Professional Development for Strategic Managers: Skills and Techniques

This report focuses on the professional development of strategic managers, particularly within the context of Iceland Supermarkets. It begins by identifying essential personal skills for effective leadership and management, including time management, setting SMART objectives, problem-solving, and communication. The report then details techniques for assessing these skills, such as leadership and coaching skills, and the use of skills audits to evaluate strategic skills needed to meet current and future leadership requirements. A key component of the report is the development of a personal development plan aligned with the skills audit findings, incorporating SMART objectives. The report also outlines methods for assessing the outcomes of the personal development plan and evaluating its impact on achieving strategic goals. The analysis highlights the importance of continuous professional growth in a competitive environment, emphasizing the need for strategic managers to enhance their capabilities to drive organizational success.

Professional development for strategic
managers

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
1.1 Personal 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................................................................................................................2
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
3.1 Personal development plan that meets leadership development requirements identified in
skills audit....................................................................................................................................4
3.2 Methods to assess the outcomes of personal development plan against personal work
objectives.....................................................................................................................................7
3.3 Evaluation of impact of own learning against the achievement of strategic goals................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

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.
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 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. 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.
Skills I’m really
confident I can do
this
Not entirely
sure –I could
still improve.
I really need
to work on
this.
I am able to organize my time so that I
comfortably meet all my deadlines for my
tasks

I seek help or support from higher
authorities if I have difficulty completing a
task

I keep a diary or calendar so that I always
know when I have to order stock, manage
staff, meet staff and prioritize tasks

I arrive on time to work, appointments and
meetings

I am aware of the things that cause me to
waste time and am able to avoid them when
I have
work to complete

I have future targets in mind regarding my
career and use these to help me focus on


current tasks
Setting SMART Objectives: I use to set my targets on the basis of my work which I needs 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 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 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. 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 do am not
able to resolve problems appropriately. I am not very confident while using any type of basic problem solving
approach.
Skills I’m really
confident I
can do this
Not entirely
sure –I could
still improve.
I really
need to
work on
this.
I am able to use different methods for
discovering a problem.

I am able to consider a range of
alternative solutions to a problem

I am able to work productively with
others to solve problems

I know how to find out what is expected
of me in a particular task

Effective Communication Skill: As per the given table of check list, I founded that 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.
Skills I’m really
confident I
can do this
Not entirely
sure –I could
still improve.
I really
need to
work on
this.
In staff meetings, I listen to others and I
value and respond to their contribution
even if I do not agree


I am confident that I can contribute ideas
and opinions to a group projects

I think of relevant follow-up
questions as people are speaking and
ask them once they have finished

I am confident in explaining new
concepts to other people

I am confident in giving a presentation to
my peers

I am confident in conducting staff
appraisals and staff interviews

I am confident that I can structure reports,
record minutes of meetings, maintain other
relevant

With the help of having all the above skill 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
4. 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 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 and which I need to develop to
become a 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 founded 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 the 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 better way and motivate way and I encourage others
to work towards challenging professional and personal development goals.
In order to become a 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
as well. It boost my inspiration level to give better coaching to people and train them in more 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 effective. Active listening is another capability of mine which helps me attentive all
the time. For the same, I encourage others to talk and do not interrupt and when 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 this questionnaire to identify which skills you have already mastered and which ones you still need to
work on. Remember, only you will see this so be as honest as you can.
KE
Y
X No – I really need to work on
this.
X Not entirely sure –I could still
improve.
X Yes – I’m really confident I can do
this
TIME and SELF MANAGEMENT
I am able to organise my time so that I comfortably meet all my deadlines for my tasks x
I seek help or support from higher authorities if I have difficulty completing a task x
I keep a diary or calendar so that I always know when I have to order stock, manage staff, meet
staff and prioritise tasks
x
I arrive on time to work, appointments and meetings x
I am aware of the things that cause me to waste time and am able to avoid them when I have
work to complete
x
I have future targets in mind regarding my career and use these to help me
focus on current tasks
x

PROBLEM SOLVING
I am able to use different methods for exploring a problem, such as considering different points
of view or options
x
I am able to consider a range of alternative solutions to a problem and predict the best one in
the given circumstances
x
I am able to work productively with others to solve problems x
I know how to find out what is expected of me in a particular task x
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
In staff meetings, I listen to others and I value and respond to their contribution even if I do
not agree
x
I am confident that I can contribute ideas and opinions to a group projects x
I think of relevant follow-up questions as people are speaking and ask them once they have
finished
x
I am confident explaining new concepts to other people x
I would be confident in giving a presentation to my peers x
I am confident in conducting staff appraisals and staff interviews x
I am confident that I can structure reports, record minutes of meetings, maintain other relevant
administrative records effectively
x
LEADERSHIP and MANAGEMENT SKILLS
I 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

How can I develop these skills?
Time and Self-management
Prioritise and manage time to get a work and personal
life balance
Use feedback from peers to set targets and improve
Problem solving/Conflict management skills
Complete tasks in a methodical
way
Contribute effectively to group
projects
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
1