Effective Management: Essential Manager Skills

Effective Management: Essential Manager Skills

Instructor: Wiley-Expert Edge Course Instructors

Access provided by Xavier School of Management, XLRI

16 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

16 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Build trust through consistent, structured one-on-ones
Deliver feedback using a clear, four-step model that drives change
Coach team members to improve performance and develop skills

Details to know

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Assessments

16 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 16 modules in this course

Based on the best-selling book, The Effective Manager, by Mark Horstman, Kate Braun, and Sarah Sentes. Effective management is at the heart of every successful organization. This course equips professionals with practical, behavior-based techniques to build trust, enhance communication, and lead teams effectively in today’s hybrid and remote work environments.

Learners will discover actionable methods for delivering impactful feedback, coaching for growth, and mastering the art of delegation. Each module emphasizes applying these skills directly to real workplace scenarios, ensuring that participants not only understand the principles but can use them to achieve measurable results. What sets this course apart is its focus on practical execution—combining proven management frameworks with real-world examples and exercises. The result is a repeatable system that helps managers strengthen their leadership capabilities and drive consistent team performance. This course is ideal for both new and experienced managers looking to enhance their leadership effectiveness, improve team dynamics, and build long-term managerial confidence. No prior familiarity with Manager Tools concepts is required. From The Effective Manager Copyright © 2023 by Manager Tools Publishing. All rights reserved. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. Published simultaneously in Canada. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

In this section, we define an effective manager by measurable results, emphasizing the need for quantified key results and applying the 'Mission First, People Always' principle to guide decision-making and ensure organizational success.

What's included

2 videos1 reading1 assignment

In this section, we cover the four evidence-based management behaviors that drive results and retention across all organizational contexts.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

The Four Critical Behaviors - Overview Video1 minute

6 readingsTotal 70 minutes

Introduction10 minutes
1. The Most Effective Behavior Managers Can Engage in Is Getting to Know Their People20 minutes
Trust10 minutes
The Third Important Behavior Is Asking for More Performance10 minutes
The Fourth Critical Behavior Is Pushing Work Down10 minutes
How Does This Change in a Remote or Hybrid Environment?10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

The Four Critical Behaviors in Effective Management10 minutes

In this section, we explore the importance of designing management practices that are both teachable and sustainable, ensuring team scalability, organizational resilience, and consistent performance across roles and environments.

What's included

1 video1 reading1 assignment

In this section, we learn how weekly 30-minute One-on-Ones build trust, reduce interruptions, and save time by enabling proactive leadership and stronger team connections.

What's included

1 video7 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Get to Know Your People: One-on-Ones - Overview Video1 minute

7 readingsTotal 80 minutes

Introduction10 minutes
Weekly10 minutes
30 Minutes20 minutes
The Manager Takes Notes10 minutes
Pushback on Note Taking10 minutes
Can I Do O3s Over the Phone?10 minutes
I'm Too Busy10 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Mastering the Art of Meaningful One-on-One Meetings10 minutes

In this section, we explore how to conduct effective One-on-Ones for remote and hybrid teams, emphasizing structured check-ins to build trust, close communication gaps, and sustain performance through intentional, consistent engagement.

What's included

1 video1 reading1 assignment

In this section, we’ll learn how to start running One-on-Ones the Manager Tools way.

What's included

1 reading1 assignment

In this section, we introduce the Manager Tools Feedback Model to deliver clear, respectful performance feedback. By describing objective behavior, analyzing impact, and guiding future actions, managers gain a repeatable method for effective, development-focused communication.

What's included

1 video10 readings1 assignment

1 videoTotal 1 minute

Talk About Performance Feedback - Overview Video1 minute

10 readingsTotal 130 minutes

Introduction20 minutes
Ask10 minutes
Describe Behavior10 minutes
The Words You Say20 minutes
Discussions About Intent Are Worthless10 minutes
Asking for Reasons Reinforces the Wrong Things10 minutes
How Long Is Too Long to Wait?10 minutes
How Does Feedback Sound?10 minutes
Maybe Delay or Defer10 minutes
It's Too Positive and Systemic Feedback20 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Mastering Constructive Feedback in the Workplace10 minutes

In this section, we explore delivering effective verbal feedback to remote direct reports through consistent O3s, emphasizing trust, clarity, and the distinction between feedback and praise to maintain productivity and alignment.

What's included

1 video2 readings1 assignment

In this section, we learn that effective feedback delivery requires trust built through 12 weeks of consistent Manager Tools One on Ones (MTO3s) before introducing the Manager Tools Feedback Model, ensuring readiness and reducing resistance.

What's included

1 video2 readings1 assignment

In this section, we explore the DBQ coaching model, a structured, weekly process enabling managers to drive sustained performance improvement through measurable goals, collaborative resource planning, and actionable plans with just 5-10 minutes of effort per team member.

What's included

1 video2 readings1 assignment

In This Section, we will learn how coaching differs when working with remote directs.

What's included

1 reading1 assignment

In this section we will explore how to get started with rolling out your coaching.

What's included

1 reading1 assignment

In this section, we explore how effective delegation scales team productivity by shifting focus from technical tasks to empowering people. Using the Manager Tools Delegation Model, managers learn to assign work strategically, build team capability, and drive sustainable growth through empowered execution.