General Guidance – Control

Think about the ways in which you provide staff with opportunities to influence what they do and how they do it.

Give employees responsibility and monitor their work with sensitivity and discretion. Ensure staff know what is expected of them and are clear about objectives, respective roles, timescales, available resources and support, and the way in which progress will be measured. Provide guidance rather than direction whenever possible.

Communicate changes to agreed arrangements quickly and clearly – check that everyone understands the revised arrangements

Respect different styles of working– avoid being overly prescriptive about small detail. Agree systems to enable staff to have a say over the way in which their work is organised and undertaken e.g. meetings, one-to ones, professional review and development meetings

Encourage the use of initiative, and support staff who are keen to try new and alternative ways of working

Encourage staff to air and share views. Provide a range of opportunities for doing this e.g. meetings, bulletin boards, staff workshops and listen attentively to all contributions

Encourage staff to participate in decision making and facilitate this through co-operative meetings and collegiate working.

Talk to staff about decision making. Ensure they know when they will be consulted and when decisions will made single-handedly by management.

Provide coaching and mentoring opportunities for staff

Take an interest in career development and support staff with training and development opportunities.

Encourage staff to develop new skills and provide opportunities for them to apply these.

Enrich jobs by giving staff opportunities to make use of their strengths.