Performance Management Course Modules

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 20 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To provide participants with an opportunity to reflect - for example, at the end of a year or a project, and learn from the highs as well as the lows.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of almost any size.

Useful For:
Work-based or project teams.

You'll Need:
• Flipchart paper and enough red, green and yellow round sticky dots so that your participants have 5 of each colour. (If you can't source sticky dots, green, red and yellow marker pens will do.)

Notes:
This exercise is designed to be run as part of an end of year review, or following the completion of a major project, to enable participants to process what happened, maybe get a few things off their chest, admit areas where they struggled and to celebrate the good parts too. More importantly, it gives individuals and the team as a whole a chance to decide how they will behave going forward as a result of this insight.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 25 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• This exercise is designed for the start of a team session that reviews the previous year; in particular what went well, what people struggled with and what they learnt from it.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of any size.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• A balloon for each participant. (It’s preferable to have lots of different colours.)
• A whistle or claxon to tell everyone to stop.
• You will need a nice (indoor) space for participants to throw their balloons in the air and keep all the balloons airborne.

Notes:
You will need to plan a little in advance for this activity and be prepared to send out reminder emails to ensure the pre-exercise task is completed.

Larger groups will necessitate a longer running time for the exercise.

Time:
The exercises in this module will take about 30 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 50 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To think about what needs to happen to ensure we don't regret the things we didn't do.
• To consider the feelings of success, and their impact upon motivation.
• To look at the importance of creating objectives that are SMART.
• To consider the importance of taking control, and what prevents us doing that.
• To provide an opportunity for participants to think about their own short, medium and long-term goals.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
You might want to follow this module with the module entitled Five Balls – Goal Setting and Motivation, which illustrates the value of breaking long-term goals down into short-term achievable chunks.

We also recommend you refer to the module Breaking Goals Down, which contains further ideas for building on this module.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 45 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 60 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To define what effective feedback is.
• To introduce participants to the AID model for giving feedback.
• To give participants an opportunity to practise giving feedback using the AID model.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• The film: ‘Why Do I Always Get Them?’. (If you don’t have a Trainers’ Library membership that includes the option to stream this film you can purchase a DVD from Trainers' Library.)
• Plenty of AIDing Feedback Cards and Blu Tack.

Notes:
The video used in this exercise can also be used for customer services training using our module Why Do I Always Get Them?.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
This exercise will take about 30 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 60 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To enable participants to be able to define coaching and its purpose.
• To explain the key differences between coaching and mentoring.
• To enable participants to describe a basic coaching model.
• To identify the core skills required by effective coaches.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 24 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Plenty of space for participants to work in pairs for this module.

Notes:
Endorsed by The National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers, NASBTT.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed within 25 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 40 minutes to complete the module.

Aims:
• To consider what constitutes unacceptable behaviour in the workplace.
• To encourage participants to think about the impact of their own behaviour on others.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels, but especially supervisors and managers.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This module makes the point that is the impact of behaviour that matters, not the intent. It includes a thought provoking exercise that will promote discussion of the key learning points.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
This exercise will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 25 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To understand the importance of listening skills.
• To illustrate the dangers of making assumptions.
• To provoke discussion about prejudices and stereotypes.

Group Size:
Suitable for use with groups of almost any size. This module is also suitable for remote/virtual delivery – see separate note.

You'll Need:
• Pens and paper for every participant.
• The audio recording of the story, which can be streamed from Trainers’ Library if you prefer not to read it aloud yourself.

Notes:
If reading the story to participants, we suggest that you rehearse reading the story aloud a few times prior to delivery.

This module has been endorsed by Show Racism the Red Card. For more information about the great work this charity is doing to educate against racism, visit www.theredcard.org.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 60 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 75 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To explore some of the challenges participants will face as a manager and how to approach them with the right balance of ethics and pragmatism.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of between 4 to 18 participants.

Useful For:
Learners who are brand new managers (or very soon will be), particularly if they have been promoted from within the team.

