Foundational Management and Leadership Skills

Leadership and Business Management October 25, 2025
Enquire About This Course

Introduction

This essential course provides the core knowledge and practical skills necessary for anyone transitioning into or seeking to enhance their role as a manager or team leader. Participants will build a robust understanding of management fundamentals, including planning, organizing, and resource allocation, while simultaneously developing key leadership qualities such as communication, motivation, and influence. The program focuses on bridging the gap between technical expertise and people leadership, enabling attendees to navigate the complexities of managing teams and driving performance effectively. Ultimately, this foundational training is critical for establishing a successful and sustainable managerial career.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Differentiate between the roles of management (planning, organizing) and leadership (inspiring, influencing).
  • Apply basic planning tools to set clear team goals and manage resources effectively.
  • Utilize fundamental communication and active listening skills to build trust with team members.
  • Delegate tasks effectively and provide constructive feedback to drive performance.
  • Identify different leadership styles and adapt their approach to various situations and individuals.
  • Implement basic techniques for motivating teams and fostering a positive work environment.
  • Manage time and prioritize tasks to balance individual and team responsibilities efficiently.
  • Understand ethical responsibilities and principles in daily management decisions.

Target Audience

  • Newly appointed Supervisors and Team Leaders
  • High-potential employees preparing for management roles
  • Project Managers and Coordinators
  • Technical Experts transitioning to people management
  • Individuals seeking a foundational understanding of management principles

Methodology

  • Group activities and role-playing for delegation and feedback
  • Case studies on effective and failed managerial transitions
  • Individual exercises in personal leadership style assessment
  • Action planning workshops for applying SMART goals
  • Facilitated discussions on ethical workplace dilemmas

Personal Impact

  • A clear definition of personal leadership style and management approach.
  • Mastery of basic skills for communication, delegation, and feedback.
  • Increased confidence in leading a team and managing daily operations.
  • Improved ability to prioritize work and manage time effectively.
  • A foundational understanding of how to motivate and engage direct reports.
  • Reduced stress and better preparedness for managerial challenges.

Organizational Impact

  • Consistent application of best practices across new leadership roles.
  • Improved team productivity through clear communication and effective goal setting.
  • Higher employee engagement and motivation due to better supervision.
  • Reduction in common managerial errors and staff turnover.
  • A strengthened pipeline of competent first-line leaders.
  • More accurate and timely project completion through effective delegation.

Course Outline

Unit 1: The Transition to Management

Section 1: Manager vs. Leader
  • Defining the key differences between management and leadership
  • Understanding the primary functions of management (Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Controlling)
  • Shifting from individual contributor to team coach and leader
  • Overcoming common challenges in the first managerial role

Unit 2: Essential Communication and Feedback

Section 1: Core Communication Skills
  • Mastering active listening and non-verbal communication
  • Conducting effective one-on-one meetings and team huddles
  • Techniques for delivering clear instructions and setting expectations
  • Developing assertive communication without being aggressive
Section 2: The Art of Feedback
  • Principles of constructive vs. corrective feedback
  • Using models like SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) for structured feedback
  • Handling defensive reactions and managing difficult feedback conversations
  • Implementing positive reinforcement and recognition strategies

Unit 3: Basic Planning and Delegation

Section 1: Goal Setting and Planning
  • Applying SMART goals to team objectives and projects
  • Basic resource allocation and task scheduling techniques
  • Prioritizing tasks using matrices (e.g., Eisenhower Matrix)
  • Translating organizational strategy into team action plans
Section 2: Effective Delegation
  • Identifying which tasks to delegate and to whom
  • The process of clear delegation: defining authority and accountability
  • Avoiding 'upward delegation' and maintaining control
  • Using delegation as a tool for employee development

Unit 4: Motivating and Leading Teams

Section 1: Foundational Leadership Styles
  • Exploring common leadership theories (e.g., Situational Leadership, Transformational)
  • Understanding employee needs (e.g., Maslow's Hierarchy, Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory)
  • Strategies for intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in the workplace
  • Building psychological safety and team trust

Unit 5: Managing Performance and Time

Section 1: Performance Basics
  • Setting up systems for monitoring team and individual performance
  • Handling basic conflict resolution and interpersonal issues
  • Time management techniques for the manager (blocking, batching)
  • Principles of ethical decision-making in supervision

Ready to Learn More?

Have questions about this course? Get in touch with our training consultants.

Submit Your Enquiry