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Operational Coaching® Improves Management Effectiveness at University of Warwick

As part of their 2030 people strategy, University of Warwick, one of Europe’s top 20 universities, is rolling out the scientifically proven STAR® Manager programme to all 2,500 leaders and managers across the University to embed an Operational Coaching® style of management.

Ahead of the main launch, they ran a pilot for 120 leaders and managers, and within the first year, it has already delivered a significant return on investment (RoI) – a figure that continues to grow weekly.

Listen to Anna Chapman, Head of Leadership Development at University of Warwick, share in her own words the results of the pilot and the wider impact Operational Coaching® is having.

University of Warwick ran an initial pilot for 120 leaders and managers and found it delivered:

  • 113% increase in the time they spent coaching others in the flow of work
  • 24% increase in the time they spent leading
  • 22% improvement across nine management competencies measured
  • 900% RoI

In addition, 100% of managers who completed the programme reported that they now use an enquiry-led approach as part of their management style, and 97% believe they’re better managers and have won time back to invest in higher-value work.

Watch Tim, Katie and Carl Share Their Personal Experiences

The Commercial Director at University of Warwick, emphasised the strategic importance of this commitment: “In a time when organisations need to retain talent, our investment in management training underscores the value we place on our people.”

“Great managers inspire and support their teams, and by developing these skills across our leadership, we’re investing directly in the success of every staff member and, ultimately, in the success of the University itself.”

Anna Chapman, Head of Leadership Development at University of Warwick, said: “STAR® Manager is allowing us to take a transformational, scalable approach to management development, empowering our leaders to collaborate with their teams.

It recognises the power of coaching and will enable us to embed coaching behaviours across managers and leaders at all levels to underpin an Operational Coaching® style of management.

Following a successful pilot, we’ve seen our managers develop the confidence and ability to encourage performance improvement in their direct reports, provide constructive feedback, hold challenging conversations with positive outcomes, listen effectively and reclaim time to spend on more impactful activities – all by learning to incorporate coaching-related behaviours into their day-to-day management style.

I’m delighted to introduce Operational Coaching® across the University, working with Notion to certify all 2,500 managers and leaders over the next five years.”

Personal impacts shared in the words of managers on the programme

The training has enabled me to save a lot of time because I can now rely on my staff to make decisions for themselves rather then asking me basic questions they probably already know themselves; it’s definitely given them more confidence.I’m finding I have more time to concentrate on other tasks I need to do.
Ranjit Puwar
Business Development Manager
I listen more and have become more aware of other peoples abilities. It has enabled me to become a more confident manager and to change my style of leadership for the better and delegate more. The team now ask fewer questions and are coming up with answers to any problems that may arise.
Jan Wastell
Team Leader
I feel that the STAR® journey has not only helped me become a better more efficient manager, it has also also allowed me to build better and more trusting relationships with staff members as I have encouraged them to make their own decisions and helped coached them into this.
Jade
This has been one of the most beneficial management courses I've ever taken, due to its practical applicability and results tracking.
Jonathan Crowley
Head of Strategic Vendors
I would say that it's the only programme that has given me the elixir of working life - time!
University Librarian
This enabled me to be a more active listener and realise the potential of all people, and use both the strengths and weaknesses within my team.
Tim Egginton
Head Chef
The STAR® programme helps develop questioning and listening skills in order to coach others. This results in gaining more time back and improving working relationships with colleagues - well worth completing.
Mark Hughes
Business Analyst
The STAR® model has impacted my working life considerably, I feel I now have the confidence to coach others in an operational environment and help to empower colleagues to unlock and fulfil their full potential.
Head of Sports Operations
STAR® has taught me to be more confident in those coaching conversations, as most of the time they are the most direct way to improve my own development as well as those around me.
Jessica Jelley
Acquatics Manager
Gave me techniques to be able to improve my conversations to all areas of my life. It's helped me manage my team better and it opens up conversations instead of closing it straight away.
Service Desk Team Leader
It’s helped to create more effective working relationships, and I’m now able to effect change in ways that bring the team with me.
Anonymous
My 'doing' has decreased because team members now come to me mostly with ready solutions rather than problems. Often they also 'do' independently without needing my steer.
Anonymous
It’s given me more time back and has allowed my team to grow in confidence. We’ve seen an upturn in the results the team have achieved
Become a far more effective manager. It helps simplify what I previously thought were complicated and very difficult issues. I wasn't a very effective line manager and now I feel I am.
The programme enabled me to be a more active listener and realise the potential of all people and use both the strengths and weaknesses within my team.
Tim Egginton
Head Chef

The programme is also achieving external recognition

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