You'll Need:
• Playing pieces, one per team.
• Small prize for the winning team.
• 60 second timer or stopwatch.
• Facilitator Traffic Lights.
• At a Crossroads Conundrum Cards.
• At a Crossroads Diversion Cards (3 per team).
• At a Crossroads Game Board.
• At a Crossroads Suggested Answers (for the facilitator).

Notes:
This exercise is suitable for use with groups of up to 18 participants. It is run as a competitive game, which is a race to the finish and played in teams of two or three players. We do not recommend having teams with more than three participants.

All the scenarios contained in the cards are based on actual experiences faced by managers in their first year of managing a team. It is a particularly useful exercise for people who have been promoted from within the team to become the manager and who are struggling to adapt to their new role with people who were once their peers.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 60 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 75 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To explore some of the challenges participants will face whilst managing the performance of individuals in their team.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of between 4 to 18 participants.

Useful For:
Anyone who is responsible for the performance of others, or who soon will be.

You'll Need:
• Playing pieces, one per team.
• Small prize for the winning team.
• 60 second timer or stopwatch.
• Facilitator Traffic Lights.
• Conundrum Cards.
• Diversion Cards (3 per team).
• Game Board.
• Suggested Answers (for the facilitator).

Notes:
This exercise is suitable for use with groups of up to 18 participants. It’s run as a competitive game and is a race to the finish. Played in teams of 2-3 players - we do not recommend having teams with more than 3 participants.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercises in this module will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 40 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To consider the link between attitudes and beliefs, and results.
• To identify the need to take responsibility for our own results.
• To build an understanding of what individuals might be capable of, if they adopt a positive attitude, and push themselves a little more.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This exercise includes mention of the story of Malala Yousafzai. Depending upon your audience, you may wish to substitute it for another story that resonates with your participants.

If you do use a different story, it is important that you choose ones that will be well known to your participants and which will highlight an individual who has overcome significant hardship to achieve something of genuine importance.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 50-60 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 75-90 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To help participants understand what their leadership (and followership) style is through physicalising part of the leadership process.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of any size, however the exercise works much better with larger groups.

Useful For:
Managers, directors and others in leadership roles.

You'll Need:
• Blindfolds.
• A large, empty space (see notes).

Notes:
This exercise can provide participants with a very different insight into their leadership style (and their style as a follower). It is particularly useful for exploring trust and being hands on and hands off.

You need a large, empty space for this exercise. Any chairs should be placed against the walls of the room, leaving as much space as possible. It is possible to do this exercise outside, for example on a lawn.

There is the risk of people knocking into each other, a wall or furniture in this exercise. Make clear that participants guiding another colleague are responsible for that participant’s safety at all times.

* Although you can run this exercise with less than 8 participants it works much better with larger groups.

Time:
This exercise will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To show participants how we tend to mirror the body language of others when rapport is established.
• To discuss what happens to body language when rapport is absent.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels. It can be used with people who don't know one another at all, or who have met/worked together previously.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 35 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 45 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To show the value of breaking goals down into smaller chunks.
• To provide participants the opportunity to practise breaking long-term goals down into a series of short-term objectives.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
We have provided you with a suggested Gap Analysis about learning to juggle. If your participants all work in a similar role or for the same organisation, you might wish to substitute this example with one that is more relevant to your participants.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 30 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 60 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To demonstrate the importance of determination in building resilience.
• To identify what determination is and where it comes from.
• To list some of the key factors that help make people more determined.
• To identify ways to become more determined.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of any size.

Useful For:
Staff and managers at all levels.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
This exercise will take about 55 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 75 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to consider planning and preparation as part of leadership.
• To facilitate discussion around playing to the team's strength.
• To consider factors that motivate staff to perform well.
• To encourage staff to self assess, review and reflect on performance.
• To encourage leaders to consider their communication skills.
• To encourage leaders to consider the question of keeping people motivated.
• To demonstrate leadership skills in a practical task.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
First line managers and supervisors.

You'll Need:
• Broadsheet newspapers (one per team).
• Sticky tape (one per team).
• A tennis ball.

