The New Manager Leadership Programme was structured into six key sessions, each focusing on a crucial aspect of leadership development. Two follow-up sessions were also designed to ensure the application of learned strategies. The program encouraged interaction through pre-work, buddy systems for accountability, and ongoing support.
Session Overviews:
- Empowering team success: Setting expectations and goals
This session focused on helping new managers set clear, measurable goals for themselves and their teams. It also emphasised the importance of aligning team goals with the broader organisational objectives, ensuring that team members understand their role within the larger company mission. Managers learned to monitor progress through key performance indicators (KPIs) and conduct regular progress check-ins to provide feedback and celebrate successes.
- Unlocking the power of feedback
Feedback is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. This session taught managers how to deliver constructive feedback in a balanced, non-defensive way, focusing on specific actions or behaviours. The session also developed managers’ active listening skills, creating an environment where team members felt valued and heard, thus fostering a culture of trust and psychological safety.
- Effective conflict identification, management, and resolution
Conflict is inevitable in any team, but managing it effectively is crucial. This session equipped managers with tools to identify potential conflicts early, mediate disputes professionally, and resolve conflicts to benefit both the team and the organisation. Collaborative problem-solving techniques were emphasised to ensure mutual understanding and satisfactory outcomes.
- Emotionally intelligent leadership
Emotional intelligence is vital for leadership success. In this session, managers worked on increasing their self-awareness and self-regulation, understanding their emotional triggers, and improving their ability to manage emotions in high-pressure situations. The session also focused on empathy—understanding the feelings and perspectives of others—which is critical for building stronger relationships and fostering team cohesion.
- Mastering delegation and time management
Effective delegation and time management are essential for productivity and team growth. This session gave managers the skills to assess team members’ strengths, delegate tasks appropriately, and optimise their time. The goal was to foster a team’s efficiency culture, allowing managers to focus on strategic functions while empowering team members to grow.
- Fostering a Growth Mindset for continuous development
This final session emphasised the importance of continuous learning and personal development. Managers were encouraged to foster a growth mindset within their teams, stay adaptable to change, and regularly update their skills. The session provided critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making techniques, ensuring managers could lead confidently in a rapidly evolving industry.
Accountability: To reinforce the learning process, a buddy system was introduced, pairing managers with peers to provide support and accountability throughout the program. This system encouraged the practical application of new skills in real-world settings.
Follow-up sessions: Two additional follow-up sessions were held after the completion of the core training to review progress, ensure the transfer of learning, and reinforce the key concepts covered in the program. These sessions allowed managers to share experiences, discuss challenges, and celebrate successes.