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

The Manager's Toolkit

A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work

Dr Chris Dewberry

4.7

Based on 4,309 ratings

, see reviews

Dr Chris Dewberry

The aim of this course is to give you a practical guide to managing people at work. It does not matter whether you are a first time manager in a shop or a middle manager in an office environment; the same skills apply to every work place. In the course you will engage with some HR theories and then see how they translate into every day working life.

At the end of the course we hope you will be better equipped to choose a suitable employee, to motivate and appraise your team, to manage conflict in the work place and to lead and make decision on a day to day basis.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

Two deals to help you save

Save money when you learn. Here are two deals and offers that may be relevant to this course.

All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

Valid until December 2

Annual Subscription

Invest in your career growth and save. Start your annual subscription to Coursera Plus and access 10,000+ programs.

Valid until March 12, 2027

Save 40% Off 3 Months

Access thousands of top-rated learning programs with a Coursera Plus monthly subscription and take 40% off 3 months for a limited time.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

The first week gives you a chance to do some preparatory reading which will give you a good general overview of the subject area before the teaching starts in week 2.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Dr Chris Dewberry, who are recognized for their work in human resources management

Examines HR theories and how they translate into real-world work situations

Develops core people management skills that are applicable to various work environments

Provides guidance on how to select, motivate, and appraise team members

Explores methods for managing conflict and making informed decisions in the workplace

Delivers a comprehensive understanding of people management

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

Practical skills for new managers

According to learners, this course provides a practical and applicable foundation for managing people at work. Many students praise the clear explanations and report being able to immediately use the strategies learned in their jobs. The course is particularly well-received by first-time managers or those new to formal leadership roles, covering core topics like interviewing, performance management, and conflict resolution effectively. While the course content is found to be highly relevant for its target audience, some more experienced managers note that the material can feel too basic, suggesting it may not offer significant new insights for seasoned professionals. Overall, the reviews indicate a largely positive experience, focusing on the course's value in providing essential, usable management skills.

Key management areas are covered well.

"The section on managing conflict was very insightful and practical."

"Learned useful techniques for performance reviews."

"The interviews module gave me a structured approach I needed."

"Content on leadership and decision making was clear and useful."

Excellent starting point for new roles.

"This course is perfect for anyone stepping into a management role for the first time."

"Provided a great introduction to fundamental management concepts."

"As a new manager, I found this toolkit incredibly helpful."

"Good basic introduction to managing people..."

Offers tips applicable right away.

"I could immediately apply the strategies learned in the workplace."

"The practical tips on handling difficult conversations were invaluable."

"...the concepts were easy to understand and immediately applicable."

"Gave me tools I could use right away..."

May lack depth for seasoned managers.

"Found some topics too basic, more suitable for those with no prior experience."

"While solid, it didn't offer many new insights for an experienced manager."

"I was hoping for more advanced discussions on complex managerial challenges..."

"...felt a bit surface-level on certain topics."

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 The Manager's Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work with these activities:

Read 'Leading Change' by John Kotter

Show steps

Gain insights from a renowned expert on change management to enhance understanding of course concepts.

View HBR's 10 Must Reads for Executive Teams on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book and take notes on key concepts and theories.
Identify practical examples of change management in your own workplace or industry.

Refresh management skills

Show steps

Review foundational management concepts to enhance comprehension of course materials.

Show steps

Review notes and presentations from previous management courses or workshops.
Read articles and blog posts on best practices in modern management.
Practice active listening and communication skills in daily interactions.

Conduct mock interviews

Show steps

Gain practical experience in interviewing techniques to improve confidence and effectiveness.

Browse courses on Interviewing

Show steps

Prepare a list of common interview questions and practice answering them.
Role-play mock interviews with a friend or colleague.
Seek feedback on interview performance and identify areas for improvement.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Explore online tutorials on conflict resolution

Show steps

Enhance understanding of conflict management strategies and techniques through guided online learning.

Browse courses on Conflict Resolution

Show steps

Search for online tutorials or courses on conflict resolution.
Select a tutorial that aligns with your learning objectives.
Follow the tutorial steps and complete any exercises or assessments.

Develop a leadership development plan

Show steps

Create a personalized plan to enhance leadership skills and align them with career goals.

Browse courses on Leadership Development

Show steps

Identify areas for leadership growth through self-assessment and feedback.
Research effective leadership practices and identify role models.
Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for leadership development.
Develop a plan outlining actions, resources, and timelines for achieving goals.

Attend a workshop on employee motivation

Show steps

Gain practical insights and learn effective strategies for motivating employees in the workplace.

Browse courses on Employee Motivation

Show steps

Research and identify workshops on employee motivation.
Register and attend the workshop.
Actively participate in discussions and exercises.
Implement strategies learned from the workshop in your own workplace.

Implement a performance management system

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience in designing and implementing a performance management system to enhance employee motivation and organizational effectiveness.

Browse courses on Performance Management

Show steps

Research and identify best practices in performance management.
Develop a performance management framework that aligns with organizational goals.
Implement the system, train managers, and provide ongoing support.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the system and make adjustments as needed.

