Manager Essentials
Everyone’s had bad bosses. We help prevent them.
The next cohort opens soon.
Sign up to get more information on our next 10-week Manager Essentials program, a practical leadership and management course for new and experienced managers.
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Industry-Leading Organization
The Success Of Your Team Depends On Your Managers. Are They Getting The Training They Need?
All too often, new managers are promoted with little to no formal support, left to navigate leadership challenges through trial and error. Without the right tools and knowledge, they struggle with coaching skills, communication, and team development. That’s why we created Manager Essentials.
WHAT IS THE MANAGER ESSENTIALS PROGRAM?
WHAT You Get
- 10 expert-led sessions (15 hours total)
- 3 x 1:1 leadership coaching sessions
- 1 industry-leading, science-backed assessment
- Hands-on tools and strategies to apply immediately
- A supportive peer network
- A professional certificate recognizing your leadership development
- Options for virtual cohorts, 1:1 sessions, or a dedicated program for your organization
MANAGER ESSENTIALS OVERVIEW
Winter 2027 Cohort
Spring 2027 Cohort
Spring 2027 Cohort
Registration Open
Six virtual workshops via Zoom (15 hours total)
Three 1:1 leadership coaching sessions
One industry-leading assessment
April 7th | BUILDING YOUR MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION
April 14th | LEADING YOURSELF FIRST
April 21st | COMMUNICATION THAT BUILDS TRUST
April 28th | COACHING & DEVELOPING OTHERS
May 5th | FEEDBACK & DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS
May 12th | PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY
May 19th | TEAM CULTURE & PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY
May 26th | BUILDING & LEADING EFFECTIVE TEAMS
June 2nd | TALENT DECISIONS & MANAGING UP
June 9th | CAREER CONVERSATIONS & HIRING
Sessions run every Wednesday for 10 weeks
11:00-12:30 pm PST | 2-3:30 pm EST
WHAT IS THE MANAGER ESSENTIALS PROGRAM?
A Virtual Management Training Program That Provides Proven Frameworks and Actionable Guidance Your Managers Can Act On Right Away.
Manager Essentials is designed for organizations that need practical, high-impact leadership training, without the overhead of a corporate program. This cohort-based management course brings together new and emerging managers from diverse industries, creating a dynamic learning experience that delivers immediate, real-world results
WHAT A TYPICAL WEEK LOOKS LIKE
EVERY WEEK
90-min live group session
AFTER EACH SESSION
30–60 min independent work
One focused application task: a reflection, a conversation to have, or a framework to try with your team. No busywork.
COACHING
3 × 45-min 1:1 sessions
TOTAL COMMITMENT
~2.5 hrs per week
Three Ways to
Experience Manager Essentials
1:1
Quarterly Program
Company-Led
Session Information
Session 1 | Building Your Management & Leadership Foundation
- Defining their own leadership and management philosophy
- Understanding core managerial responsibilities and expectations
- Developing situational leadership skills to adapt to different team members and circumstances
- Applying motivation theories to inspire and engage their teams
Session 1 | Building Your Management & Leadership Foundation
- Defining their own leadership and management philosophy
- Understanding core managerial responsibilities and expectations
- Developing situational leadership skills to adapt to different team members and circumstances
- Applying motivation theories to inspire and engage their teams
Session 1 | Building Your Management & Leadership Foundation
- Defining their own leadership and management philosophy
- Understanding core managerial responsibilities and expectations
- Developing situational leadership skills to adapt to different team members and circumstances
- Applying motivation theories to inspire and engage their teams
Session 1 | Building Your Management & Leadership Foundation
- Defining their own leadership and management philosophy
- Understanding core managerial responsibilities and expectations
- Developing situational leadership skills to adapt to different team members and circumstances
- Applying motivation theories to inspire and engage their teams
Session 1 | Building Your Management & Leadership Foundation
- Defining their own leadership and management philosophy
- Understanding core managerial responsibilities and expectations
- Developing situational leadership skills to adapt to different team members and circumstances
- Applying motivation theories to inspire and engage their teams
Session 1 | Building Your Management & Leadership Foundation
- Defining their own leadership and management philosophy
- Understanding core managerial responsibilities and expectations
- Developing situational leadership skills to adapt to different team members and circumstances
- Applying motivation theories to inspire and engage their teams
Session 1 | Building Your Management & Leadership Foundation
- Defining their own leadership and management philosophy
- Understanding core managerial responsibilities and expectations
- Developing situational leadership skills to adapt to different team members and circumstances
- Applying motivation theories to inspire and engage their teams
Session 1 | Building Your Management & Leadership Foundation
- Defining their own leadership and management philosophy
- Understanding core managerial responsibilities and expectations
- Developing situational leadership skills to adapt to different team members and circumstances
- Applying motivation theories to inspire and engage their teams
Session 1 | Building Your Management & Leadership Foundation
- Defining their own leadership and management philosophy
- Understanding core managerial responsibilities and expectations
- Developing situational leadership skills to adapt to different team members and circumstances
- Applying motivation theories to inspire and engage their teams
Session 2 | Leading Self First
- Recognizing personal triggers and patterns under pressure
- Building emotional regulation and self-management skills
- Strengthening time and energy management practices
- Modeling steadiness and accountability for their teams
Session 3 | Communication that Builds Trust
- Strengthening listening skills to improve understanding and clarity
