way through which strategic manager
can identify the personal skills and improvement required by him.
Professional skills – PROBLEM SOLVING and TASK MANAGEMENT
Rating sheet – Very confident = 4; Confident = 3; Quite confident = 2 Not very confident = 1;
Not confident at all/Don’t know = 0
I am confident in Rating
1. Using basic approaches to problem solving 2
2. Knowing what is meant by elaborating a problem 3
3. Apply similarity approach to problem solving 3
4. Applying a strategy to problem solving 2
5. Applying a multiple solution approach to problem solving 2
6. Evaluating multiple solutions 2
7. Setting criteria to evaluate a solution 3
8. Identifying priorities 4
9. Setting targets 4
10.Drawing up an action plan 4
11.Organising project time 3
12.My ability to get down to work on a task 4
13.My ability to be a good self-starter 4

14.My ability to stick with a task until it is completed 4
15.My ability to finish of a task 4
16.My understanding what is meant by a project 3
17.My understanding of the difference between various
projects in the organisation
3
18.Managing a project 4
19.Using performance indicators 3
20.Using soft criteria to evaluate my performance 3
21.Using benchmarks 2
22.My understanding of personal competitiveness 4
23.My ability to lead a project 4
24.Making best use of the strengths of project team
members
4
25.My ability to find creative solutions to a problems 2
Total – 4 – 8; 3 – 12; 2 – 5; 1 – 0
Source: Stella Cottrell (2015) Skills for success, Macmillan publishers limited
COACHING and MENTORING SKILLS
Rating sheet – Very confident = 4; Confident = 3; Quite confident = 2 Not very confident = 1;
Not confident at all/Don’t know = 0
Consulting and Mentoring Skills Rating of 0-4
Personal style
1 I build rapport and establish trust 3
2 I maintain confidentiality 4
3 I am committed to the development of people 3
Giving feedback
4 I am forthright, constructive and challenging when giving
feedback
4
1. I help people to gain new insight 4
6 I always try to give specific example 3
7 I balance positive with negative 3
Questioning
8 I spend time questioning and probing others in order to
understand problems fully
3
9 I use questions to help others review their progress. 4
10 I ask questions in order to understand people better, and
what motivate them
4
11 I use a variety of questioning skills for different situations
and purposes
3

Strategic Objectives and direction
12 I help others to set clear and achievable goal 4
13 I encourage others to work towards challenging
professional and personal development goals
4
14 I set goals which ensure that people continue to develop
new knowledge and skills
4
Being open and accessible
15 I make myself accessible to others 3
16 I make it easy for others to be open and candid 4
17 I make time to review performance and to support others 2
Active listening
18 I listen carefully and give full attention 3
19 when talking to others, I frequently clarify and check
understanding
3
20 I encourage others to talk and do not interrupt 4
21 I balance the amount of talking and listening 3
Flexibility
22 I am open to new idea 4
23 I stimulate people to use their creativity and explore
different solutions
4
24 I help people to find their own solutions rather than telling
people what to do
3
In order to identify my skills, capabilities as well as weaknesses, I have developed a table in which I rated
myself on the basis of all these factors. For the same, I have developed a table on the basis of my problem solving
skill as well as task management.
After given rating to myself, I have found that I am not very confident in using basic problem solving
approaches as I have fear about not to use it in an appropriate manner. I have found several areas where I was very
confident such as recognizing priorities,setting targets, drawing up an action plan and to stick with a task until it is
not completed. These are some major qualities which has raised my level of confidence at the time of solving any
type of problem as well as managing my tasks appropriately. However, I need to improve my problem solving
skill as I am not very confident in applying a multiple solution approach to problem solving as well as applying a
strategy to problem solving. My ability to find creative solution is quite low which I need to develop to become
the best manager.
In addition to this, another table has been framed just to rate my coaching as well as mentoring skill. After
analysing this table, it has been found that I was quite confident to build trust on others as I am committed to the
development of people. They inspire from my capabilities and try to improve their skills on the basis of same.
However, I have gone through several areas in which I am very confident such as I always use to maintain
confidentiality and help people to gain new insight. It helps me in developing my positive identity in the mind-set

of people. I always ask questions just to understand people in a better way and to motivate them as well as I
encourage others to work towards challenging professional and personal development goals.
In order to become the best at my position, I have set my strategic objectives and direction. Here, in this
regard, my direction and goal is just to ensure that people are continuously developing their skills and knowledge.
It boosts my inspiration level to give better coaching to people and train them in better ways. I always use to be
very flexible and open to new ideas forever. It boosts up the confidence level of my co-workers and motivates
them to work effectively. Active listening is another capability of mine which helps me to be attentive all the time.
For the same, I encourage others to talk and do not interrupt and while talking to others, I frequently clarify and
check understanding.
TASK 2
2.1 Skills audit to evaluate strategic skills needed to meet current and future leadership requirements
With the help of appropriate audit I am able to evaluate all my strategic skills as well as my future
opportunities for the same. Here, personal SWOT analysis will be the most suitable which motivates me to
overcome with all the threats I am facing.
SKILLS AUDIT
Use thisquestionnaire toidentify whichskillsyouhavealready masteredandwhichonesyoustill need to work
on. Remember,only youwillsee thissobeas honest asyou can.
KE
Y
XNo –I reallyneedto work on
this.
XNotentirely sure–I couldstill
improve.
XYes–I’mreallyconfidentI cando
this
TIMEandSELFMANAG
EMENTI amabletoorganisemytimeso that I comfortably meet allmydeadlines formy tasks x
I seek help or support from higher authorities ifIhavedifficulty completingatask x
I keepadiaryorcalendarsothatI always know whenI have toorder stock, manage staff, meet staff
and prioritise tasks x
I arriveontimeto work,appointmentsandmeetings x
I amaware of thethingsthatcausemeto waste timeandamabletoavoidthem when I have
work tocomplete x
I havefuturetargetsin mindregardingmycareer andusetheseto helpme
focus oncurrent tasks x
PROBLEM SOLVING
I amabletouse differentmethodsforexploringa problem, suchasconsideringdifferent pointsof
vieworoptions x
I amabletoconsiderarangeofalternativesolutions toaproblemandpredict thebestonein
thegivencircumstances x
I amabletowork productively withotherstosolve problems x
I know how tofindout whatisexpected of mein a particular task x

