LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR MANAGERS

Mastering Leadership: Essential tips for new managers

Stepping into a management role for the first time can be both exciting and daunting. When tight talent pools or tight budgets limit your hiring efforts, developing new leaders internally becomes an essential post-hire practice. Whether you’re a new manager navigating this transition or an HR leader looking to support your team, the journey to effective leadership requires a blend of strategy, self-awareness, and strong communication skills.

Differentiate a manager within Team Discovery

Introduction to management

This guide offers practical new manager tips to help anyone in a leadership role. Whether you’re managing your own team or mentoring others, you can cultivate the skills needed for long-term success. With the right tools and insights, you can ensure that managers are not only prepared, but also empowered to excel in their roles.

What are the traits of a good manager?

To be a successful manager, it’s crucial to develop certain core traits that drive both team performance and personal growth. You might be tasked with coordinating team-building exercises to boost team cohesion. 

Here are key traits for any effective manager:

How to navigate challenges faced by new managers

Not all managerial challenges are equal. Experience gives more tenured leaders a leg up in certain situations, as does familiarity with the faces and personalities on the team. New managers face a unique learning curve that may include:

Transitioning from peer to manager

New managers often face the challenge of managing people who were once their peers. This requires establishing new boundaries, while still maintaining trust and respect. Setting clear expectations and balancing the shift in authority can help navigate this tricky transition.


Employee disengagement and cultural issues

Managers need to identify signs of disengagement and cultural friction within their teams. Addressing these issues early helps maintain a positive team culture and prevents long-term productivity loss.


Managing conflict

Handling conflict effectively is key to maintaining harmony within a team. Good managers can’t fear conflict. Managers should be proactive in addressing interpersonal issues and creating a safe space for resolution.


Underperformance

Recognizing underperformance and initiating difficult conversations are essential skills for any manager. Setting clear performance improvement plans and maintaining accountability can help team members meet expectations.


Managing remote employees by behavioral type

With remote work becoming more prevalent, managers must adjust their leadership style to suit the behavioral preferences of remote employees. This includes finding ways to keep remote workers engaged and productive.


Support new managers through this ebook

How to learn people management skills

Worksheet: How’s your leadership fit?

Emotional intelligence and leadership

Self-awareness also plays a role in improving emotional intelligence. Managers who can control their emotions and respond thoughtfully to team dynamics are better equipped to lead in challenging situations.


Techniques for developing strong 1:1 relationships

Managers should tailor their communication styles to each team member’s preferences. Personalized communication helps build trust and encourages open dialogue.

Additional resource: 1:1 Meeting Templates for Managers


Try our 6-minute assessment to uncover your strengths.

How to effectively manage and lead teams with behavioral insights

Read: The science behind Team Discovery

The value of behavioral insights in management

Leveraging behavioral data helps managers understand their team’s diverse work styles, communication preferences, and motivations. Aligning roles with behavioral strengths can lead to better team performance and collaboration.


Using behavioral insights for tailored leadership

Managers can adjust their leadership approach based on the behavioral profiles of their team members. This ensures that high-performers and those needing more support receive the guidance they need.


Managing team collaboration with behavioral insights

Behavioral insights can also help foster better communication and collaboration within teams. Identifying potential friction points between team members and addressing them early reduces conflict.


Access the Practical Guide to Managing Teams for step-by-step advice.

HR training for managers: How HR can support and upskill managers across the organization

Watch: How to level up your managers

Scaling leadership development

HR leaders play a crucial role in developing leadership programs that provide ongoing training for managers. These programs should be structured to ensure consistent development across all levels of management.


Creating a framework for upskilling managers

Data-driven insights, such as performance reviews and behavioral assessments, can help HR leaders identify gaps in managerial skills. Personalized learning paths based on these insights enable managers to grow in areas that need improvement.


Using tools to build leadership capacity

Introducing tools like PI Inspire can help HR leaders scale leadership development across the organization, providing personalized training that grows with the company.


Dive deeper into how PI supports managers.

Essential resources every manager should have

Managers need access to templates, reports, tools, and e-books to help them navigate day-to-day challenges. The Ultimate Management Toolkit provides a one-stop resource for managers to tackle common issues.

Access the The Ultimate Management Toolkit to enhance your management skills.


The payoff

Investing in new managers strengthens the future of your organization. By building key leadership traits, using behavioral insights, and supporting ongoing growth, you create a more engaged, productive, and resilient team. Whether you’re an HR leader or a manager, the right tools can empower your team to thrive.

Stay up on the latest tips for managers and developing leaders

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Motionstrand reduced annual hiring cost per candidate by 72%.