MBiz

16 MBiz | november 2015 skiLLs ConneCt inC. C anadian companies continue to be challenged by a variety of factors, including skills mismatches and labour shortages, competition for wages, succession planning and industry- specific changes. They are being challenged to react, adapt and lead on an ever-changing internal and external stage. Being responsive to the needs of the changing workforce landscape has become second nature to Manitoba-based Skills Connect Inc., which has recently added a number of programs and services to help Canadian companies leverage team performance through recruitment and workforce development. In the race for profits, companies tend to focus attention and resources on processes, technology and environmental factors to secure their competitive advantage — often at the expense of the human component of their organization. For the most complete and truest organizational success, attention must be paid to the living breathing people who comprise the workforce as leaders and as employees. "While good governance, leadership and eliciting high team performance are critical to an organization's success — sometimes organizations need a fresh perspective for growth and development," says Sue Barkman, president and CEO, Skills Connect Inc. and ThirdQuarter. "That's where the team at Skills Connect can help pave the way forward." Creating and building effective teams — or getting the "people" component right — is one of the biggest challenges facing business owners. Leaders are tasked with the best way to harness the unique blend of personalities, operational styles, socio- economic backgrounds, education levels and expectations found in their workplace. Many refer to this as "fit." But how do organizations create fit? "From our experience, organizations need to take a holistic approach to their workforce development. It's not one person, department or product that is solely responsible for an organization's success or lack thereof," explains Sue Barkman. "Understanding each member of the team's personal operating style and how they can excel as a leadership group is essential to your company's success. We need to look at how all elements impact each other." One of the fundamental keys to workforce development is "versagility" – the mental ability to shift quickly and effectively from one type of thinking to another, to adapt, respond and deal effectively with changing demands, tasks, people and opportunities. Critical thinking, collaboration, communication, problem- solving, initiative and accountability are essential workplace skills. Having these skills allows for better career transition, career advancement and success in goal achievement. The composition of today's workplace requires organizations to look beyond traditional leadership and management practices. "Companies and organizations need to pay attention to how leadership development impacts team and company performance," adds Michael McMullen, Workforce Development Associate, Skills Connect Inc. "Organizations need to consider that what got us here … isn't going to get us to (the next level)." A team's openness in the assessment of its own functioning can lead to a very high level of trust and performance. "By clarifying expectations and diagnosing weaknesses, we can bring concerns into the open and address these issues. All of these activities are critical factors in the development and growth of an effective, empowered team," adds Sue Barkman. Workplaces require leaders who can transition people to excel, to make decisions and hold themselves capable while providing growth and development opportunities. To do this effectively, the successful leaders of today need to have coaching competencies. Leaders with coaching skills gain influence. As they shift into the role of coach, they develop the framework to enhance the skills of others, improve communication and critical thinking, the ability to adapt to change, to be accountable and to better access their own resourcefulness to elicit high performance. "Leaders need to understand who they are, their operating style and how effective they are. Then they can launch themselves, and ultimately launch their teams to achieve and transcend organizational visions," explains Janice Gair, Executive Coach and Associate, Skills Connect Inc. ■ Cultivating Successful and Effective Workplaces ThirdQuarter is a division of Skills Connect Inc. which is a partner of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. For more information about recruitment and workforce development solutions please go to www.thirdquarter.ca or www.hire-experience.ca workforce solutions for the smart enterprise

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