Notes:
In this exercise, participants will be working in teams of 4 or 5. Each team will need one broadsheet newspaper (for example, the Financial Times) and a roll of sticky tape.
In addition, you will need a tennis ball (or similar) to test the strength of the teams’ structures.

Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 15 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 40 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To define counselling skills.
• To build an understanding of the difference between counselling skills, the counsellor and a disciplinary interview.
• To identify situations where the use of counselling skills might be appropriate.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Managers and team leaders.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Time:
The exercises in this module can be completed within 40 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 60 minutes to complete the module.

Aims:
• To introduce participants to the subject of delegation.
• To explore what constitutes effective and ineffective delegation.
• To consider best practice when delegating.
• To identify some pitfalls to avoid when delegating.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants.

Useful For:
Team Leaders and managers.

You'll Need:
• Plenty of blank sheets of A4 paper.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 15 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30-45 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To understand why we delegate.
• To understand how to delegate effectively.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• A supply of Lego, with at least 15 large pieces for each team of 3-5 participants.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library - Building an Understanding of Delegation.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 15 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 45 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To show participants a five-step model that will help them establish the need for a difficult conversation and plan for a successful outcome.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Anyone.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
This exercise will take about 45 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 70 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To create a situation where participants have to manage change driven by one department, affecting the work of another.
• To identify some key learning points about managing change.
• To test information gathering and sharing skills.
• To demonstrate the importance of effective questioning, summary and clarification and active listening.
• To consider the pros and cons of different leadership styles.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Each team will need a space to work where they cannot be overheard by the other team (s).
• Each HR team will need an egg timer that takes 3-4 minutes for the sand to pass from one side to the other.

Notes:
As well as useful in programs concerned with change, this exercise can also be used as a general communication exercise, or in training concerned with internal customer care.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library - Dinner Party Mayhem - Managing Other Teams.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 90 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 150 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To enable participants to understand how investigations into an alleged disciplinary or grievance should be carried out.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to about 25 participants.

Useful For:
All managers.

You'll Need:
• Copies of your internal investigating/disciplinary procedures if you are using these.
• Copies of the ACAS Code of Practice Disciplinary and Grievance Procedure if you are using this – available as a free download from http://www.acas.org.uk.

Notes:
In this module, participants carry out an investigation into an alleged disciplinary offence and make a decision about what to do next.

We recommend that you follow it up with the module Disciplinary Part 2, which uses the same scenario and deals with what happens after the investigation is completed.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 30 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 75 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To enable participants to know how to plan, run and provide a fair outcome for a disciplinary meeting.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to about 25 participants.

Useful For:
Anyone who is responsible for the performance of others at work. It will also be useful for those who may have to chair disciplinary meetings.

You'll Need:
• Copies of your internal investigating/disciplinary procedures if you are using these.
• Copies of the ACAS Code of Practice Disciplinary and Grievance Procedure if you are using this – available as a free download from http://www.acas.org.uk.

Notes:
This module can only be run as a follow up to Disciplinary - Part 1.

It is suitable for large and small companies.

The answers provided here reflect the legal minimum for the UK. You may want to amend/add to these answers in the light of your country’s legal requirements or your organisation’s policies.

Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 60 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To consider how a disciplinary policy/procedure should be used in practice.
• To help participants identify the skills and behaviours they should adopt as managers when involved in a disciplinary procedure.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants.

Useful For:
Line managers.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This module has been written with best practice in the UK in mind. Please be aware when using this module that legislation affecting this area tends to be updated frequently and that the legal position in countries outside of the UK may differ. All trainers should check the current situation and their organisation’s policies with a HR professional before running this module. For UK customers, the ACAS website is very helpful: www.acas.org.uk.

Time:
The exercises in this module will take about 60 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 120 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To help participants understand the benefits of having a disciplinary procedure.
• To help participants learn about the organisation’s procedure and their responsibility within it.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels and line managers in particular.

You'll Need:
• Copies of the organisation's disciplinary policy and procedures.

