We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Chris Croft

Leadership Complete Guide - Succeed as a New Manager

Master leadership and management with this in depth guide by a world expert

Read more

Leadership Complete Guide - Succeed as a New Manager

Master leadership and management with this in depth guide by a world expert

So, you’ve just been promoted, and now you’re a new manager —congratulations. But let’s be honest, stepping into management can feel a bit daunting, can’t it? Suddenly, you’re expected to lead a team, make tough decisions, delegate work (without micromanaging. ), and somehow keep everyone happy and productive. Oh, and let’s not forget learning how to delegate properly, avoid burnout, and make your boss think you’ve got it all under control. The good news? This course is here to help. 

I’ve designed this course specifically for new managers—people just like you, who’ve been thrown into the deep end of leadership and want practical advice that works right now. Whether you’re managing a small team or leading in a big organization, I’ll give you all the tools and strategies you need to succeed in your new role. 

Here’s what you’ll learn as a new manager: 

I’ve broken down the biggest challenges of management into simple, bite-sized lessons—no boring theory here, just stuff you can actually use.

You’ll learn: 

- How to motivate every member of your team and make them feel like a superstar. 

- The magic of delegation — why it’s the secret to great management (and how to do it right). 

- How to nail performance appraisals so they actually improve performance (instead of feeling like a waste of time). 

- The power of coaching to turn your team into confident, capable problem-solvers. 

- How to divide tasks into manageable chunks and assign them to the right people. 

- Why striking the balance between monitoring and freedom is the key to a happy team. 

- How to handle those awkward, tricky conversations like a pro. 

Why new managers love this course

This course isn’t just a boring list of “dos and don’ts.” It’s packed with real-life, practical advice that’s been tried and tested by thousands of managers I’ve worked with over the years. Whether you’re figuring out how to manage your best mate (who’s now reporting to you—yikes. ) or trying to win over a skeptical team, I’ll show you how to navigate the pitfalls and become the kind of leader people actually want to follow.

By the end of this course, you’ll feel confident and in control. You’ll know how to: 

- Motivate and engage your team (even the tricky ones). 

- Communicate like a leader, without sounding bossy or unsure. 

- Delegate effectively, so you can focus on the big picture without burning out. 

- Empower your team to take ownership and deliver results. 

- Create a positive, productive work environment where everyone thrives. 

Who am I?

I’m Chris Croft, and I’ve been teaching leadership and management for over 20 years. I’ve worked with everyone from brand-new managers to seasoned CEOs, and I specialize in making complicated stuff simple and fun. I’m also allergic to boring lectures—so expect this course to be practical, engaging, and maybe even a bit entertaining. 

What’s included in this course?

- Tools and techniques to help you master the basics of leadership as a new manager. 

- Step-by-step guidance for tackling performance appraisals, difficult conversations, and tricky team dynamics. 

- Coaching tips to build confidence and problem-solving skills in your team. 

- The secrets to balancing delegation and oversight (without becoming a micromanager). 

- Communication techniques to help you get buy-in and manage up, down, and sideways. 

Let’s get started and make your transition from employee to manager as smooth (and stress-free) as possible. Enroll now, and let’s turn you into the brilliant boss I know you can be. 

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Become a truly inspirational leader
  • Understand principal management theories and how to apply them
  • Know your team members on a personal level so you can work together more effectively
  • Feel confident to involve your team in plans and decision making
  • Empower your team with coaching to level up the business
  • Learn how to get the management monkey off your back
  • Why appraisals solve every problem

Syllabus

Introduction
Welcome
What's a Boss For?
Intro
Read more
Your leadership self-audit
The forgotten art of MBWA
Back to the floor
How to get to the root of problems
Wrap Up
Motivation
The most famous management theory in the world
Improve security for your team
How to give your team a sense of Belonging
How to make each person in your team feel valued
The ultimate motivator
The Management Potato
It’s like watering a plant
Team Audit
A team motivation audit
The importance of Ownership
It’s the Challenge Challenge!
Are your team all Learning?
What falls between the cracks?
Personality
Understand your colleagues
What are you like?
Managing Your Boss
Ask your boss to be a better boss
Levels of Involvement
How much should you involve other people in your plans?
Could you involve your team more?
Encourage your boss to hand over more control
Situational Leadership
What’s the best leadership style for your team members?
The best way for YOU to be managed
Allocate some tasks to your team members
Coaching
What to do with people who are under-achieving
Who can you Empower?
The problem with Stars
The Banana of Boredom
The process of coaching
Dividing a task into learnable chunks
How to loosen the reins
Assess your current levels of coaching
Ask for coaching in something new
Coaching from your boss
Levels of Freedom
The Freedom Ladder
Can you give your team more freedom?
The Matrix
The Management Matrix
You are the boss now
Delegation
What are YOUR cushions?
The list of could and can’t
The value of delegating
Set up an expert system
Give away parts of YOUR job
A pretend motorbike crash
The 80% rule
People who are nearly ready
If you can’t delegate the whole thing….
Assign a Deputy
The textbook delegation process
Taking the Monkey
WHAT is a Management Monkey?
WHO is your biggest monkey-giver?
Beyond Delegation
The two key parts of delegation
Why we abdicate
How to try Empowerment
Train your boss to empower you more
Appraisals
Appraisals solve every problem
The number one sign of a professional company
How to make your appraisals make a real difference
SUMMING UP - regular actions
Daily actions
Weekly actions

