A Startup's Guide to New Manager Training
Introduction
As startups grow and evolve, so does their need for effective management. New manager training is becoming increasingly important for startups and new managers need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to manage teams effectively and efficiently. Without proper training, new managers can face difficulties in leading their teams and achieving optimal success.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of new manager training, discuss the key components it should include, and share strategies for measuring success. Whether you’re a founder or a senior leader in a startup, this guide will help shape a robust new manager training program that drives growth and fosters a thriving work culture.
In this guide, you will:
- Learn the benefits of new manager training and identify the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities that new managers in startups need in order to be successful.
- Discover the elements of a comprehensive leadership training and development program.
- Distinguish between traditional training methods and superior coaching and mentoring models.
- Determine how to assess the effectiveness of the leadership training and development.
- Learn how to create an ongoing culture of leadership and a supportive environment for new managers.
- Discover useful resources for your culture of leadership toolkit.
Section 1: The Unique Challenges Faced by Startups in This Phase
The needs and challenges of small to medium-sized organizations in their startup phase are unique. For example, a rapidly growing startup may be faced with limited resources, in terms of both financial capital as well as human capital. Additionally, leaders are constantly faced with tight deadlines and constant change, putting pressure on them to make decisions quickly.
Leaders are faced with juggling priorities and wearing multiple hats in the startup environment. For example, as they grow their teams they may be faced with choosing the right person to hire, while still figuring out the ever-evolving organizational chart.
Because new managers in startups often wear so many hats, it may be impossible for them to be great at every part of their job, and people often only focus on the technical aspects of the job as indicators of success. However, being a people leader requires an additional set of soft skills that new managers need help, not only recognizing but developing as well. These skills may include fundamental leadership, communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills.
Recognizing where these skills and knowledge gaps are occurring so that new managers can perform at peak levels is critical to the overall success of the startup.
Section 2: Why Effective New Manager Training Matters
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, it’s not uncommon for startups to be selective with where they spend their capital, and training for new managers should be seen as an investment, not an expense.
Research consistently shows that when teams are led by great leaders, they outperform teams with deficient leadership. Therefore, the success of your startup depends largely on your level of leadership and the level of leadership skills the new managers in your organization possess.
If a manager isn’t thriving, team performance and productivity nosedives, and attrition rates climb which impacts the loss of tacit knowledge resulting in a ripple effect of negative team dynamics, and employee satisfaction.
Overall, when startups invest in new manager training, they will recognize the benefits in the form of less turnover, higher employee engagement, and better team performance across the board.
Section 3: Identifying the Skills Needed for Startup Managers
It is important to take the time to identify which soft skills are most important for your startup. By identifying both the skills needed and the challenges your startup is facing, new managers will be better equipped to handle the demands of a startup environment and become successful in their roles.
For micro teams with a flat organizational structure, it may be most important to work on things like communication and team management. For rapidly growing organizations, time management, delegation, and effective decision-making may top the list.
The simple fact is that every organization is different and as your startup grows, your needs may become more complex. It’s important to take time to determine which core competencies are most important for your new management team to possess right away and which ones can be acquired over time.
Here are some of the most common topics :
- Developing Strong Communication Skills
- How To Give Effective Feedback
- Time Management Skills
- Effective Delegating
- Goal Settings
- Performance Coaching
- 1-on-1 Meetings
- Conflict Resolution
While it’s not uncommon for new managers to read books on leadership or attend webinars, it’s important to recognize that these methods typically don’t result in long-lasting change that will result in tangible results for your organization.
So then, what does it take for leadership training to be more effective and stick?
Section 4: Designing an Effective & Comprehensive New Manager Training Program
There are two very important pieces to ensuring that leadership training results in long-lasting, positive change that will result in tangible benefits for your startup.
Effective training programs consider different learning styles and preferences because they recognize that not only does everyone learn differently, but they are in diverse roles in unique organizations.
Additionally, since startups can evolve quickly, it’s not uncommon for a new manager’s role to also take on different responsibilities over the course of the training program. First-time managers not only are making a physical shift into a new role but they also need to make the mental shift from individual contributor to first-time manager and need help navigating that transition successfully.
Because of this, it’s important for there to be customizable solutions that fit each startup’s culture and individual goals.
