Management Training

Strong frontline management is increasingly critical as organizations navigate rapid change, evolving workplace expectations, and growing demands for effective leadership. This entry level management and leadership course introduces essential management concepts with a strong emphasis on people leadership—the skill area most closely tied to team performance, retention, and productivity. Designed for individuals entering management or transitioning into supervisory roles, the course reflects...

 
SHARE
6 Months / 135 Course Hrs
Open Enrollment
Offered in partnership with your preferred school

North Iowa Area Community College

Change School
Learning method

for additional information

Course code: GES406

What you will learn

  • Apply essential people management skills to lead, motivate, and support a team, including communication, coaching, goal‑setting, and performance management
  • Use appropriate leadership styles and decision‑making techniques to address day‑to‑day workplace challenges, conflict, and change at the team level
  • Plan and execute work effectively by applying foundational management practices such as time management, project basics, prioritization, and operational discipline
  • Interpret and apply entry‑level business concepts—including budgeting, financial awareness, and controlling—to support organizational goals
  • Demonstrate ethical, inclusive, and professional management practices aligned with organizational culture, legal considerations, and modern workplace expectations

How you will benefit

  • Step confidently into a first‑time or entry‑level management role with a clear understanding of your responsibilities and expectations as a manager
  • Make more effective day‑to‑day decisions that improve team performance, accountability, and results
  • Communicate more clearly and professionally with direct reports, peers, and leadership, strengthening trust and credibility
  • Reduce common management challenges—such as performance issues, conflict, and miscommunication—by using proven, practical management strategies
  • Build a strong foundation for career growth and advancement by developing transferable management skills valued across industries and work environments

How the course is taught

  • Self-paced, online course
  • 6 Months to complete
  • Open enrollment, begin anytime
  • 135 course hours
  1. Introduction to Management Principles
    1. Introduction to Management
    2. The Core Functions of Management
    3. Management Trends and Principles
    4. Technology and AI in Management
  2. The Role and Responsibilities of a Manager
    1. Understanding the Core Roles
    2. Putting Management into Practice: Functions and Impact
    3. The Four Functions in Action
    4. The New Manager Transition
  3. Building a Personal Development Plan, Your Leadership Blueprint
    1. Leadership Self-Development & EQ
    2. Assessing Your Leadership Toolkit
    3. A Framework for Self-Assessment
    4. Constructing Your Leadership Blueprint
    5. Self Assessments
  4. Corporate Culture in the Management Context
    1. Understanding Corporate Culture
    2. Culture Guides the Manager's Role
    3. Cultivating a Healthy Culture
  5. Ethics and Social Responsibility
    1. Foundations of Managerial Ethics
    2. Your Decision-Making Toolkit
    3. Building an Ethical Culture
  6. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEIB)
    1. Foundations of an Inclusive Workplace
    2. Creating an Inclusive Workplace
    3. The Strategic Value of Diverse Teams
  7. Strategic vs. Operational Thinking
    1. Defining the Two Managerial Mindsets
    2. Becoming a Strategic Thinker
    3. Bridging Strategy and Operations
  8. Goal Setting and Prioritization
    1. The Foundations of Goal Setting
    2. Frameworks for Effective Goals
    3. Management by Objectives and KPIs
    4. Managing Goals in a Dynamic World
  9. Planning and Execution
    1. Foundations of Effective Planning
    2. From Plan to Action
    3. Modern and Adaptive Planning
  10. Decision-Making
    1. Foundations of Managerial Decision-Making
    2. A Practical Process for Making Decisions
    3. Decision-Making Biases
    4. Collaboration, Innovation, and Learning
  11. Time and Project Management Fundamentals
    1. Mastering Time Management
    2. Delegation
    3. Project Management Foundations
    4. Project Tools and Teamwork
  12. Managing Human Talent
    1. Finding the Right People
    2. Nurturing Your Team Through Onboarding, Development, and Feedback
    3. The Manager's Responsibility: Rewards and Compliance
  13. Managing Change
    1. The Foundations of Change and Innovation
    2. Leading and Sustaining Change
  14. Customer Relationship Management
    1. Foundations of Customer-Centric Management
    2. Executing the Customer-Centric Playbook
    3. Strategy, Loyalty, and Technology
  15. Leadership
    1. The Foundations of Effective Leadership
    2. Understanding Your Team and Building Trust
    3. Leadership Styles in Action
    4. Modern Leadership Challenges
  16. Motivating Employees
    1. The Foundations of Motivation
    2. Applying Motivational Theories in Practice
    3. Shaping Behavior
  17. Team Building and Collaboration
    1. Foundations of Effective Teams
    2. Applying Motivational Theory to Enhance Team Dynamics
    3. The Team Life Cycle
    4. Psychological Safety
    5. Strategies for Building Cohesion in Modern Teams
  18. Managing Communication and Conflict
    1. The Foundations of Effective Communication
    2. Navigating Workplace Conflict
    3. High-Stakes Communication and Influence
  19. Controlling
    1. The Fundamentals of Organizational Control
    2. Modern Frameworks for Control
    3. Finance for New Managers
    4. Strategies for Staying on Course
  20. Career Planning
    1. Building Your Management Résumé
    2. Mastering the Management Interview
    3. Execute Your Job Search

Deven Matthews

Deven Matthews is a tenured professor with over a decade of higher education experience and extensive expertise in course design, hybrid instruction, and applied learning. An accomplished author and curriculum developer, he specializes in translating complex management concepts into practical, skill-based learning. Deven is known for mentoring students and creating engaging, career-ready programs that bridge theory and real-world practice.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to complete this course. No prior management experience or formal business training is required.

This course is intended for individuals who are new to management, aspiring managers preparing for leadership roles, and current professionals seeking a clearer understanding of management responsibilities, best practices, and foundational people‑management skills.

 

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook device.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 10 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 12 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Microsoft Office or equivalent (not included in enrollment).
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following digital textbook for the Management Training course is accessed via links in the course lessons:

  • Management, 15th Edition, by Richard Daft (eBook)

Salaries vary by level, with entry-level or first-line managers generally earning between $55,000 and $75,000 annually, and Glassdoor estimates an average of around $70,000 per year for these roles. Mid-level managers typically earn between $80,000 and $110,000 per year, with reported averages around $87,800 annually. Overall, most management positions fall within the $100,000 to $120,000 range per year. Compensation can vary widely based on factors such as industry, experience, company size, and location.

A manager is a professional responsible for overseeing people, tasks, and resources to achieve organizational goals efficiently and effectively. They play a central role in coordinating work by planning, organizing, leading, and monitoring performance to ensure objectives are met. Managers also serve as a critical link between leadership and employees. They communicate expectations, support their teams, solve problems, and make decisions that drive productivity and success. In essence, managers ensure work gets done by organizing resources, guiding team members, and keeping operations on track while contributing to overall organizational growth.

No.

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.