What Is New Manager Training? (With Training Topics)

Updated 28 September 2022

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Constructive management is vital to the output, productivity and reputation of any organisation. An organisation can implement a manager training programme to ensure consistency with its leadership development practices. Understanding what a training programme for managers is, can help you aid in the establishment of an effective programme that produces effective managers that remain with an organisation for the long term.

In this article, we discuss what a new manager training programme is, what its benefits are and what topics it covers so that you can participate in the development of a successful strategy.

What Is A New Manager Training Programme?

A new manager training programme is a protocol that an organisation implements to prepare leaders to supervise the activities of other employees. This programme also prepares future leaders to oversee the activities of the organisation. It is a type of formal development programme that grants leaders the knowledge, skills and abilities they need to help a company reach its goals and interact with its employees. Some managers may pursue formal training, education and certifications individually to prepare for leadership roles, but a company-specific training programme can help managers better prepare for their future positions in specific organisations.

Benefits Of Training New Managers

Here are some key benefits of training new managers:

Improved manager confidence: A manager who receives thorough training may feel more confident in their role. They may communicate more efficiently with other department leaders and the employees who they supervise.
Increased retention: A new manager who understands their role within an organisation may be more likely to remain with the company for a long period. They may attempt to spend the length of their career with an organisation that makes them feel appreciated and empowered to perform well in their expected duties.
Better productivity: A good training programme for managers can improve the organisation's overall productivity. Knowledgeable managers can assist and motivate their employees and ensure that everyone has the resources they need to meet the company's objectives.

Skills New Managers Need To Develop

Here are some skills that new managers can benefit from developing:

Delegating responsibilities

A new manager can learn to understand the importance of delegating responsibilities instead of assuming tasks they do not have the time to complete themselves. This skill can help increase productivity within the organisation. A new manager can learn to pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of each team member and assign tasks accordingly. They may also learn how to trust employees to complete their assigned tasks without being overbearing.

Offering support to employees

A good training programme for managers includes education on how to offer support to employees. A manager can benefit from understanding how to help employees from different cultures, of different backgrounds and with different perspectives complete their expected duties. They can learn how to offer accommodations in compliance with legal regulations. They may also understand how to provide emotional support, motivation and assistance with completing tasks when the company experiences an influx of work.

Understanding technology

Even if a manager does not work in an industry like computer science or information technology (IT), they can still benefit from understanding how to work with basic technology. They can learn how to create slideshows, spreadsheets and documents using various software. These skills can help them deliver presentations, track employee details and prepare data reports.

Being comfortable with using various digital tools and software is essential for the success of any manager. They can benefit from gaining knowledge of technology trends, data privacy and cybersecurity. They may also develop technology troubleshooting skills so that they can help an organisation resume its operations if an IT professional is not present.

Prioritising tasks

A manager can learn to complete the tasks that are most essential to a company's success first. They can also learn to understand how to allocate limited resources to ensure that employees complete high-priority tasks efficiently and thoroughly. This skill can also help managers understand how to establish realistic expectations for their teams.

Conveying needs

It is important for a manager to be able to convey their needs to both employees and supervisors. A manager can benefit from knowing how to communicate the urgency and importance of a task so that employees can ensure its timely completion. A manager can also benefit from understanding how to communicate with supervisors in case they encounter a problem that they cannot solve on their own.

Common Topics For Training Programmes For New Managers

Here are some topics to consider including in a training programme for new managers:

Conflict management and resolution

Conflict may arise between employees, so it is important for a manager to resolve conflicts to maintain a friendly and productive work environment. Within a training programme for new managers, conflict management and resolution may cover different methods that a manager can implement. For example, the programme may advise the manager to conduct one-on-one meetings to hear each party's concerns.

Then, the manager may bring the two parties together to discuss their differences. The manager may act as a mediator and attempt to propose a solution that satisfies each party. A training programme may also have a separate section for managing conflicts with unsatisfied customers.

Employee coaching

A training programme for new managers may include segments on how managers can coach employees. These coaching techniques can allow managers to help employees realise their full potential. This kind of training can improve employee retention and allow for internal promotions. This segment of the training programme may also include instruction on how to offer constructive feedback to individual employees and motivate teams.

Goal setting

An adequate training programme for managers teaches leaders how to set realistic and measurable goals. These goals can be company-wide or department-wide objectives. A manager may also learn how to establish individual goals so that each employee can experience professional development.

Industry-specific regulations

It is important for a leadership training programme to include information on industry-specific regulations. When managers are aware of industry-specific regulations, they can ensure that the company and all of its employees remain in compliance. As you are aiding in the development of a training programme for managers, it is important to consider how often industry regulations change so that you can provide managers with the most current information.

Tips For Providing Training To New Managers

Here are some tips you can implement as you are developing a programme to train new managers:

Explain short-term and long-term objectives. Ensure that all new managers understand the company's short-term and long-term objectives. This can make it easier for managers to know each employee's role and how to motivate their teams to meet departmental objectives.
Highlight the importance of company culture. You can help integrate a new manager into the organisation more easily by introducing the importance of company culture early in their training. You can work to educate the new manager on the specific values that the organisation has, like a commitment to reducing waste, and encourage them to pass these values on to their employees.
Provide educational resources. You can help create a successful training programme for managers by providing ample educational resources like handbooks and study guides. You may also provide ongoing training resources after managers undergo their initial training processes so that they can continue to improve their skills and enhance their knowledge.
Focus on soft skills and hard skills. Managers need both hard and soft skills to excel in their roles. While it is important to offer training on hard skills that relate to their industry, it is also essential to provide training on soft skills like verbal communication and emotional intelligence.
Assign mentors. Locate the organisation's most experienced leaders who are available to provide mentorship. A new manager may respond well to someone who has worked for the company for a long time, and this experienced individual can offer personalised coaching, guidance and feedback.