CMI Level 6 Diploma in Professional Management and Leadership Practice

An outstanding professional manager and leader is typified by someone who has the ability to select and apply knowledge, skills, values and behaviours effectively in their working role. Whilst many of these attributes can be developed through experiential learning, these can be sharpened and amplified through an in-depth exploration of the topic.

The aim of this unit is to enable the professional manager and leader to consider the influence of an organisation’s context on how individuals are managed and led. They will reflect on the values, behaviours, knowledge and skills required, not only to deliver successful organisational outcomes, but to lead individuals with confidence.

Individuals and teams are a highly prized resource which, if developed, managed and led effectively, can transform an organisation’s reputation, productivity and success.

The aim of this unit is for the professional manager and leader to understand the principles for developing, managing and leading individuals and teams. On completion of the unit, learners will understand the multi-dimensional factors which influence the way individuals and teams are developed and led. They will examine the role of organisational structures for managing human resources and be given the opportunity to research classic and contemporary approaches to the management and development of individuals and teams. Ultimately, this unit will culminate in an assessment of the skills required to lead and develop individuals and teams in a manner that not only achieves results but is ethical, fair, empowering and collaborative.

Culture matters. Beliefs, principles, ideologies, behaviours and values have the power to influence an organisation’s success. Culture is emergent, it develops over time and is influenced by the cultural identity of staff and stakeholders and the approaches taken to lead and manage others. It is also influenced by an organisation’s history, purpose, activities, vision, mission and values.

The aim of this unit is to equip professional managers and leaders with an understanding of the role and impact of culture within organisations and the approaches to make and sustain cultural change.

Programme and project management is an essential skill for a professional manager and leader to develop. Whilst a project is singular, programmes will encompass a range of projects. The reality of managing programmes and projects is complicated. There are a broad range of multi-dimensional issues which influence how these are led; not least the impact of stakeholder involvement, financing, resourcing and appetite for risk. Ultimately, the success of a programme or project is judged on the achievement of goals within the parameters of cost, quality, resources used and timescales.

The aim of this unit is to equip professional managers and leaders with an understanding of how to proactively respond to the demands of project and programme management, regardless of their type, size and complexity.

The ability to drive innovation and change is an essential skill for a professional manager and leader. Innovation, defined simply as ‘doing something new or different,’ is a powerful catalyst for change. It can revolutionise an organisation’s operational activities, create dynamic new opportunities, and contribute to the achievement of strategic goals. Change occurs in many forms and leaders must be able to respond to changes which are radical, incremental or evolutionary.

This unit has been designed to enable the professional manager and leader to understand innovation and change within organisational contexts. It explores the rationale for innovation and change, such as the impact of technology and digitalisation. Most importantly it focuses on the knowledge, values and behaviours that ultimately will equip the professional managers and leaders to successfully drive innovation and change.

Organisational strategy is often seen as a blueprint which guides an organisation’s path. It can be created to provide stakeholders with the organisation’s direction for the future, as well as enabling an organisation to measure and monitor its success. Organisational strategy may evolve over time to respond to different circumstances, new opportunities or unexpected challenges. Ultimately, successful outcomes result from the way the organisational strategy is led, managed and implemented.

The aim of this unit is to enable professional managers and leaders to understand approaches to developing organisational strategy and how to formulate and lead operational strategy to achieve a strategic aim.

Good relationships, whether they are with customers, suppliers, partners or staff, are a key contributor to an organisation’s success. To build stakeholder relationships that are long lasting and sustainable, they need to be planned and developed.

This unit explores the types and purposes of stakeholder relationships and the skills required to overcome challenges and manage these effectively.

Business outcomes are optimised when risks are identified and managed effectively.

This unit has been designed to equip learners with an understanding of the scope and purpose of business risk management. This includes an evaluation of the types of business risks, the governance and approaches for managing these effectively, and how risk management can be implemented successfully within organisations.