There is no better way for managers to enhance their effectiveness at managing than by successfully directing one's own personal production. The techniques and insights presented with the exercises focus participants on the specific needs unique to the individual in this dual role. This module outlines the characteristics that have helped managers grow their own business, as well as the business of agents who support them in the growth of the agency. New, Developing and Existing managers will benefit from the insights of managers that have developed successful agents and managers for an average of 35 years. The first concept of identifying one's strengths and weaknesses is just one of a variety of insights that all managers can benefit from in seeing how to develop themselves and the agents with whom they work.
Management skills are leadership skills.
The most successful agency managers usually are those most trusted by their agency force because the agents believe that these managers care first and foremost about their agents' success. The unique relationship between agent and agency manager is most profitable when the manager is not the agent's best friend, but instead, tells the agent what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. This difficult concept is presented and examined carefully throughout this module. The exercises in this module involve the current communication systems employed by the participant, as well as the culture that supports these communication systems. These exercises include the evaluations of morale, drive and spirit within the current agency structure.