Unit Manager Review

I lead a team of approx 60 people, focuing on Health & Safety, legal compliance, customer service and commercial running of a store. I am responsible for the development of my team, for communicating company strategy and ensuring customers recieve the best service offer available to them. I run meetings, review performance and contribute into a regional network.

My apprenticeship has been focused on coaching. I have learnt alot of how to coach, specifically how to question people to help them think for themselves. I have learnt alot about the psychology of leadership and why people react the way they do or what influences their decisions. I have also learnt how to spot the barriers which hold people back.

I have enjoyed learning about coaching, and the science/theory behind it. I have enjoyed learning about myself as I apply reflective practice to my day to day job. I have enjoyed meeting like minded people and growing my netowkr of professional contacts either within my own company or externally.

I have enjoyed the fact that we had structured webinars on a regular basis. These where short so allowed me to plan them into my busy working working week. Meetings with my trainer are always planned well in advance, which allows me to plan. I always knew exactly what was expected of me.

My line manager has encouraged me throughout this process. As I am self led in this role, it has been upon my own discretion, in terms of how much time and energy I place into this program. However, my successes have been recognised and encouraged through reviews and sharing within my peer group.

[This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] is always on hand to answer any questions. She has provided me with extra reading when she saw I was struggling with a concept and has a great way of explaining things with real worked examples so that connections are more easily made and learning retained. She is also very encouraging when feeding back on work submitted.

By better understanding the psychology that links with leadership and coaching, I can apply this learning to my day to day interactions with my team. It has helped me to encourage them to think for themselves, make their own decisions and empower them, rather than spoon feed the answers. An empowered workforce is generally more productive.

As a peer group we often hold social events and charity functions which are extra-curricular. As a store group we also hold the same events and functions. As a company we will hold a conference once a year which is a great networking event, and often as unit managers we are encouraged to get involved with company projects outside of our won remit.

Yes

I have worked for B&Q my entire adult life, and can't imagine working anywhere else. Throughout my 19yrs I have had the opportunity to make use of so many different development programs and have progressed through many career levels. I have always felt that the sky was the limit. B&Q is also very focused on D&I which I think is an important step change, and wellbeing of colleagues.

Be yourself. B&Q is so diverse, and we encourage people to be their true selves when in work. You need to be a team player, who is curious about how to make improvements. Don;t be afraid to admit mistakes, just demonstrate what you have learned from that experience and how you would do things differently going forward.