Lead 520: Leadership Coaching

Leadership Development Plan

Ben Byo

Growing up in Wooster, OH I quickly recognized the respect and admiration the

community gave to the associates of Rubbermaid. Rubbermaid was founded in Wooster

and during the 1980’s was one of Fortune 500’s most admired companies. Seeing this

respect made my decision to pursue a business related career fairly easy when I went to

college. After obtaining my bachelor’s degree I was fortunate enough to be hired by

Rubbermaid in 2001. Over the past eight years the company (Newell-Rubbermaid) has

provided me with opportunities that would take many people twice as long to experience.

Today, I’m the Production Inventory Control and Distribution Manager for Newell-

Rubbermaid’s largest manufacturing facility in Winfield, KS. My five-year career goal is

to obtain a Vice President position within Newell-Rubbermaid. Based on the experience

and feedback I’ve received thus far in my career I feel this is an attainable goal that will

prepare me for my career goal of being the president of a large corporation. The

following leadership development plan has been developed to help guide me towards

achieving these goals.

My two-year plan for education and training includes the following:

A. Obtain Master’s of Science in Management from Southwestern College

a. While not a requirement a Master’s level degree is highly recommended for consideration of a Vice President position. Currently I’m twelve months into the twenty month program offered by Southwestern College.

b. The Master’s of Science in Management provides an education hybrid between the Master’s of Science in Leadership and Master’s of Business Administration: two degree’s that would be beneficial as my career progresses.

B. Obtain Professional Certifications

a. These professional certifications are widely respected within the supply chain field. These certifications would sharpen my knowledge of my specific field while, more importantly, providing me with an extended professional network. This network would provide me with additional resources that I can utilize when I’m in need of unbiased professional feedback.

i. Association for Operations Management (APICS) Certified Supply Chain Professional

ii. Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Certified Professional in Supply Management

C. Company Sponsored Training Courses

a. In an effort to continually develop internal leaders Newell-Rubbermaid has created a number of leadership courses. These courses provide developmental knowledge in a familiar setting using materials that are specific to the Newell-Rubbermaid business.

i. Situational Leadershipii. Operational Excellence

iii. Working in a Global Matrixiv. Safety Excellence and Leadership

My two-year plan for being mentored includes the following:

A. Find a mentor who can serve as both a coach and a teacher.

a. As discussed in the following section, my next promotion will likely give me responsibility for all plant activities. With this in mind my development requires a mentor that can help me in refining my leadership skills while also helping me gain a baseline understanding of the aspects of business in which I lack experience.

B. Identify my needs in a mentor.

a. Similar leadership style

i. At this point in my career it is unlikely that I will make significant changes to my leadership style. With that in mind I feel having a mentor who can help me focus on my strengths would be most appropriate.

b. Motivator and sounding board

i. My two-year plan for education and training is fairly aggressive. Having someone who can keep me motivated is critical. Also having someone I can use as a sounding board and prevent frustration when I’m faced with specific challenges would be important to keep my focused on the end goal.

c. Experience in technical skills, six sigma science, and finance

i. My experience to date is limited in these specific fields but a plant managers role would require, at a minimum, a baseline understanding. Having a mentor who can educate me on finance, technical attributes, and six sigma science would be a major benefit in my development.

C. My current supervisor has agreed to be my immediate mentor

a. This individual currently holds the position of Plant Manager for our Winfield manufacturing facility so he has experience in the role I’m pursuing.

b. His previous role was the Technical Manager responsible for our technical staff and engineers so he can help me with my limited understanding of the technical aspects of the business and six sigma science.

c. My career path seems to be following his from an education and training perspective which gives him the experience to help me stay motivated. After all, he’s been there and knows what it takes.

d. Some may frown on using my immediate supervisor as a sounding board but I trust my supervisor 100% and would be comfortable going to him with any challenge I’m facing; work related, education related, or even a challenge related to him specifically.

D. 360-degree feedback

a. Monthly focus group meetings with hourly associates

i. While these meetings don’t meet the suggested format for a formal 360-degree feedback program I feel these monthly meetings could be one of the most significant actions I can take in my development. Generally speaking the hourly workforce will provide brutally honest feedback in regards to what is working, what isn’t, and what needs to improve. Interacting with these associates on a personal level will sharpen my people skills, my

communication skills, and my leadership skills. If successful these focus group meetings will also build a committed workforce driven by company success as they know the company cares about their interests and actions.

My five-year career development path includes the following:

A. Promotion to Plant Manager

a. In this role I would be responsible for the activities and performance of the entire facility. I would have anywhere from 150 to 950 associates working under my guidance depending on the plant. This position would require me to utilize the knowledge I’ve gained while also refining my leadership skills with a larger work force.

B. International role as Site Manager

a. While similar in job functions as a Plant Manager this role would take place at an international location requiring me to adapt my leadership to the culture of the new location. While the tenure of this position would likely be short the experience would be very beneficial in my development and would really separate me from other Vice President candidates who lack such experience.

C. Promotion to Vice President