Notes:
This module has been written with best practice in the UK in mind. Please be aware when using this module that legislation affecting this area tends to be updated frequently and that the legal position in countries outside of the UK may differ. All trainers should check the current situation and their organisation’s policies with a HR professional before running this module. For UK customers, the ACAS website is very helpful: http://www.acas.org.uk.

This module is intended to introduce participants to their organisation’s disciplinary procedure in a way that helps them to understand it and importantly, understand the benefits of having it – to themselves, the staff and the organisation as a whole.

This module can be used as a starting point for a Discipline and Grievance workshop, or indeed as a stand alone module to introduce participants to the ‘What’ and the ‘Why’ so that at least they have comfort in that knowledge.

Time:
The exercises in this module can be completed within 60 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 120 minutes to complete the module.

Aims:
• To agree the important principles of effective delegation.
• To review and learn from the experience of being delegated to.
• To recognise potential barriers to delegation.
• To prepare a checklist for effective delegation.
• To identify tasks that can’t be delegated.
• To plan for delegation.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Supervisors and junior managers.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
A useful discussion based exercise that encourages participants to really think about when to delegate, why to delegate and when not to delegate.

Time:
The exercises in this module will take about 40 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 50 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To build an understanding of the purpose of performance appraisal systems.
• To identify the benefits of a good performance appraisal process.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Supervisors and above.

You'll Need:
• Post it notes and flipchart paper.

Notes:
This module assumes an appraisal process that works on a partnership basis, where objectives are agreed and where skills/behaviours are analysed in order to identify further training and development needs.

Time:
The exercises in this module can be completed in about 40 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 60 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To raise awareness of self-awareness, the first strand of emotional intelligence.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to about 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• A flipchart, pens and the handouts provided.

Notes:
This module forms part one of a two-part introduction to emotional intelligence. (Part 2 can also be used alone to explore awareness of others and empathy as a skill.)

This module (Part 1) looks at intra-personal intelligence - self-awareness - and the ability to notice and regulate or manage our own emotional state or mood.

Part 2 examines interpersonal intelligence – being able to distinguish other people’s emotions, moods and temperaments.

It is important to have an understanding of emotional intelligence and the effects of discussing it with a group of participants. You will find Mike Bagshaw’s Article in Trainers’ Library useful for this.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercises in this module can be completed in about 80 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 100 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To develop an understanding of the importance of awareness of others, the second strand of emotional intelligence.
• To allow participants to practice empathy as a skill.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to about 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This module forms Part 2 of a two-part introduction to emotional intelligence. This part examines interpersonal intelligence – being able to distinguish other people’s emotions, moods and temperaments.

Part 1 looks at intra-personal intelligence - self-awareness and the ability to notice and regulate or manage our own emotional state or mood.

This module can also be used alone, for example as part of a customer service skills course, to explore the importance and value of empathy as a skill.

Before using this module it is important to have an understanding of emotional intelligence and the effects of discussing it with a group of participants. You will find Mike Bagshaw’s Article in Trainer’s Library useful for this.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 70 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 105 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To introduce managers to the subject of employee engagement.
• To help managers begin to understand why employee engagement is central to being a successful manager.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of between 3 and 20 participants. Ideally, you'll have at least 6 participants though so that you can create 3 teams of 2 or more.

Useful For:
Participants with managerial responsibility (or those who will have imminently.)

You'll Need:
• Prepared flipcharts with simple 'cartoon' faces drawn on them - one face for each participant.
• Post-it notes.

Notes:
This exercise is designed for the start of an Employee Engagement workshop.

Before the participants arrive – create a flip chart or charts with colourful cartoon faces on. Please have enough faces so that there is one for each participant. Have these on display at the start of the exercise.

There are two parts to this exercise. It is essential that both are completed to ensure that learning is maximised.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 70 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 105 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To encourage managers to identify the factors that will make their teams feel that they value the organisation they work for and are valued in return.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of between 3 and 20 participants.

Useful For:
Participants with managerial responsibility (or those who will have imminently.)

