Core Skills for New Managers

New managers are often promoted based on their performanceas individual contributors - but the skills that got them there aren’t the same skills they need to lead a team. Without training, even high-potential leaders can easily get it wrong.

This course is designed to give managers the skills, tools and mindset they need to help their team thrive and create a culture of high performance. The course focuses on the real-world challenges of early-stage management - from managing former peers and delegating, to handling conflict and delivering performance feedback, to becoming a role model for others to follow. Participants on the course will have the opportunity to put the skills they learn into practice through role play exercises with expert feedback.

A programme tailored to your organisation

We work with you to understand your objectives, participants and development needs, shaping the training around your priorities and the challenges your managers face. Pre-course consultation and participant surveys help us identify development areas, while practical exercises and roleplays give participants the opportunity to practise new approaches and receive expert feedback.

Understanding yourself as a manager
Develop self-awareness, explore your leadership style and gain a clearer understanding of your role and responsibilities as a manager.

Effective communication and performance management
Learn how to set clear expectations, delegate effectively, give constructive feedback and use coaching to support high performance. Understand how to align team goals with wider business objectives and plan ahead to deliver results.

Meetings and team culture
Develop the skills to facilitate effective team meetings and create an inclusive environment where people feel safe to contribute. Explore how to motivate others, strengthen engagement and build a positive team culture.

Influencing skills and managing upwards
Learn how to build credibility and influence both within your team and across the wider organisation. Develop the skills to manage upwards, build effective relationships with senior stakeholders, gain buy-in for your ideas and communicate your views with confidence.

Mastering difficult conversations
Learn how to approach challenging situations with confidence, using the Fearless CONNECT™ Framework to structure conversations, address conflict constructively and agree positive next steps.

Managing employee wellbeing
Develop the skills to support your team’s wellbeing through effective coaching conversations. Learn how to help team members build resilience and manage their emotions, while developing your own self-awareness and emotional intelligence to lead by example.

Overcoming common pitfalls for managers
Navigate the challenges that often come with being a manager, from maintaining clear boundaries and managing consistently to letting go of doing everything yourself.  

What happens after the course?
An accountability workshop brings participants back together to review their progress, reflect on how they’ve applied their learning in the workplace, explore new challenges and share insights with their peers. Structured reflection and peer challenge help reinforce new behaviours and maintain momentum beyond the initial training.

Optional 1-to-1 coaching
For participants who would benefit from more individual support, 1-to-1 coaching can be added to the programme. 1-to-1 coaching provides dedicated time to work on specific development goals, address individual challenges and accelerate progress.