Management sparring example

When are you, as a manager, in need of sparring? Always. As a manager, you are often exposed to situations where it would be beneficial to speak to someone about the decisions and challenges involved. If you are lucky, you are part of a functional and effective management team, where you can lean on and use one another. Many, however, often find themselves alone in times where decisions need to be made. This is not unusual – in fact, it is a part of the job, but it may help to seek professional consult when making managerial decisions, as is often done in situations concerning business, production, and operations.

Psychological management sparring cannot replace a functional management team or the dialogue between a manager and superior, but it will provide the opportunity to draw on knowledge within organizational psychology, HR, and management.  

It may range from everyday situations to larger events; examples are provided below:

• Employee satisfaction/dissatisfaction
• Health and well-being / Employees with health issues
• Recurring or unresolved conflicts 
• Stress or symptoms of being overworked at individual or group levels
• Performance 
• Situations involving recruitment, retention, or termination
• Organisational changes and development 
• Cultural challenges  

The primary focus for most would, most likely, be the personal management sparring, where you have the opportunity to discuss yourself, personal challenges, and blind spots with a specialist providing their insight, in a confidential space.  

An elaborate or extraneous approach is not necessary – perhaps all you require is help for a smaller obstacle, or wish to avoid situations that tend to repeat themselves.  

Management sparring does not provide the perfect solution to every problem but is an offer of a structured dialogue, focusing on what you require to make decisions and take action.