COMMUNICATION
SKILLSInstaff meetings,I listen toothersandI valueandrespondto their contributionevenifIdo
not agree x
I amconfident that I cancontributeideas andopinionstoagroupprojects x
I think of relevant follow-up questions aspeoplearespeakingandaskthemonce they have
finished
x
I amconfident explaining new concepts tootherpeople x
I would beconfidentingivingapresentationtomy peers x
I am confident in conducting staff appraisals and staff interviews x
I amconfident that I can structurereports, record minutes of meetings, maintain other relevant
administrative records effectively x
LEADERSHIP and
MANAGEMENT
SKILLSI can plan, organize and
execute tasks as per the
set objectives
x
I have excellent peoples’
skills
x
I am confident in persuading and motivating my team in order to make things happen x
I am supportive of my team members in times of need x
I am good at delegate tasks to employees with appropriate skills set x
I am clear about what direction I need to give in times of change x
I readily accept responsibility for mistakes and wrong decisions x

HowcanIdevelopthese skills?
Time and Self-management
Prioritiseandmanagetimetogetawork and
personal lifebalance
Usefeedbackfrom peerstosettargetsand
improve
Problemsolving/Conflict management skills
Complete tasksinamethodicalway
Contributeeffectivelytogroupprojects
Communication Skills – Oral and Written
Aattend communication based
seminars and training
Leadership and Management skills
do online leadership courses
Strength: In have a sound skill i.e. initiator and motivation. As a strategic manager, there
are several roles and responsibilities which must be attain by me. Here, one of the major strength
is that I always motivate my subordinators to perform all their tasks (Cardno, 2005). This skill
helps me in completion of all my tasks done on the given deadline. Through this, I can enhance
the productivity of my company and directly boost the morale of employees (McGurk, 2010). On
the other hand, I am a good initiator and as strategic manager it is my responsibility to take
several initiatives and develop better strategies so that I can motivate my workers. It helps me in
appropriate future growth as well as development into my leadership qualities.
Weaknesses: However, there are some weaknesses faced by me that I may not able to
resolve any problem quickly. My problem solving skill sometimes hampers my work quality as
well. Due to this, I lack team building skills and face stress at the time of working. Due to this, I
may not able to leave remarkable impression on my co-workers and easily resolve their queries.
Further, problem solving skill is quite essential for me to have due to development of better
strategic plan.
Opportunities: While working with the Iceland supermarkets I have found several
opportunities. There are various training sessions organized by company which helps me in
improving my overall work quality. By attending this training session I can enhance my
knowledge within the various field which helps in me improving my leadership qualities.
Through this, I can communicate with people in a more effective way and easily listen them

appropriately (Cross and Papadopoulos, 2003). Sharing different ideas and information will
groom my personality. This is the most essential skill required by me and helps me in my future
growth and career development as well.
Threats: At the time of working with the Iceland retail I have found a major threat from
my co-workers. By having their higher efficiency they can get several chance for promotion. It
might stop my growth and position development as well. On the other hand, most of the time I
found that interpretation of any message convey to me in a wrong manner. It crates lots of
confusion and hamper my work quality as well (Marques, 2012).
With the help of above skill audit I am able to identify all my strategic skills which help
me in meeting my leadership capabilities as well as improving it.
2.2 Criteria such as national occupational standard for management and leadership to identify
preferred learning style
4=Yes, this is very true of me; 3=Yes, it is true of me; 2=sort of true/don’t know;
1= hardly ever true; 0= not true or me at all
1. When I am reading, I pictures the scene in my head 4 3 2 1 0
2. I have a good memory for conversation 4 3 2 1 0
3. I will remember something better if I have seen it written down 4 3 2 1 0
4. I remember things best if I get up and move about 4 3 2 1 0
5. I use my hands a lot when I am speaking 4 3 2 1 0
6. I like to picture what I am learning 4 3 2 1 0
7. I remember phone numbers by the movement I make to dial to them 4 3 2 1 0
8. I repeat things out loud or over and over in my head to remember
them
4 3 2 1 0
9. I doodle whilst I am listening 4 3 2 1 0
10.I add up numbers out loud 4 3 2 1 0
11.I can’t add up unless I can see the numbers written down 4 3 2 1 0
12.I am good at remembering the words to songs 4 3 2 1 0
13.I prefer to watch something being done before I try it myself 4 3 2 1 0
14.I like to ask a lot of questions in class 4 3 2 1 0
15.I find it easy to remember where I last saw something 4 3 2 1 0
16.I write out words to see if the spelling feels right 4 3 2 1 0
17.I have good eye for colour 4 3 2 1 0
18.I am a good at ear for music 4 3 2 1 0
19.I am good at sport 4 3 2 1 0