Overview

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.

Syllabus

What Is an Effective Manager?

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.

The Four Critical Behaviors

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

Teachable and Sustainable Tools

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.

Get to Know Your People: One-on-Ones

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.

Doing One-on-Ones with Remote and Hybrid Workers

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.

How to Start Doing Manager Tools One-on-Ones

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

Talk About Performance Feedback

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.

Giving Feedback to Remote Directors

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.

How to Start Delivering Feedback

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.

Ask for More—Coaching

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.

How to Coach Remote Directs

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

How to Start Coaching: Rolling Out Coaching

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

Push Work Down - Delegation

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.