You'll Need:
No additional materials are required but the final part of the exercise requires space for participants to move around the room.

Notes:
The exercises allow space for participants to reflect on the engagement of a team of up to 15 employees. If their team is bigger than this, encourage them to think about their best and worst performing team members.

Whilst this module can be run as a stand-alone exercise, it is most powerful when used with the other exercises in the Employee Engagement series. This complete course can be run in one day or in 4 bite-sized sessions.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 50 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 80 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To explore the role that managers’ behaviours play in employee engagement.
• To identify the behaviours that lead to more engaged teams.
• To consider the impact this has on success.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of between 3 and 20 participants.

Useful For:
Participants with managerial responsibility (or those who will have imminently).

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 45 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 60 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To explore how engaged participants are currently feeling at work.
• To create an action plan for the workplace that will improve employee engagement.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Work-based teams.

You'll Need:
• The 10 Engaging Behaviours posters (Handout provided). 20 red counters (or similar) and 20 green counters for each participant. (We’ve provided a template should you wish to use paper counters.)
• An envelope for each poster. (We recommend numbering these to make it easier to keep the poster and correct envelope together.)

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
This exercise will take about 45 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 60 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To explore the differences between bullying behaviour and that of firm management.
• To understand the impact of organisational culture and norms on managers' behaviour.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants.

Useful For:
Supervisors and team leaders.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
Different countries have different definitions of workplace bullying. You will find it helpful to check for yourself the current definition and any legislation or best practice guidelines applicable to your country and to have these available to share with your participants.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 35 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 50 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To introduce (or remind participants of) SMART objectives.
• To give participants the opportunity to practice writing SMART objectives.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of between up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This module can be used to introduce SMART for participants who have not encountered the acronym before, or as a refresher for those who have.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 60 minutes (including the time required to view the training video). In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 80 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To enable participants to notice examples of unhelpful feedback, both positive and negative in the film clips.
• To encourage participants to adopt helpful feedback in their own dealings with staff.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to about 20 participants, split into smaller teams, as long as suitable projection facilities are available to give everyone a clear view of the training video.

Useful For:
Managers at all levels, supervisors and team leaders.

You'll Need:
• A computer and a means of connecting to a screen.

Notes:
We recommend showing each clip of film in turn and drawing out the learning points. There is a further activity to relate the learning to participants’ own work situations.

Please note that these are the trainer notes that accompany the Trainers' Library video 'Giving Feedback', exclusively available to customers with an Essential, Pro or Enterprise membership.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 20 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To demonstrate a link between self-belief and results.
• To encourage participants to consider the impact positivity has on their own performance and the performance of others.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 15 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• A syndicate room, or separate area in which Team 1 can work.
• A pack of 54 ‘Filing Frenzy’ cards for each team.
• A stopwatch/timer.
• You might like to use a bell or whistle to announce the start/end of the exercise.

Notes:
This exercise may not be suitable for participants who are colour blind or visually impaired. However, in most cases anyone who falls into this category can still be involved. Ask them to observe/listen to the teams during the exercise, identifying effective and less effective behaviours in order to provide constructive feedback afterwards.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 45 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 75 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• Understand the difference between leadership and management and the importance of both.
• To identify ways that participants can lead and manage their most important team members.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to about 25 participants.

Useful For:
Participants with current (or imminent) managerial responsibility.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This exercise is a great way to open up a workshop about leadership. It removes the need for the more traditional participant introductions and enables you to observe the participants in action and explore their priorities and attitudes to managing people.

You can run this exercise with a range of team sizes, with between 4 and 8 players in each team. Please select the correct Clue Card pack based on the number in the team. Choose the team sizes that work for you. For example, with a group of 15, the exercise can be run with 3 teams of 5 or 2 teams, one of 7 and the other 8.

Time:
The exercise in this module will take about 10 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 30 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To identify the key 'don't' when using counselling skills at work.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of almost any size.

Useful For:
Managers.

You'll Need:
• Glue or double sided sticky tape.

