Psychological Associates

Case Study: Assessment and Development
A Large Retail Products Manufacturer

ISSUE

When our client acquired another firm, top management decided that for the two organizations to work together successfully, it was important to be proactive in developing a common management culture for the new configuration in order to promote a more collaborative and productive environment.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES’
SOLUTION

The program we developed began as an audit of top management talent. This included extensive assessment, using both standard and our own proprietary measurements. From the assessment, it was determined that to promote a new, blended leadership culture, it would be productive to provide a common, intensive experience that would underscore a new era. As an additional benefit, our Ph.D. psychologists provided individual feedback and coaching for optimizing executives’ strengths.

We developed a three-day program conducted with groups of about 40 executives at a time. It was held at an off-site location to provide an immersion experience for enabling more constructive communication throughout the new organization and for honing collaborative skills. No cell phones were allowed.

Our team of psychologists and trainers conducted a leadership program in which emerging leaders and officers from both divisions were organized into teams for development activities, including real-life cases. Managers brought a difficult conversation they needed to have and wanted help in strategizing. They practiced the cases within their teams, using our core of collaborative skills and tools.

Team members provided feedback and advice. Each team also had a presentation to develop and deliver at the end of the session directly related to strategic business issues at the company. These processes helped build camaraderie.

Top management was committed to this program. The CEO spoke at every session, sharing ideas and engaging in dialogue with each team during their final presentations.

OUTCOMES

A total of about 500 managers from the top down took part in these sessions, held each month. Most felt the immersion experience was worthwhile in achieving the goal of advancing leadership and collaboration in the new organization. The client was very pleased with this part of its leadership development program. Participants followed through on their real-life cases, employing their newly learned skills in discussions that put their collaborative skills into action. A majority were successful in their efforts.