Line Manager training

Tim? He seems more interested in what Maria has to say than actually doing any work. You know Tim though, he's so easily distracted, especially if it gets him out of doing any work for a moment! I've just been getting on with things or we'll fall behind. === Yes, I can see that. But why have you let Maria go off doing her own thing? You're meant to be looking after her and showing her what to do. I'll deal with Tim - can you stick to the plan please and get Maria back on track? [[1]] == Trish, why didn't you come to me with this problem? You know to raise anything like this with me. I can see the impact, so I'm not happy. Tell me what you think needs to happen with Maria - leave Tim to me. [[2]]

Stick to the plan? Maria doesn't listen to plans! She keeps talking about her old place and how they worked and how it was smarter. And I've told Tim more than once to get on with his own work. === OK. I didn't realise. But Trish, you know you're my eyes and ears on the ground! I'd expect you to come to me sooner if you were having trouble. What's up? [[1a]] == OK, well we're really falling behind now, so we need to do something to get back on track. You've seen this unfold - what do you think we should do? [[1b]] == Trish I know you're trying, but I'm going to step in. I don't know quite what's going on, but I think I need to intervene and get us back on track. Thanks. [[1c]]

I'm just at a loss - Tim's so wrapped up in listening to Maria, I think he's forgotten he has a job to do. I'm trying to pick up the pieces so we don't fall behind any more! === That doesn't sound good. Why didn't you say something? [[1f]] == I know I can count on you, Trish, so perhaps you could try talking to them again? Just one thing though, go easy on Tim, he seems a little down lately. [[1d]]

Well yes I have...I think we should move Tim to work on something else so Maria can't distract him. You know he loves any excuse to talk! === OK - I'll speak to Tim then and get him re-focused. Are you alright explaining this to Maria if I speak with Tim? [[1e]] == Great - good idea. And if Maria keeps derailing your progress, please come and see me, so I can speak to her privately. [[2f]]

No, it's OK, I can handle it! I just need Tim to get on with his stuff and stop talking to Maria and I'll be clear with Maria around what we need to achieve today. === OK - can you do that? Thanks Trish. I know I can count on you! Just one thing though, go easy on Tim, he seems a little down lately. [[1d]]

I know - he's told me what's going on but that doesn't excuse his work. He's just so laid back it's like time doesn't matter to him! I'll be careful what I say. === OK - don't be long though...I know you have catching up to do. [[terminate1]]

Of course I am - I'm glad you trust me with this responsibility. You deal with Tim first and I can step in afterwards. === Yes, leave Tim with me. [[terminate3]]

I've just prioritised keeping on top of things - if I stop to find you or manage them, we're another person down! === OK. Leave it with me. [[terminate2]]

Actually I thought this was my problem to resolve, I was just thinking how to do it. And I'll be honest, I don't want to fall behind, so I left them to it. === Well I'm sorry if it wasn't clear, but you should raise things like this with me immediately. Anyway, let's re-focus...I'll speak with Tim, you concentrate on Maria, or I could deal with both if you want to get on with things? [[2a]] == You know I'm here for you if you need to raise anything and need support. You get on - I'll deal with them and from now on, I'll oversee Maria. [[2b]] == OK - so we know the problem, what's the solution? Tell me what you're going to do. [[2c]]

Well I want to prove I can handle overseeing Maria while she settles in, so can I speak to her and get her re-focused? She could come and work with me, and this time I'll keep her on-task! === Thanks Trish, that's a good idea. I'm glad you're not giving up! Please come to me in future - we can just work through these things together, and it'll solve problems faster. [[2d]] == Great - good idea. And if Maria keeps derailing your progress, please come and see me, so I can speak to her privately. [[2f]]

Oh, but I was quite enjoying the challenge! I've got a lot to share and I know how it feels to be new. Maybe you could tell me how to do it better so I can get it right next time? === Yes, one for the future - but for now I'll handle it so it's solved quickly. Thanks Trish - I'm not saying you couldn't do this - it's just time's not on our side at the moment! [[2e]]

Let me think...perhaps you could speak to Tim, get him back on track, and I can speak to Maria...she can come and work with me and I'll talk her through how we do things, to make sure that's perfectly clear. What do you think? === Great - good idea. And if Maria keeps derailing your progress, please come and see me, so I can speak to her privately. [[2f]] == I think for now I'll handle it so it's solved quickly. Thanks Trish - I'm not saying you couldn't do this - it's just time's not on our side at the moment! [[2e]]

I know, sorry I didn't do that. I just thought I could cover and pick up the work. === Well, we all know better in the future, don't we? You doing the work of three people is not sustainable. [[terminate9]]

