New Map Offers Paths To Professional Growth

UC employees who are aspiring or new managers now have two MAPS available to guide them on the path to professional development. In addition to "MAP-UC," which has been offered since January 2001, there is a new "MAP-Excel," which zeroes in on assessing and developing 12 managerial abilities that you may need to get ahead or improve your performance in the workplace.

The first MAP - the Management Advancement Program (MAP-UC) focuses on things you need to know about UC to be successful. The second, new MAP - Managerial Assessment of Proficiency/Managing to Excel - (MAP-Excel) assesses your competency in 12 areas, helps you to identify those you wish to strengthen and offers specific follow-up training in each one.

"For the new program, you really have to be pretty serious about wanting to diagnose and develop your management skills," says Nancy Hanseman, director of Organizational Development and Training (OD&T). "It's the difference between going to the medicine cabinet and taking just any pill that might help you get better versus going to the doctor and finding out what you specifically need."

The new MAP-Excel program begins with two half-day seminars, which are limited to 16 persons. The first two, scheduled for December 2002 and February 2003, are already full. These sessions will be presented again in late spring and an additional two-three times in 2003. Merianne Cardas, OD&T program manager, is the presenter. Special sessions for groups can also be arranged.

Participants must attend two half-day sessions - the Managerial Assessment of Proficiency - about seven to 12 days apart, Cardas said. The first segment - the actual assessment - is intensive and lasts four-plus hours. In response to a video presenting simulated management situations, participants answer 266 true and false questions. Answer sheets are collected, sent to Training House Inc. to be scored and compiled into a Proficiency Profile to be focused on in the second session. The 12 areas of assessment are:

• Time management and prioritizing
• Setting goals and standards
• Planning and scheduling work
• Identifying and solving problems
• Making decisions, weighing risks
• Thinking clearly and analytically
• Listening and organizing
• Giving clear information
• Getting unbiased information
• Training, coaching and delegating
• Appraising People and performance
• Discipline and counseling

In the second half-day session, the focus is on feedback and planning. Participants receive the confidential Proficiency Profile that resulted from the first session, interpret it and begin to complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP). This half-day segment analyzes results and allows participants to plan for growth in the major areas identified for further development.

Following the two MAP half-days, participants are encouraged to attend any or all of 12 Excel programs focusing on the competencies measured in the assessment. Each Excel session is a half-day of training and skill building. These segments can be taken in any order and will be offered on an ongoing basis. At this time, MAP is a prerequisite for the Excel sessions.

You may be an appropriate candidate for MAP-Excel if you're at any level of management from front-line supervisor to director or above, an aspiring manager, or a professional staff member who manages projects, Cardas suggests. "You are strongly encouraged to share your Individual Development Plan with your manager, although the Proficiency Profile is an individual's personal property and remains confidential."

Cost is $100 for the two half-day sessions (including box lunches). Cost of each Excel training session is $20 (not including lunch).

For more information, contact Cardas at (513) 556-4613 or check for future sessions in the OD&T flyers and the online registration site for OD&T.