Time:
The exercises in this module will take about 30 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 60 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To build an understanding of the characteristics and differences between constructive feedback, praise and criticism.
• To explain the importance of constructive feedback.
• To build awareness of "good practice" guidelines for providing constructive feedback.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants.

Useful For:
Supervisors and first time managers.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Endorsed by The National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers, NASBTT.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercises in this module will take about 45 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 65 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To provide participants with a way of understanding behaviour and improving communication.
• To provide a very basic introduction to transactional analysis.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff up to junior managers.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This module is intended to provide a very simple introduction to transactional analysis, a theory developed by Eric Berne in the 1950s. If you are not familiar with transactional analysis you will need to read through all the notes carefully plus the additional material in the handout.

Go through the exercises on your own first so that you can see the rationale. If you have time, try to observe the different types "in play" in your own interactions with people.

Endorsed by The National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers, NASBTT.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 50 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 75 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To identify where resilience comes from and what makes people resilient.
• To understand how and why different people have different levels of resilience.
• To introduce six keys to personal resilience.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff and managers at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Coloured post-it notes.
• A set of six cut-keys and labels (from the template provided) for each team.
• String and blu-tack.
• Enough clear wall space for each team within the group to be able to put up, and move around, lots of post-it notes.

Notes:
This module can be used as a stand-alone module but is also a great way to introduce various topics that you might want to go on to explore in greater detail. It helps participants understand the wide range of factors that can influence an individual’s levels of resilience.

If you are going to move on to look at the six keys to personal resilience in greater detail then you may wish to leave out the final exercise. In this case you should be able to complete the module in 60 minutes.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercises in this module will take about 30 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 45 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To explore the benefits of different approaches to developing others.
• To help participants choose the most appropriate approach for developing others in a given situation.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 15 participants.

Useful For:
Team Leaders, supervisors and managers.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This module is suitable for anyone who has responsibility for developing others in the workplace: Team leaders, supervisors or managers.

It is a useful addition to coaching skills courses and can help participants understand when a coaching approach might be appropriate and when it might not be.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
This exercise will take about 20 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 40 minutes for completion.

Aims:
• To provide participants an opportunity to review and ‘continuously’ improve their performance.
• To illustrate the importance of a continuous improvement process.
• To recognise behaviours that can get in the way of continuous improvement.

Group Size:
This activity can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Anyone.

You'll Need:
• One of each of the three Puzzle Stars and set of letters for every team in play.
• To cut out the missing letters for each of the Puzzle Stars and place each set in an envelope (or similar).
• A stopwatch or timer for each team in play.
• A small prize for the winning team (optional).

Notes:
This activity works best when participants are split into teams of 2 or 3.

There are two versions of this module – this one focuses on Continuous Improvement and the other version called ‘The Problem with Letters’ focuses on Problem Solving skills.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 25 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 40 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To explore the challenge when solving a problem where a number of people are involved, particularly when those people may have other obligations that mean they can’t give your problem their complete attention.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of almost any size. Where you have more than 12 participants, you should consider splitting your group and running two versions of the exercise separately in tandem.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• A stopwatch.

Notes:
This exercise requires a minimum of 6 participants. Where you have more than 12 participants, you should consider splitting your group and running two versions of the exercise separately in tandem.

It is important that all of the cards are distributed and that every participant has a card but some participants can receive more cards than others – in fact it’s better if they do.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 20 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 30 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To give participants an opportunity to reflect on their current skill levels as a manager and use the information to create a plan of action.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of any size.

Useful For:
Participants with managerial responsibility (or those who will have imminently).

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This exercise can work as a stand-alone exercise but is best used as a precursor or a final exercise in a longer programme for new managers.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 40 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 50 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To encourage new managers to think about which of their team members they are most worried about managing and begin to identify actions they can take to manage them effectively.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Brand new managers (or those who soon will be), and particularly those that have been promoted from within the team.

You'll Need:
• Post-it notes, glue, sellotape and Blu Tack.
• Playdough or other modelling clay.
• Large flat (plain) wooden lolly sticks.
• Colourful pipe cleaners.
• Art equipment.

