Supporting your managers to manage

Leadership skills don’t come from excellence in work or in the experience they’ve had so far. Instead, leadership skills need to be developed - often before someone is promoted to manager - so they can thrive in their role.

The Managing People Fundamentals programme takes your managers through the core skills they need to learn to become successful leaders.

Support your manager’s growth and development

Reduce the risk of issues escalating

Reclaim senior management time

See the benefits across your teams

Your managers will go from imposter syndrome and feeling like they're about to be “found out” to gaining the confidence they need to adapt to any leadership situation.

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We believe in learning by doing, which is why the Managing People Fundamentals programme is delivered in-person and using active-learning exercises and techniques. We space each of the seven modules out to allow of delegates to apply their new skills between sessions. This also gives them the opportunity to feedback on areas where they need more support.

Each module is designed to focus on a core leadership skill and culminates in a Dragon’s Den style presentation to a panel of experts at the end of the programme. At every stage, delegates will get personalised feedback on how they can apply the learning to their role. This is why we limit our cohorts to 8 people so everyone has the opportunity to get the most value from the programme .

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What’s included:

Each module comes with core skills, processes, templates and checklists to help you get the most out of your managers and to empower them to get the best out of their teams.

During the programme you will get:

Seven in-person sessions delivered in a purpose-built training room

Extended DiSC Manager Behavioural Style Assessment

Templates and checklists to use at work

Proven techniques and frameworks to apply

Professional support and feedback on progress

Proven processes to repeat in your organisation

A panel review of your outcomes

Module 1 - Understanding the Management Role

A chance to hone management skills and understand what is expected of managers in the new world of work. We take you through the strategies which will get the most out of your team, measure productivity and create personal development plans. This module also covers effective listening, body language, negotiation, how to influence people and give clear instructions.

Module 2 - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We work through the legal framework for EDI in the workplace and use practical exercises to demonstrate how you can apply this within a work-setting. We also look at how unconscious bias can impact managers and how we can actively adjust for this in leadership. This core learning will help delegates understand the importance of inclusion and how it can be leveraged to improve performance of their organisation as well as reduce the risk of grievances and tribunals in the workplace.

Module 3 - Recruitment, Onboarding and Probation

From crafting an ideal job description to developing an onboarding process that helps build employee retention rates, this session will take you through everything you need to know about recruitment, onboarding and probation. You’ll learn interview techniques, job offer processes and negotiation. We do this within a legal framework so you understand the levels of compliance required in this process.

Module 4 - Managing Difficult Conversations and Conflict

A popular module with past cohorts that can help reduce the anxiety and stress around these difficult situations. This module walks you through key techniques that can prevent unwanted behaviours before they happen and set boundaries to reduce bad habits within the team. At the end of this module, you’ll feel confident in handling any future conflict.

Module 5 - Managing Performance

Getting the best out of your team also means managing their performance. Yet, a performance review can strike fear into the heart of even your top talent. In this session we look at how to deliver constructive feedback which helps align employees’ career goals with those of the business. This module also includes coaching for performance and techniques to support development and performance reviews.

Module 6 - Managing Absence, Health and Wellbeing

Absence management can vary in complexity which is why this module looks at key techniques to manage different types of absence to achieve the best outcomes. We cover absence-prevention with employee health and wellbeing. We also look at how a case management approach can support best outcomes for the business.

Module 7 - Leading and Managing High-Performing Teams

Leaders need a different approach to traditional top-down management to develop high-performing teams. In this final module, we pull together everything learned in the previous six sessions to create a framework and roadmap for future management challenges. It is finished with a Dragon’s Den style presentation to business experts, who will give clear feedback on your next steps.

Managing People Fundamentals programme is for:

New or aspiring managers
Established and senior managers without formal training
Employees showing leadership qualities
Managers struggling within their role or suffering from stress and imposter syndrome
Business founders of start ups who are seeing significant team growth
Managers who need extra support with their teams.

Managing People Fundamentals programme is not for:

Managers who believe they already know it all and have nothing to learn
Employees who are unlikely to have a management promotion in the next 18 months
Managers with core skills training looking for the next level. We have other programmes that will better meet your needs
Owners of micro-businesses without employees. We have other programmes that will better meet your needs
Anyone who wants a box-ticking exercise.

Feedback on the Programme:

Putting our managers through the MPF ensures that they have the leadership knowledge and skills they need to flourish. The practical elements of the training allows them to deal with the real world situations that they will face from day one in their new roles. They are much more proactive and require less support.

Sophie was one of our rising stars. We wanted to develop Sophie to give her everything she needed to be successful in her first leadership role. The Managing People Fundamentals Programme gave her the knowledge, skills and confidence that enabled her to manage her team effectively and independently after only a very short time in her new role.

I found the MPF programme really valuable. I use something that I learnt on a daily basis in managing and leading my team.

The change in Abi over the six months of the programme was really impressive. We now completely trust Abi to run the business with little or no input from us; she handles anything that comes her way brilliantly using the knowledge and practical skills that she learnt on the programme.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the programme last?

The programme takes place over 6-7 months and has seven in-person sessions that are delivered as part of a group. We allow time between each session so that participants can put what they’ve learned into action. Each module builds on the last into a comprehensive framework.

What is the time commitment?

The live modules take a full workday so participants need to commit to a day around once a month. Teaching takes place in our training room in picturesque Stoke Prior, near Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa. We provide refreshments and lunch during the day. Participants are expected to apply the learning outside of the sessions. How much time is put into this is up to individuals but we recommend that the more you put into the programme, the more you’ll get out of it as a manager.

My managers are already struggling with their workload, how will they fit this in?

If your managers are already under pressure with their workload then it's likely they are suffering stress, anxiety and burnout. Taking part in the course will teach them how to delegate and properly manage their own workload alongside the pressures of their new role. By taking this programme, they will be more productive and have greater confidence in time management. Additionally, many of our clients find senior leadership time is freed up when new managers take this programme as they no longer need to intervene with decisions as often.

The feedback we get from organisations and their managers is that the time away from the office to do the training is a significant advantage of the programme. It gives managers time and space to think as well as feel valued by their employers.

I’m thinking about doing the CMI-accredited course, how does this compare?

We also deliver the CMI accredited Level 3 and 5 courses. Our Managing People Fundamentals programme goes deeper into the core skills, has greater application and covers a wider base of experience.

I don’t want to do this as part of a group, do you offer 1-1 or bespoke training?

We offer Managing People Fundamentals to organisations who have teams of new, aspiring or established managers who can benefit from formal training. We can also offer individual modules out as separate training events but recommend that the full programme is completed for the best outcomes.
For more information, including other options, email duncan@dantonhr.com

I don’t need every module, can I miss some?

You need to attend every module to complete the programme. If you feel you only need one or two modules, do get in touch to discuss a bespoke offer. Although we recommend completing the whole programme to get the best possible outcome for your managers.

How many people will be in the group?

We cap the group at 8 people so that we can give each delegate the time and attention they need for feedback on all the exercises and work. We often find that groups stay in touch beyond the sessions.

Are your managers struggling in their new role?

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