Advanced Management Skills

Great managers can transform teams, drive positive change, and create productive workplace cultures. As managers become more experienced, new challenges arise requiring more than just operational oversight.

The benefits of high-quality management are clear, and the cost of poor management can be significant. In the UK, ineffective management is estimated to cost employers £84 billion annually through lost productivity and staff turnover. This course will leave you better equipped to create engaged, high-performing teams and deliver lasting impact across your organisation.

Who should attend

This course assumes a solid understanding of foundational management concepts. It is ideal for individuals who have already completed our Transition to Management course, although this is not a prerequisite.

It is designed for managers with more than 3 years of experience looking to deepen their leadership and management capabilities and professionals preparing for more senior management roles.

Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify and adapt your leadership style to improve team performance and workplace climate
• Coach team members effectively using structured models
• Apply strategic thinking to align your team’s goals with broader organisational objectives
• Lead change initiatives confidently and encourage a mindset of continuous improvement

Programme Overview

1. Understanding Your Leadership and Management Style

Effective management begins with self-awareness. Learn more about your personal leadership and management style and understand how it shapes your team. You’ll gain insights into how your approach influences motivation, performance, and overall team climate.

Topics include:

• Understanding your leadership and management style
• How your style impacts climate, motivation, and performance
• Assessing your current style and reflecting on how to use alternatives

2. Coaching for Performance

Using coaching techniques can help to drive team success. You’ll learn the difference between coaching and managing, explore structured coaching models, and practise techniques to build trust and psychological safety with your team members.

Topics include:

• Coaching vs. managing: when and how to coach
• Coaching frameworks
• Creating psychological safety in conversations and teams

3. Strategic Thinking in Action

Strategic thinking is essential to align your team’s work with broader organisational objectives. Learn more about key tools and frameworks to help you think beyond day-to-day operations, turn strategy into actionable objectives, and contribute to long-term success.

Topics include:

• Aligning team goals with organisational strategy
• How your leadership style influences strategic clarity and execution

4. Leading Change

Change is constant and managing it well is a fundamental leadership and management skill. Learn practical frameworks to lead change initiatives, overcome resistance, and build a culture of adaptability. You’ll explore change models and learn how to guide your team through transitions with confidence.

Topics include:

• Planning and managing change
• Common pitfalls during periods of change and overcoming resistance
• Fostering a culture of continuous improvement

Open Course Information

In-House Course Information

To learn more or discuss your specific requirements, please get in touch with us.

The Trainers

This course is facilitated by Pippa Blessett and Mike Williams.

Pippa Blessett is a dynamic leadership and management specialist with over 20 years of experience driving transformation and innovation. With a sharp commercial mindset and cross-sector expertise, she has worked with organisations of all sizes, from major corporations like Sainsbury’s Argos and Pearson Group to SMEs and public sector bodies. Her background in marketing strategy and communications, combined with nearly a decade of consultancy experience, helps her to inspire others, drive cultural change, and enhance organisational performance.

Mike Williams has spent many years in management and leadership development, delivering executive leadership courses for global organisations, including Ford Motor Finance, and working internationally in strategy, leadership, and business sales development. Most recently, he completed a four-year assignment in manufacturing and engineering, driving strategic priorities in complex environments. As a business development director, he contributed to significant revenue growth, international expansion, and defence-related sales. Passionate about staying current, Mike blends recent industry experience with proven management theories.