Full course description
Date: 16 & 17 March 2026
Modality: In person
Duration: 2 days, 9am-4pm
Price: $2,409 (incl. GST). If you are eligible for the UoA Staff or Auckland Council Training Member discount, please email shortcourses@auckland.ac.nz
This two-day course is specifically designed for individuals who have been newly promoted and those who are on an upwards trajectory towards achieving management positions. The focus in on equipping them with the skills and mindset necessary for success as a manager.
People are often promoted to management positions based on their proven technical expertise and performance. Achieving success as a manager, however, requires different sets of skills and ways of thinking. Fundamentally, a manager has to move from 'doing the work' to leading and managing the team to get things done.
This practical hands-on course draws upon participants' experiences to focus on the critical competencies required for excellent management. Participants learn how to transition from 'doing the work' to leading and managing a team. It puts a strong emphasis on helping participants understand themselves and those they manage better. By gaining a deeper understanding of their own and others' behaviour, communication styles and what works when creating dynamic, productive teams, participants will be better equipped to lead and manage their team effectively. The course also delves into the latest management trends and challenges managers face in today's constantly evolving world of work.
Through a combination of tried and tested theory, discussion and group work you will explore real-life management challenges typically found in the workplace.
Short course structure and topics covered:
Day One
The work of being a manager is different to being an individual contributor
- Explore what it means to be a manager compared to being an individual contributor on a team.
Emotional Intelligence and self-reflection
- Discover how emotional intelligence, positive stereotyping and feedback can develop more trusting and productive relationships within your organisation.
Motivating others
- Gain practical tools to set clear objectives and reward performance in your team.
Coaching for performance
- Practice coaching to help staff set and achieve realistic work goals. This section will also look at the challenges of managing teams remotely.
Day Two
Leading and building teams
- Assess the current srage of your team's development and the impact of social roles on cohesion and performance. Develop strategies to build and sustain a high-performing team.
Communication and conflict
- Distinguish between organisational and individual responses to conflict. Learn to resolve organisational issues or coach individuals to develop a cosntructive conflict style.
- Understand how to influence key stakeholders for the betterment of your team and organisation.
Managing change
- Learn to lead staff through organisational changes and help them deal with the impact of change on their roles or position.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- Compare and contrast different management styles and explain when each might be most effective.
- Assess how your own behaviours and attitudes influence colleagues and adjust them to improve interactions.
- Analyse and apply key factors that contribute to building productive teams, such as trust, diversity and clear roles.
- Demonstrate communication and soft skills to resolve conflicts, provide constuctive feedback and coach team members.
- Use motivational techniques to inspire and sustain engagement and performance in others.
Benefits for you:
- Greater confidence in your role as a manager / team leader.
- Consistent and focused management practice.
- A proactive approach to working with staff to achieve results.
- Ability to influence others and resolve conflict.
Benefits for your organisation:
- More effective management.
- High performing teams.
- Improved organisational performance.
Who should attend? / any entry requirements?
- Managers looking to step into a management role.
- Recently promoted managers seeking new skills and frameworks.
- Experienced managers looking for a refresher in the fundamentals.
- Managers who are younger or less experienced than the teams they are leading.
You may also be interested in these courses
- Finance for Non-Financial Managers
- Projects Management
Previous participant reviews
"The facilitator's interactive, hands-on approach, with textbook-based learning made the information a lot easier to take on board The course was relevant and easily catred to the questions and experiences raised by myself and fellow students. It gave me a fresh perspective on the issues I regularly encounter and changed my approach to business."
Nathan Brand - Owner - Lucky Rentals
"The facilitator was great, understood our challenges and provided guidance and tools to put into practice for better outcomes."
Kruit Mehta - Team Leader - Instant Finance
"I enjoyed the oportunity to talk with people that I normally wouldn't meet and discuss each of our solutions to various workplace issues. I liked the role plays as they gave us an opportunity to work through techniques without it being too close to home."
Katrina Adams - Pharmacist - Westmere Pharmacy
If you would like to inquire about this course being run inhouse, please email shortcourses@auckland.ac.nz
Payment for short courses is normally by credit card. If you need to pay by invoice or require assistance, please email shortcourses@auckland.ac.nz. Please note that the University does not issue individual invoices for amounts less than $500 New Zealand dollars.