A2 Housing - The Foundations of Change

In partnership with Headline Training & Consultancy, CentreStage is helping to deliver coaching and performance management skills training for A2 Housing Group.

A2 Housing was formed in February 2005 as a result of a merger between Airways Housing Group and Apex Housing Group. The partnership has created one of the largest Housing Groups in the South East, firmly establishing the new organisation as a long term player within the sector.

With such change come new ways of working and the need to engender a performance management culture underpinned by coaching skills and desired attitudes. And crucial to the success of this is the way it’s communicated.

So often organisations impose changes on its employees and so often they are received negatively. It’s human nature, perhaps, to be wary of change. After all, if it ain’t broke…! But surely, if everyone knows it’s been spearheaded by the board in the company’s best interests, why the resistance?

Resistance arises, quite simply, because the reasons for change are not communicated clearly. And because it’s far too easy to perceive a request to change the way you work as a criticism.

To get buy-in from managers for new systems, procedures or ideals, it’s vital to communicate the reasons for and benefits of change, and to involve delegates in the learning process.

The use of roleplay in the workshops designed for A2 Housing ensures that delegates control their own learning. Having been introduced, on the first day, to coaching techniques, they have the chance to put them to the test in a series of interactive scenarios.

The beauty of this approach is that rather than feeling as if they’re being told to do something in a certain way, delegates are empowered to try different approaches themselves. The series of two-day workshops will be rolled out to all managers in the organisation throughout the Spring. For more information about Headline Training, visit their website.

A2 Housing Group is the one of the largest registered social landlords in the South East and provides a diverse range of affordable housing solutions to meet needs throughout the region. With a reputable history, an exciting mix of commercial experience and a solid approach to customer care, the Group is able to deliver a high standard of service to meet the needs of all its customers.