Career center

Learners who complete The Manager's Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Human Resource Manager

Human Resource Managers oversee the employees of a company, often working with upper management to create big-picture plans and goals. This course will help you learn how to choose a suitable employee, motivate and appraise your team, to manage conflict in the work place and to lead and make decision on a day to day basis. If you want to get into a Human Resource Management role, this course is perfect for you.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resource Manager

Office Manager

An office manager is in charge of the day-to-day operations of an office, which can include managing employees, budgets, and projects. This course will help you to choose a suitable employee, to motivate and appraise your team, to manage conflict in the work place, and to lead and make decisions. These are all essential skills for any Office Manager, and this course will help you to develop them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Office Manager

Project Manager

Project managers plan, organize, and execute projects, often working with a team of people. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful project manager, including how to make decisions, manage conflict, and motivate your team. Many projects rely on collaboration from HR and the tactics and ideas you can learn here can help grow your career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Event Planner

Event planners coordinate and manage events, which can include everything from weddings to corporate conferences. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful event planner, including how to manage budgets, negotiate contracts, and work with vendors. Many events rely on HR for staffing, so knowing human resource tactics can give you a leg-up in the industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Event Planner

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers develop and execute marketing campaigns, which can include advertising, public relations, and social media. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful marketing manager, including how to develop a marketing strategy, manage a budget, and measure the results of your campaigns. You can use your knowledge of human resources to help build and manage effective marketing teams.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

Sales managers lead and motivate sales teams, which can include setting sales goals, developing sales strategies, and providing training. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful sales manager, including how to manage a team, motivate employees, and close deals. Being in sales often means interacting with HR departments and an expertise in the field can give you an advantage.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Operations Manager

Operations managers oversee the day-to-day operations of a business, which can include managing employees, budgets, and projects. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful operations manager, including how to make decisions, manage conflict, and motivate your team. Operations and HR departments work hand-in-hand, so expertise in either field will make you a valuable asset.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Customer Service Manager

Customer service managers oversee the customer service department of a business, which can include managing employees, budgets, and projects. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful customer service manager, including how to manage a team, motivate employees, and resolve customer issues. A major aspect of customer service is interacting with and helping people, which is a skill developed through HR techniques.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Service Manager

Training and Development Manager

Training and development managers oversee the training and development programs of a business, which can include developing training materials, delivering training sessions, and evaluating training programs. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful training and development manager, including how to develop training materials, deliver training sessions, and evaluate training programs. Knowing the intricacies of training from an HR perspective is invaluable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Training and Development Manager

Compensation and Benefits Manager

Compensation and benefits managers oversee the compensation and benefits programs of a business, which can include developing compensation plans, administering benefits programs, and managing payroll. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful compensation and benefits manager, including how to develop compensation plans, administer benefits programs, and manage payroll. HR revolves heavily around compensation and benefits, so a course in this area will help you succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compensation and Benefits Manager

Employee Relations Manager

Employee relations managers oversee the employee relations programs of a business, which can include developing employee relations policies, resolving employee grievances, and managing employee communications. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful employee relations manager, including how to develop employee relations policies, resolve employee grievances, and manage employee communications. Employee Relations is a branch of HR, so an HR background will help you excel in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Employee Relations Manager

Recruitment Manager

Recruitment managers oversee the recruitment programs of a business, which can include developing recruitment strategies, managing recruiting campaigns, and screening job applicants. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful recruitment manager, including how to develop recruitment strategies, manage recruiting campaigns, and screen job applicants. The first step in managing a team is hiring a great team, and you can learn how to better do that with this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Recruitment Manager

Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Diversity and inclusion managers oversee the diversity and inclusion programs of a business, which can include developing diversity and inclusion policies, implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives, and managing diversity and inclusion training. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful diversity and inclusion manager, including how to develop diversity and inclusion policies, implement diversity and inclusion initiatives, and manage diversity and inclusion training. HR is responsible for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, so this course is a natural fit for a D&I role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Payroll Manager

Payroll managers oversee the payroll programs of a business, which can include processing payroll, managing payroll taxes, and issuing paychecks. This course may help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful payroll manager, including how to process payroll, manage payroll taxes, and issue paychecks. A course in this area may help you succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Payroll Manager

Benefits Manager

Benefits managers oversee the benefits programs of a business, which can include developing benefits plans, administering benefits programs, and managing benefits costs. This course may help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful benefits manager, including how to develop benefits plans, administer benefits programs, and manage benefits costs. A course in this area may help you succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Benefits Manager

Reading list

We've selected 27 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 The Manager's Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work.

Human Resource Management

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of human resource management concepts, practices, and theories. It covers a wide range of topics relevant to the course, including recruitment, selection, performance management, and conflict resolution.

The Manager's Toolkit

Two deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Practical skills for new managers

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses

Coursera Buyer Protection & Guarantee

7-Day Free Trial & Free Audit

14-Day Refund Guarantee

Verified Academic & Industry Partner