Training Management Skills

Tips for making the right choice

1. Determine your learning goal – which skills do you want to acquire?
2. Different kinds of management
3. Education programme or training course?
4. Coaching and feedback

Determine your learning goal – which skills do you want to acquire?

It is very important to have a clear picture of your learning goal. Which skills do you wish to have acquired by the end of the course? You need this starting point in your search, so think carefully of what exactly it is you wish to learn.

For instance, do you need more self-confidence or to learn how to stand firm? Would you like to learn how to communicate effectively with your co-workers and how to motivate them in the best manner? Alternatively, do you want to learn how to provide them with constructive feedback? It takes a lot to adjust your style of leadership, and the right course can help you with that.

Different kinds of management

First, you need to determine where you want to follow the education programme or training and pick your provider of choice. Let your instinct guide you. Do you and the provider’s look, method and approach match? This is important, because if it feels right, you will be more at ease and able to get the best out of the training and yourself.
There are many different education programmes in management. For instance:

1. Executive management: in order to be a successful executive manager you need vision, tact, persuasiveness and self-insight. A course in executive management will help you gain insight into your skills and pitfalls.
2. Middle management: this course prepares you for one of the most versatile management positions within an organisation. The middle manager plays a pivotal role and is a link between lower and higher management.
3. Management coaching: the thought behind management coaching is that employees perform at their best when they hold responsibility for their own performances, and prove themselves doing just that.
4. (Personal/ professional) leadership: leadership goes beyond management and focuses more on the organisational structures than on the employees’ individual achievement.
5. Situational leadership: this approach to management starts from the idea that everyone has his or her own unique way and/or style of management. After all, every employee is different, and needs to be managed accordingly.

If possible, consult the provider before picking your course. Together you can determine your learning goal, so you can decide which training suits you best.

Education programme or training course?

There is a distinction between an education programme and a training course in management. Broadly speaking, if you are starting out in a management position you will benefit more from a basic education, where you will learn skills such as communication skills, strategy and marketing. An education programme will usually take more time.

Do you already have managerial experience and would you like to focus on particular issues and acquire specific skills? Perhaps a training course that highlights specific behavioural changes and skills would be more fitting to your needs. A course like this provides more time to see to your personal needs.

Coaching and feedback

Following an education programme or training course in management is a very personal matter. Before you decide which skills you need to develop or improve, first you’ll have to look at yourself in a critical manner.
During a course, you’ll be confronted by questions like “Why is the communication between you and your employees not working?”. You can only tackle these issues if you have thought out your topics in advance.

Whilst making your choice, you can consult your colleagues to help you determine your learning goal. Feedback by your nearest colleagues can provide you with valuable information about your qualities and the skills you could improve. For instance, ask your colleagues about:

1. the way you provide feedback. Is it received as pleasant?
2. your manner of communication. Is it effective?

That way, you will be fully prepared and able to focus on the skills you can develop further.
During your quest for the right course, ask yourself every step of the way: does this suit me? Does the provider suit me? Do I feel comfortable with the people there? Does the course feel right? Make use of the fact that you have a huge choice in what is on offer. You’ll see, management is something you can learn.