Notes:
This is an introductory module or icebreaker for new managers. It is designed to build awareness of participants’ fears and concerns, gather initial ideas and explore the personal learning each participant needs to get from the training that follows.

If using this module with larger groups, more time will be needed for debriefing the exercise; alternatively, you can ask them to work in pairs during the exercise.

Time:
The exercises in this module will take about 30 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 60 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To explore what motivates us.
• To identify ways of maintaining motivation.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• A pre-prepared flipchart and coloured flipchart pens.

Notes:
For this module, you will need to pre-prepare a flipchart with a grid (an example is shown on the summary sheet of the trainer's notes).

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 40 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 60 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To encourage participants to identify an appropriate management style based on the individual they are dealing with, the role they are doing and what the team needs them to do.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Participants who have managerial responsibility (or those who will have imminently).

You'll Need:
• Post it notes and Blu-Tack.
• Lengths of string about 1 metre/3 feet long. (You’ll need two lengths for each team of 3 or 4 participants.)
• Plenty of space.

Notes:
This exercise can work as a stand-alone training exercise for new managers. It is designed to look at the role of the manager and explore suitable approaches for managing individual team members.

You will need to clear a large space (on the floor or on tables) for the main part of the exercise.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 35 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 50 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To understand the importance of setting clear performance objectives for team members.
• To understand what makes an objective SMART.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• 2 clipboards with pens for the assessors.
• 2 copies of the Assessor’s Brief, each sealed in a separate envelope.
• A copy of the handout for every participant.
• A stopwatch.

Notes:
For managers, we strongly recommend following this module with Using SMART Objectives, which will give participants an opportunity to create SMART objectives for specific members of their team.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library called Objectives - Introducing SMART.

Time:
The exercises in this module will take about 100 minutes to complete. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing 180 minutes to complete this module.

Aims:
• To define aims, goals and objectives.
• To identify the purpose of goal setting.
• To introduce a six-step model for goal setting.
• To enable participants to practise goal setting.
• To identify and discuss some tools and techniques that support setting and achieving goals.

Group Size:
This module is suitable for use with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
Although the whole module may take 3 or more hours to run, this is comprised of several smaller sessions that can, if necessary and appropriate, be separated. This module is appropriate for anyone who needs to set and achieve goals in the workplace, their career or their personal life.

You may find it helpful to work through the definitions set out in the first session and apply them to a goal of your own, so that you have a personal example to share with participants if they are a little reluctant to discuss their own goals.

Session four is a long session (2 hours) that takes participants through the goal setting process and allows time for them to define and describe in detail their goal(s). It is split into several sub-sections (linked to the stages of goal setting) for ease of use. The timing of a break is suggested but it may be taken at any time during this session, as convenient for the group.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 45 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 60 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To help participants consider the extent to which they engage in change.
• To help those involved in change consider how they could make the change journey easier for themselves, and others.
• To help those involved in a change plan.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 16 participants.

Useful For:
Anyone involved in change, either as a leader, or a follower.

You'll Need:
• A toy steering wheel for the ‘driver’ would be a fun prop, but is not essential.
• A clipboard (or A4 piece of thick card) for each participant would be useful.
• Flipchart paper and pens.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.

Time:
The exercise in this module can be completed in about 30 minutes. In total, allowing for discussion, we recommend allowing about 45 minutes for this module.

Aims:
• To consider the role goals can play in helping a positive mental attitude and resilience.
• To consider why goals can help or hinder our resilience and how to ensure our goals help us move forward positively.

Group Size:
This module can be used with groups of up to 25 participants.

Useful For:
Staff at all levels.

You'll Need:
• Nothing other than the materials provided.

Notes:
This activity encourages participants to reflect on a personal goal. It’s important therefore that their right to privacy is respected and that participants are invited rather than asked to share their thoughts, insights and ideas.

Remote/Virtual Delivery:
There is a Remote Delivery version of this module available in Trainers’ Library.