Effective leadership training programs will:
- Provide a comprehensive approach to behavioral change which includes, independent work, group sessions, and individual mentoring/coaching.
- Offer assessments such as 360-degree feedback surveys or other assessments that gather feedback and build self-assessment
- Equip participants with effective techniques and provide resources and tools to improve their leadership skills
- Include activities to put into practice the skills and techniques being learned
- Offer 1-on-1 coaching and personalized support
It’s important to remember that while traditional methods (such as books and webinars) are great for the delivery of information, they do not help with the implementation of the theories and practices that result in actual performance improvement. More importantly, there is no accountability or measure for whether improvement was actually made.
How our Leadership Accelerator can help: By being part of this program, your managers will balance self-paced learning opportunities with interactive group sessions and confidential one-on-ones. This will help them incorporate practical experiences and real-world scenarios that are relevant to the challenges that startups face. They will also get access to a resource vault full of templates, tools, and best practices that will help them as they lead their teams, all of which are typically not accompanied when reading a book or attending a webinar.
Section 5: Measuring Success and Continuous Improvement
Assessing the effectiveness of manager training is essential for startups in order to ensure that new managers are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully lead and manage their teams.
By evaluating the results of the training program, startups can identify areas of improvement and make adjustments to ensure that the training is effective and that the new managers are able to successfully take on their roles.
There will be a number of ways that your startup can measure the success of the leadership training program. A few of the most common methods used to measure success are through pre- and post-program surveys, Employee Engagement Surveys, and 360-degree Feedback Surveys.
Additionally, startups can measure the impact of the training program by observing changes in the behavior and performance of team members. By assessing the effectiveness of the manager training, startups can ensure that the training program is meeting its goals and that new managers are provided with the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in their roles.
Section 6: Foster a Culture of Leadership
In order for any new manager leadership training to be a success, it is critical for startups to foster a culture of leadership. They can start by being the first ones to go through a leadership training program and then continue to model positive and effective leadership behaviors. This sets the stage for effective leadership throughout the organization, but it’s just the start.
Creating a supportive environment for new managers is essential for their success in a startup. This environment should encourage learning, growth, and collaboration. It should also provide resources and feedback to help new managers make the most of their training. This can include providing access to resources that can help them hone their skills, setting up regular meetings with mentors or coaches, and recognizing their successes.
It should be a safe space for open dialogue and constructive criticism. Managers should be encouraged to ask questions and seek advice from their colleagues. They should also have access to support from senior leadership, such as guidance on navigating corporate culture and responding to challenges. This includes providing feedback and guidance to managers so that they can address any challenges they might face. This will ensure that managers remain motivated and confident in their roles, leading to improved performance and success for the startup.
Finally, managers should be encouraged to use their own experiences and knowledge to contribute to the team’s success. By creating a supportive environment, startups can ensure new managers have the tools and resources they need to excel.
Section 7: Identifying and Utilizing Leadership Development Resources & Tools
While a leadership training program is vital, startups should also establish a resource library so that new managers can continue to improve their skills via self-paced learning post-program.
Resources can include online courses, books, podcasts, and videos. They can also include workshops, seminars, and conferences. Having access to a variety of leadership development resources allows managers to identify areas where they need to grow and improve and then develop their skills in a more structured way.
When selecting resources, it is important to consider the goals of the organization and the needs of the new manager. It is also important to ensure that the resources are up-to-date and relevant to the organization’s goals. By identifying and utilizing leadership development resources, startups can ensure that their new managers have the right skills and knowledge to succeed.
Conclusion
Building a strong foundation of new manager training is crucial for startup success. By investing in the development of your managers, you lay the groundwork for elevated employee engagement, enhanced team performance, and overall organizational growth.
By following this guide, startups can establish a robust and tailored training program for their new managers, empowering them to become effective leaders who drive the growth and success of the organization.
With Archova, you’ll have an expert by your side who is qualified to help you navigate this process, equip your managers with the necessary skills they need to navigate the unique challenges of the startup environment, and assess the effectiveness of the training program. Remember, consistent support and individualized training are key to helping your managers thrive and ensuring the long-term success of your startup.
Learn more about Archova’s new manager training program, the Leadership Accelerator, here.
