In other words, it provides the foundation for success in a management role.
In addition to understanding the scope of their roles and responsibilities, managers need to be able to gain an objective assessment of their own strengths, limitations, aspirations, insecurities and personal preferences in light of these roles and responsibilities.
There are no standard approaches to self-assessment in the Victorian public sector. However, 360 or 180 degree feedback processes are common. Personality tests (such as the Myers-Briggs Personality Test) and team profiling tests are also used within public sector organisations, especially as part of team-building or change initiatives.
After gaining an objective insight into themselves, managers need to be able to act upon this information, taking steps to address their strengths, limitations, needs and anxieties.
Strengthening the ability to plan for, and ensure the success of, development activities is an important management skill. So too is the ability to situate current experiences within a longer career plan and to ensure a transition from one role, situation or environment to another. These topics are all included in the following checklist.
What should a development activity cover?
The checklist that follows outlines the core content that development activities focusing on this subject area ought to cover in order to build the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for success in any Victorian public sector management role.
Accompanying the checklist is a list of resources. Use of these resources in the design and delivery of a development activity will help build knowledge, skills and behaviours that are of immediate and clear value in any management role in the Victorian public sector.
Some of these resources describe specific knowledge, skills or behaviours, while others provide information about the context in which Victorian public sector managers operate. In most cases, the resources do not address the topic in full. Additional material will still be required to provide comprehensive development in the relevant content area.
Most resources listed are freely available as downloads from the websites indicated.
Core Content / Resources
Establishing the Content
Understanding:
- The importance of a manager understanding and developing themselves
- The typical roles and responsibilities of a manager in the Victorian public sector, and the capabilities required to succeed in a management role (for example, being proactive).
Resources
- Victorian Public Sector Commission, Great Manager, Great Results resource materials
- Public Sector Standards Commissioner, Leading the Way
- Organisational capability frameworks and role descriptions
Understanding Yourself
Techniques for assessing your own personality, strengths, limitations, aspirations, needs, anxieties and preferred ways of working.
Resources
- Personality and skill assessment tools may be of value here, especially those with a 360 or 180 degree emphasis.
Understanding Effective Self-Development and Continuous Growth
Techniques for:
- Analysing development needs, identifying appropriate development activities and applying new knowledge, skills and behaviours in the workplace
- Creating and acting upon a career plan.
Resources
- Victorian Public Sector Commission, Great Manager, Great Results: Self Assessment Development Planning Template for Victorian Public Sector Managers
- Information about career planning available from http://careers.vic.gov.au/
Understanding Effective Transitions
Strategies an actions for:
- Preparing to move into a new role
- Building performance within the first 90 days in a role.
Resources
- Victorian Public Sector Commission, Welcome to Management