OK, that's a shame. Sorry I let you down. === It's OK - it's just bad timing...leave it with me. [[terminate8]]

Good plan - I'm happy with that. === Nice one Trish - well-resolved! Keep on top of it now, OK? [[terminate7]]

You're watching the team work. Maria's working with Tim, and seems to be instructing him. He's watching and listening, but not doing any work. Trish was meant to be looking after her. Maria's doing her own thing, and seems to be distracting Tim. This isn't what you had in mind… === Trish, can I borrow you for two minutes? I just want to talk about Tim. [[0]]

Your quick response to Tim's distraction by Maria's ideas is appreciated, though Trish is quick to make clear that she's in control. But it seems that this may not be the case - she's lost control and given up - and while she promises to resolve it and you're confident she can, you need to keep an eye on the situation. Trish has held back from asking for help - is there a reason for this? At a convenient time, it's worth reflecting on how you nurture a psychologically safe space for her to approach you for support. While it resolved the issue temporarily, it's important to encourage Trish to address such situations herself, proactively. Foster an environment where team members take ownership of their tasks and collaborate effectively. Empower Trish to guide her team while promoting independent problem-solving.

Trish hasn't prioritised properly here, or maybe something else has stopped her raising this problem with you...either way, there's a lack of clarity for her about what to do in this situation. Perhaps you were unclear in setting expectations when you gave her responsibility for overseeing Maria? Trish has held back from asking for help - is there a reason for this? At a convenient time, it's worth reflecting on how you nurture a psychologically safe space for her to approach you for support. You're right to recognise that Trish has lost control and given up on solving the problem, but is it fair that it was all on her to identify and respond to it? She might wonder where the support was. You needed to make clear your expectations - and if it was for Trish to lead on alone, you need to proactively foster an environment where team members take ownership of their tasks and collaborate effectively. You could use this situation as a powerful lesson, for both of you, and re-set your relationship with Trish with some clear expectations and support that enables her progress.

You did the right thing inviting Trish to lead on what action to take - you're encouraging her sense of accountability and she's responding well to that. Let's hope this plan of action works! You're at least going into it with clarity - good work! Keep encouraging this collaborative approach to problem-solving - it gives Trish a voice and in time, you can encourage her to address such situations herself, proactively. Foster an environment where team members take ownership of their tasks and collaborate effectively. Empower Trish to build her confidence in independent problem-solving.

You did really well to enable Trish to lead the decision-making here. She's greatly empowered by that and it really strengthens her trust in you and your collaborative relationship. You've left with a clear plan and a plan B - good work - and Trish initiated it all! Just consider what might have stopped her raising this problem with you. Perhaps you were unclear in setting expectations when you gave her responsibility for overseeing Maria? At a convenient time, it's worth reflecting on how you nurture a psychologically safe space for her to approach you for support. Use this situation - and any 'mistakes' in the future - as a powerful lesson, for both of you, reflecting on how well you did in creating clear expectations to enable progress and growth.

It's a real shame you missed the chance to enable Trish to lead the decision-making here. She would have been greatly empowered by that and it would have strengthened her trust in you and your collaborative relationship. You've left her feeling like she's really failed. Just consider what might have stopped her raising this problem with you in the first place. Perhaps you were unclear in setting expectations when you gave her responsibility for overseeing Maria? At a convenient time, it's worth reflecting on how you nurture a psychologically safe space for her to approach you for support. Use this situation - and any 'mistakes' in the future - as a powerful lesson, for both of you, reflecting on how well you did in creating clear expectations to enable progress and growth. Following up in this situation is vital - Trish will feel upset about letting you down, and pressed for time or not you'll need to re-set your relationship with her, creating clear expectations for the future and showing your faith in her to grow.

Trish's attempt to compensate for Tim and Maria's behaviour demonstrates her dedication, but you're right - it's not sustainable. So you did well to enable Trish to lead the decision-making here. She's greatly empowered by that and it really strengthens her trust in you and your collaborative relationship. You've left with a clear plan and Trish initiated it all - good work. She really responded to you showing faith in her. Just consider what might have stopped her raising this problem with you. Perhaps you were unclear in setting expectations when you gave her responsibility for overseeing Maria? At a convenient time, it's worth reflecting on how you nurture a psychologically safe space for her to approach you for support. Use this situation - and any 'mistakes' in the future - as a powerful lesson, for both of you, reflecting on how well you did in creating clear expectations to enable progress and growth. She knows you support her progress now, so keep it up!