A key element in the successful development and engagement of employees is the quality of their leaders and managers.  To build a high quality bench of leaders, SCI provides a variety of leadership development opportunities, including assessment, development planning, targeted learning experiences, peer mentoring and coaching and developmental assignments. Examples of our leadership courses are:

Managing For Excellence- by Wilson Learning: A 4-day leadership course that teaches managers to rethink the role of “leader” in today’s business environment. During this course managers will hone critical skills to empower and energize employees and build effective teams.  Participants will:

1. Use feedback on current management practices to move from an heroic style to Manager as Developer
2. Understand the impact of decision making practices
3. Understand and implement effective team development practices
4. Understand the importance of vision and ways to gain commitment to the corporate/department vision
5. Gain a greater ability to manage difficult direct reports through supportive confrontation skills

Foundation for Growth Management Series:  These 4-day experiential learning courses are designed to build job specific leadership skills that will drive performance and build high-performing teams.  Each class provides the opportunity to learn and practice the skills that successful managers in these positions use every day.  In addition participants are given the necessary tools to use upon returning home to ensure integration of the new skills into their daily activities.  Currently Foundation classes are available for General Managers, Sales Managers and Cemetery Office Managers.  Additional classes are planned for other management positions.You can receive college credits through the University of Phoenix for all of these courses.

New Sales Manager Development Program: This 16-week program is focused on preparing newly hired Sales Managers to function as a high-performing sales manager at their location. There is a blend of classroom instruction as well as hands-on training in the roles of a company sales manager and sales counselor. There are 3 Phases to this program:

1. Preliminary coursework including onsite experiences in the market where the individual will work
2. Onsite training experience at an actual SCI location
3. Return to hiring location to continue development in role as Sales Manager by applying lessons learned in Phase 2.

Supervisory Development Series:  A seven part series of half-day classroom courses focused on the necessary skills and knowledge that a supervisor or manager needs to manage their direct reports.  Topics include, communication styles and skills, interviewing, managing performance, progressive discipline and managing the gray areas.