Your Next Great Manager Could Already Be Working for You

Introducing The New Manager Series – From Mate to Manager

What happens when one of your experienced managers retires, moves on or takes the next step in their career?

Do you have someone ready to step into their shoes? Or does the search for a replacement begin?

For many businesses, the next generation of managers is already part of their workforce. They’re the reliable team members, the natural problem solvers and the people colleagues already turn to for support.

But there’s a big difference between being good at your job and being good at managing people.

That’s why SEATS has developed the New Manager Series – practical, accessible training to help businesses develop their future leaders from within.

Succession Planning Starts Long Before Someone Leaves

We often think about succession planning when a senior manager announces their retirement or a valued employee hands in their notice.

But developing future managers shouldn’t be a last-minute exercise.

Whether you’re a growing business, managing an ageing workforce or simply want to give your people opportunities to progress, investing in management development now can save considerable time, money and disruption later.

Promoting from within has real advantages. Your employees already know your business, understand your customers and are familiar with your culture.

What they may not have is the confidence, knowledge or practical skills to manage others.

And being someone’s mate on Friday and their manager on Monday can be quite a challenge!

By developing management skills before or shortly after promotion, businesses can:

• Build a stronger succession pipeline – prepare talented employees to step into management roles when opportunities arise.
• Retain good people – demonstrate that career progression doesn’t always mean moving to another employer.
• Protect valuable knowledge – retain the experience and understanding your employees have built over time.
• Reduce recruitment costs – make better use of existing talent before looking externally.
• Improve team performance – equip managers to communicate, delegate, motivate and manage effectively.
• Support business growth – ensure your management capability grows alongside your organisation.

The New Manager Series

Eight practical modules. Three hours each. Online or in person. Pick and mix to suit your business.

Our New Manager Series has been developed for aspiring managers, newly promoted team leaders, supervisors and those who have found themselves managing people without any formal training.

Drawing on the core management skills traditionally covered by the Level 3 Team Leader apprenticeship, the series focuses on the everyday realities of managing people.

No lengthy qualification commitment. No unnecessary theory. Just practical tools, techniques and confidence that participants can take straight back into the workplace.

Module 1 – From Mate to Manager

Making the transition from team member to team leader.

Moving from colleague to manager can feel uncomfortable, particularly when you’re suddenly responsible for people you’ve worked alongside for years.

This module explores the changing expectations of a manager, establishing professional boundaries, building credibility and developing the confidence to lead former peers.

Participants will begin to understand what good management looks like and how to make a positive start in their new role.

Module 2 – Managing People Day to Day

Getting the everyday responsibilities of management right.

Managing people involves more than allocating tasks and checking work is completed.

This module looks at the practical responsibilities of a manager, including supporting team members, setting expectations, maintaining standards and handling everyday people-management situations.

Participants will develop a clearer understanding of their role and how to manage fairly, consistently and confidently.

Module 3 – Communicate Like a Manager

Clear communication. Better understanding. Stronger teams.

Good communication is one of the most important skills a manager can develop.

This module explores different communication styles, active listening, effective questioning and how to adapt messages for different people and situations.

Participants will learn how to give clear instructions, avoid misunderstandings and communicate with greater confidence and authority.

Module 4 – Goals, Performance & Accountability

Helping people understand what’s expected and deliver results.

How do you keep a team focused, motivated and accountable without constantly checking up on everyone?

This module covers setting clear goals, monitoring performance, agreeing expectations and encouraging individual responsibility.

Participants will learn practical approaches to managing performance and creating a culture where people understand their contribution to wider business objectives.

Module 5 – Delegation & Empowerment

Learning to let go, build trust and get the best from others.

One of the biggest challenges for new managers is accepting that they can no longer do everything themselves.

This module explores how to delegate effectively, match tasks to people’s strengths, provide appropriate support and empower employees to take ownership of their work.

Participants will develop the confidence to move from doing the work to leading the people doing it.

Module 6 – Feedback, Difficult Conversations & Conflict

Having the conversations that managers sometimes avoid.

Not every management conversation is easy.

Whether it’s addressing poor performance, giving constructive feedback or managing disagreements between colleagues, avoiding difficult conversations rarely makes problems disappear.

This module gives participants practical techniques to approach sensitive situations professionally, communicate clearly and manage conflict constructively.

Module 7 – Managing Change, Problems & Priorities

Keeping things moving when the pressure is on.

Managers are regularly expected to balance competing priorities, solve problems and support their teams through change.

This module explores practical problem-solving, decision-making, managing workloads and helping employees adapt when things don’t go to plan.

Participants will develop approaches to staying focused, making sound decisions and supporting their teams through everyday operational challenges.

Module 8 – Your Management Toolkit

Turning learning into confident, everyday management.

Knowing what good management looks like is one thing. Putting it into practice consistently is another.

This module brings together the learning from across the series, helping participants reflect on their strengths, identify areas for development and build their own practical management toolkit.

Participants will leave with clear actions they can apply in their roles and a better understanding of how to continue developing as managers.

Not Every Business Needs the Same Training

That’s why we’ve made the New Manager Series flexible.

You might have an employee who’s brilliant technically but struggles to delegate. A newly promoted supervisor who needs confidence having difficult conversations. Or a group of future leaders who would benefit from developing their management skills before taking the next step.

With SEATS, you can pick and mix the modules that work for your people.

Each workshop lasts just three hours and can be delivered online or in person, helping businesses develop their people without committing to lengthy periods away from the workplace.

Whether it’s one module, several workshops or a structured development pathway for your emerging managers, we can help you identify the right approach.

A Question for HR and Business Leaders: Who’s Next?

Think about your current management team.

Who is likely to retire in the next few years? Who might be promoted? Which departments rely heavily on one experienced individual? And who within your workforce has the potential to step up?

These aren’t questions to leave until a vacancy appears.

Succession planning is about recognising potential, creating opportunities and giving people the skills to succeed when the time comes.

And it doesn’t have to start with an expensive leadership programme.

Sometimes it starts with a three-hour workshop that gives someone the confidence to have their first difficult conversation, delegate effectively or begin thinking like a manager.

Your future leaders don’t necessarily need to be recruited. They may just need to be developed.

Let’s Build Your Future Management Team

At SEATS, we work with employers to understand their workforce, business ambitions and future skills needs.

We know that training isn’t simply about attending a course. It’s about helping businesses develop capable, confident people who can contribute to long-term success.

Our New Manager Series offers corporate partners a practical way to invest in their existing employees, support internal progression and strengthen their succession plans.

Don’t wait until your next manager leaves to start developing their replacement.

One Module £200 + VAT

Three Modules £500 + VAT

Complete Series including one Focus 50 1-2-1 coaching session £1000 + VAT