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides practical advice and tools for new managers navigating the challenges of leadership, such as delegation, motivation, and communication, which are essential for success
Offers techniques to improve team motivation, engagement, and productivity, which are critical for creating a positive and thriving work environment
Includes guidance on handling performance appraisals and difficult conversations, which are vital skills for effective management and conflict resolution
Explores management theories and their practical applications, which can help new managers understand and implement effective leadership strategies
Examines the concept of 'management monkeys' and how to avoid taking on unnecessary tasks, which is crucial for effective delegation and time management
Requires learners to understand principal management theories, which may necessitate additional research for those without a background in business or organizational studies

Save this course

Save New Manager: learn to be a great leader [practical tips] to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in New Manager: learn to be a great leader [practical tips] with these activities:
Review 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People'
Provide a strong foundation in effective habits that will enhance leadership skills.
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on the 7 habits.
  • Reflect on how each habit applies to your current role.
  • Identify one habit to focus on improving before the course begins.
Review Basic Management Theories
Ensure a solid understanding of fundamental management concepts before diving into practical applications.
Show steps
  • Research common management theories (e.g., Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, McGregor's Theory X and Y).
  • Summarize each theory in your own words.
  • Consider how these theories relate to motivating and managing a team.
Team Member Profile Project
Apply the course's principles by creating detailed profiles of each team member to better understand their motivations and needs.
Show steps
  • Create a template for team member profiles.
  • Interview each team member to gather information about their goals, strengths, and weaknesses.
  • Analyze the profiles to identify individual and team-wide needs.
  • Develop strategies to address these needs based on course learnings.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Delegation Guide
Reinforce learning about delegation by creating a practical guide for team members.
Show steps
  • Outline the key steps in effective delegation.
  • Write clear and concise instructions for each step.
  • Include examples and templates for delegation tasks.
  • Share the guide with your team and solicit feedback.
Practice Appraisal Role-Playing
Improve appraisal skills by practicing with a peer in a simulated performance review.
Show steps
  • Find a peer or colleague willing to role-play.
  • Prepare a scenario for a performance appraisal.
  • Conduct the role-play, focusing on communication and feedback skills.
  • Provide each other with constructive feedback after the role-play.
Develop a Team Communication Plan
Apply course concepts to create a structured plan for improving team communication and collaboration.
Show steps
  • Assess current communication practices within the team.
  • Identify areas for improvement in communication channels and methods.
  • Develop a detailed communication plan with specific goals and strategies.
  • Present the plan to the team and implement it.
Review 'Radical Candor'
Reinforce the importance of honest and empathetic communication in leadership.
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on the principles of radical candor.
  • Reflect on how you currently give and receive feedback.
  • Identify areas where you can apply radical candor in your interactions with your team.

