Top 5 most in-demand management skills training courses for leaders 2023
As organisations continue to navigate the sea of surprises that 2023 continues to deliver after a few years of constant unexpected twists and turns, its no surprise that people managers remain the single most influential factor in creating engaged teams. Employees look to managers and leaders for guidance, direction and support, and in times where change is at its most unpredictable, often turbulent and unsettling, employees need managers who they feel are trustworthy, authentic, emotionally intelligent and dependable.
In our blog back published in September 2021 – Top Five Management Skills for 2023 and beyond – we shared the skills that leaders and managers need to develop to stay ahead in 2023, based on our experiences and backed by extensive research.
So as we are mid-way through February its been interesting and somewhat refreshing to see that the interpersonal skills and qualities that underpin great management and leadership are very much at the forefront in relation to what employers want from existing managers and future leaders.
Here’s our hit-list of employer’s top 5 ‘most wanted’ management skills development and training courses for 2023 to date.
1. Authentic leadership
To quote the words of Bill George, author of ‘Authentic Leadership’ (2003), “In the last 10 years, authenticity has become the gold standard of leadership.” He defined authentic leaders as genuine, moral and character-based leaders: “People of the highest integrity, committed to building enduring organisations … who have a deep sense of purpose and are true to their core values who have the courage to build their companies to meet the needs of all their stakeholders, and who recognise the importance of their service to society.”
If you or your organisation want to learn how to develop the essential traits, characteristic and skills to become an authentic leader, click here: Authentic Leadership course
2. Coaching Skills
The Chartered Management Institute have observed that coaching skills for managers has attracted much attention in recent years, both as a method of developing senior leaders and executives and as a tool for developing employee potential and work performance. Coaching is now seen as a key ingredient in improving employee engagement in organisations. When used appropriately, coaching can be a cost-effective approach to development, focusing on specific individuals and their identified development needs. The need to recruit new employees can be reduced by developing the skills of existing employees. Coaching can also improve motivation, leading to a reduction in staff turnover. It sends a positive message to employees that the organisation values its staff, and creates a sense of achievement for both those acting as coaches and those receiving support from a coach.
For information on coaching courses and qualifications, click on the links below:
Introduction to Coaching course
Advanced Coaching Skills course
Level 3 qualifications in Coaching and Mentoring
Level 5 qualifications in Coaching and Mentoring
Level 7 qualifications in Coaching and Mentoring
3. Problem Solving and Decision-making
Recent Harvard Business Review articles on leadership skills and other research (including McKinsey) identifies problem solving and decision making as a common emerging theme and a highly sought after management and leadership skill in the workplace, particularly in overcoming challenges presented by turbulent and relentless change.
Problem solving and Decision making course
Collaborative Problem solving course
4. Conflict Management / Building Relationships
Research demonstrates that training in conflict resolution and relationship building skills can result in improved teamwork, productivity, performance, employee engagement and customer satisfaction. With collaborations and partnerships on the increase, and internal/external customers and stakeholders asserting their needs and expectations more vocally, managers and leaders need to have the confidence and skills to have tough conversations whilst maintaining – even improving – working relationships.
Handling tough conversations course
Conflict Management course
Building relationships course
5. Performance Management Skills
Recent research carried out by the CIPD highlighted that performance management and people management were voted the “top leadership behaviours” needed by organisations in the next three years, 53% said leaders’ performance management skills were ineffective, and 44% felt leaders failed to make the grade at people management.
Managing Performance course
Absence management course
Managing disciplinary and grievance course
Conducting investigations course