- Reducing assumptions through direct, focused communication
- Creating space for open dialogue and diverse perspectives
- Building trust through consistency and follow-through
Session 4 | Feedback & Difficult Conversations
- Delivering reinforcing and redirecting feedback effectively
- Preparing for difficult conversations with clarity and intention
- Staying grounded and composed when emotions rise
- Repairing relationships when conversations do not go as planned
Session 5 | Coaching & Developing Others
- Adopting a coaching mindset to support growth
- Using questions to build ownership and problem-solving skills
- Supporting development through clear goals and feedback
- Creating practical development plans aligned to performance
Session 6 | Performance & Accountability
- Setting measurable expectations and defining success
- Monitoring progress and providing timely course correction
- Addressing performance gaps early and directly
- Balancing accountability with trust and autonomy
Session 7 | Team Culture & Psychological Safety
- Identifying behaviors that shape healthy team culture
- Practicing psychological safety in daily interactions
- Establishing clear norms and shared expectations
- Addressing negativity and disengagement constructively
Session 8 | Building & Leading Effective Teams
- Clarifying roles, responsibilities, and decision rights
- Navigating team conflict with structure and fairness
- Leveraging individual strengths to improve collaboration
- Running focused, productive team meetings
Session 9 | Talent Decisions & Managing Up
- Applying sound judgment in hiring and selection decisions
- Designing onboarding experiences that accelerate integration
- Aligning priorities and expectations with senior leaders
- Managing upward through clear communication and influence
Session 10 | Career Conversations & Leading Through Change
- Conducting meaningful career and growth conversations
- Supporting mobility and skill development within the team
- Leading through change with clarity and transparency
- Integrating learning into a practical leadership action plan
Why Plum Leadership Group?
Experienced
Enlightening
Tailored
increase in leadership capability
increase in confidence
increase in their sense of support from their employer
Explore Crucial Management Topics That Drive Meaningful Change
From building emotional regulation skills to leading tough conversations, Manager Essentials gives participants real-world advice in the areas that make the biggest impact.
Defining management
philosophy
Building emotional regulation and modeling accountability
Creating consistent communication practices
Leading tough conversations and delivering feedback effectively
Adopting a coaching mindset to develop teams
Setting and achieving measurable expectations
Fostering psychological safety and creating healthy cultures
Navigating team conflict
Hiring and onboarding talent, and managing up
What leaders say about
working with Plum
The Arbutus Club
North Shore Orthodontics
Invicta Metals
Vernon Golf & Country Club
Point Grey Golf & Country Club
Mississaugua Golf and Country Club
PRICING
- 10 Weeks
- 3 x 1:1 Coaching sessions
- 1 Science-backed assessment
- Access to ongoing resources and an engaged peer network
Group discounts are available. Reach out to learn more.
Your investment
$2,195
Frequently Asked Questions About Manager Essentials
What does the new manager training program include?
- 10 live, 90-minute virtual sessions (15 hours total) facilitated by Lindsay Zubek, Founder of Plum Leadership Group
- 10 between-session application assignments (30–60 minutes each), so every concept gets used at work before the next session
- 3 private 45-minute 1:1 coaching sessions with Lindsay or a certified Plum coach, scheduled whenever you need them
- 1 science-backed leadership assessment with a group debrief
- Session workbooks and reference guides for every module
- A small peer cohort of 8–12 managers for shared learning
- A Plum Leadership Group professional certificate upon completion
Is this program right for first-time managers or experienced leaders?
Manager Essentials is for both new and seasoned managers; people who are managing for the first time, who’ve picked up skills on their own without formal training, or who are getting ready for more leadership responsibility. If you were promoted because you were great at the work and are now figuring out how to lead the people who do it, this program meets you where you are.
For senior or highly experienced leaders, Plum Leadership Group offers 1:1 executive coaching and custom learning programs designed for more advanced or individualized development.
How is Manager Essentials different from other leadership training programs?
Most leadership training is a one-and-done workshop or a self-paced video course. Manager Essentials combines three things most programs don’t: live cohort learning with peers, a structured application task after every single session, and private 1:1 coaching built into the program rather than sold as an add-on. The content itself is grounded in organizational psychology, neuroscience, and leadership development research, but it’s translated into language and situations that make sense for managers running real operations.
How much does Manager Essentials’ management skills training cost?
Manager Essentials is $2,195 USD per participant, and that covers the full program: all 10 live sessions, all 3 coaching sessions, the leadership assessment, workbooks and reference guides, and the certificate. There are no separate add-on fees. Group discounts are available for organizations enrolling 5 or more participants, so reach out to info@plumleadershipgroup.com for a quote.
Can we enroll multiple managers from our organization?
Yes. Manager Essentials is open to both individuals and organizations, and many companies enroll several managers in the same cohort. Cohorts run 8–12 participants. If you have a larger group or want a cohort tailored to your organization, we can also set up a customized, private cohort.
What industries do you serve with your leadership and management courses?
Do you offer group discounts?
Yes. Organizations enrolling 5 or more participants in the same Manager Essentials cohort qualify for a group discount. Reach out to info@plumleadershipgroup.com to discuss group enrollment, current pricing, or building a customized cohort for your team.