Career center

Learners who complete New Manager: learn to be a great leader [practical tips] will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Team Lead
A Team Lead guides and motivates a group of individuals to achieve common goals, often within a specific project or department. This course is designed for those new to management, which makes it ideal for an aspiring Team Lead. The course focuses on practical advice for delegating tasks, conducting performance appraisals, and fostering team engagement, all of which are essential for any Team Lead. Specifically, the course teaches how to divide tasks into manageable chunks and assign them to the right people. This skill is vital to a team lead's efficacy. Moreover, the course emphasizes how to empower a team to take ownership and deliver results. The course may be useful to new team leads wishing to navigate their responsibilities.
Supervisory Manager
A Supervisory Manager oversees the day-to-day operations, performance, and development of a team. The skills taught in this course map directly onto that role. The course provides practical tools and strategies for new managers, focusing on topics such as team motivation, effective communication, and delegation. The course material teaches how to handle difficult conversations, balance monitoring with freedom, and empower team members. This course is an ideal starting point for those aspiring to be a Supervisory Manager because it emphasizes the importance of creating a positive, productive work environment, a responsibility that falls squarely within the supervisory manager's domain.
Project Manager
A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing specific projects, typically within a set timeframe and budget. The course content, designed for new managers, provides a solid foundation for project management, especially in the areas of delegation and task management. The course covers how to divide tasks into manageable pieces and assign them to team members, which is critical for any project. The course also addresses how to motivate team members, conduct effective performance reviews, and communicate with clarity and confidence, which further complements that role. The course will be a great asset to aspiring project managers by helping them develop into effective leaders.
Operations Manager
An Operations Manager manages the processes that keep an organization running smoothly and efficiently. The principles of leadership and management taught in this course, designed for new managers, apply directly to the operational management of a team. The course covers crucial topics for an operations manager including how to delegate work effectively, motivate team members, and handle performance appraisals. This course will help an aspiring operations manager by teaching them, specifically, how to divide tasks into manageable chunks and how to empower the members of their team. It is strongly recommended that new operations managers take this course.
Program Manager
A Program Manager oversees multiple related projects, ensuring they align with strategic objectives. The content of this course is well suited to this role. The course helps those new to management with the practical aspects of delegation, task assignment, and team motivation. A program manager benefits from understanding how to involve team members in planning and decision making. This is directly covered in the course. The program manager also must know how to empower others with coaching to level up the business. The course can be very helpful toward the development of a program manager's skill set.
Human Resources Manager
A Human Resources Manager is responsible for the employee lifecycle from recruitment to off-boarding. This course will be particularly beneficial for new Human Resources Managers transitioning into leadership positions. The course teaches effective communication, delegation, performance appraisals, and coaching, some of the key components of Human Resources management. It also covers how to handle tricky conversations and create a positive environment that supports the growth of individual team members. New HR managers are encouraged to take this course, as it provides practical methods for managing people and improving team performance.
Department Head
A Department Head is in charge of an entire department within an organization. The course covers topics for those new to management. These include delegation, performance reviews, team motivation, and communication. Furthermore, the course provides tools for handling difficult conversations and the course gives you secrets on how to balance oversight with freedom. The course may be a useful resource to those moving into the role of Department Head, especially for those transitioning into a position that is responsible for teams.
Training and Development Manager
A Training and Development Manager is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating training programs within an organization. Aspiring Training and Development Managers may find this course useful. The course dives into coaching techniques, which are essential in training. The course teaches how to divide tasks into chunks for learning, and what levels of freedom should be granted to the team. The course discusses how appraisals may be used to solve any problem. All of these concepts can aid a Training and Development Manager in their work.
Business Consultant
A Business Consultant provides expert advice to organizations to help them improve their performance. The course may be useful in the consultant's work with clients, as the course teaches the fundamentals of team management and leadership. The course discusses the importance of team motivation, delegation, and communication. This course may help one better understand what their clients are facing when it comes to workplace dynamics. This course could be a good addition to a consultant's skill set.
Sales Manager
A Sales Manager leads a team of sales professionals. The course teaches key management principles useful to this role. The course covers how to motivate the members of a team, communicate effectively, delegate properly, and give feedback with appraisals. These are all relevant to managing a sales team. Specifically, this course may be useful in teaching a sales manager how to empower the team to take ownership and deliver results. The course may be helpful for a sales manager who wants to improve leadership.
Nonprofit Manager
A Nonprofit Manager oversees the operations and programs of a nonprofit organization. The course on new management principles can be beneficial for individuals stepping into a leadership position in a nonprofit sector. The course may be helpful in teaching the principles of delegation, team motivation, and communication. The course discusses how to involve team members in planning and decision making, which is also useful in the nonprofit setting. A new manager will benefit from this course.
Customer Service Manager
A Customer Service Manager is in charge of a team that interacts directly with clients or customers. This course may bring additional skills to this role as the course discusses the principles of motivation, communication, and delegation that are also valuable when working with customers. The course content may help a customer service manager in their job of leading a team, and in coaching and empowering them. A person in this role will find the course may help in team dynamics, performance appraisals, and communication.
Account Manager
An Account Manager cultivates ongoing relationships with clients. Aspects of management include communication, delegation, and team management. These elements are directly discussed in the course designed for new managers. The course discusses communication techniques that help get buy in. It also highlights how to manage up, down, and sideways. These skills might be useful in managing client relationships as well as internal interactions. The course may provide a good foundation for understanding management principles.
Project Coordinator
A Project Coordinator supports project managers in planning, organizing, and executing projects. The skills taught in this course may help in the work of a project coordinator, by teaching them how to divide large tasks into manageable pieces, and how to delegate those pieces to other team members. The course discusses how to motivate team members, which is useful when coordinating with a project team. This course may help new project coordinators who wish to understand the dynamics of team management and communication.
Administrative Supervisor
An Administrative Supervisor oversees the day to day tasks within an office or department. This course may be useful as it introduces new managers to concepts like delegation, motivation, communication, and performance appraisals. Moreover, this course may help develop a supervisor's management skills. The course teaches how to balance monitoring with freedom, and how to empower teams. These principles may be applicable when managing administrative tasks and personnel.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in New Manager: learn to be a great leader [practical tips].
Provides a foundational understanding of personal and interpersonal effectiveness, which are crucial for leadership. It emphasizes principles like proactivity, beginning with the end in mind, and seeking first to understand, then to be understood. These habits directly relate to motivating teams, communicating effectively, and building strong relationships, all key skills for a new manager. Reading this book before the course will provide a solid framework for understanding the course's practical tips.
Focuses on how to be a good boss by providing actionable advice on giving and receiving feedback. It emphasizes the importance of caring personally and challenging directly. This is highly relevant to the course's focus on performance appraisals and difficult conversations. Reading this book after the course will help reinforce the importance of honest and empathetic communication in leadership.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser