Five areas dominate my teaching and coaching work helping new managers start strong. Each of these are mission critical for new manager success.

While there's a lot more that we cover in this program, those five are more equal than many others. They are key success factors and in their absence key derailment factors. By teaching and guiding new managers on applying the 10 Core Programs of the Managers Operating System, we turn these tripping points into success points.

We gather as a cohort once per month for three hours to explore the core topics in depth, share perspectives and experiences, and develop an ideas-to-actions plan to implement in your organization.

The once-per-month 1x1 coaching promotes the application of program approaches and offers the new(er) manager an invaluable guide and resources during the critical early period.

We convene for one of our three planned guest expert sessions to learn from leading thinkers and practitioners in our core areas. These experts share their ideas and experiences and field your questions.

You keep in touch with your coach and cohort via a private forum during and after the program.

You'll leave each working session brimming with energy and ideas to put into action. Unlike one-and-done training, you come back and share your experiences and insights along the way as we sustain the learning experience for four months and you retain access to your coach indefinitely.

The Managers Operating System (MOS) incorporates 10 Core Programs or sets of (research-backed and practitioner tested) behaviors essential for success as a manager any level. For new(er) managers, the MOS helps them build a foundation of the right behaviors and approaches to start strong and avoid the many tripping points that occur at this stage.

The Ten Core Programs of the Managers Operating System

1. Define (together) the Rules of the Road

2. Create (manager) Role Clarioty

3. Practice Swift Trust

4. Employ FLEX-Focused Communication Practices

5. Provide Context for the Work

6. Create Connection to Their Skills and Interests

7. Coach for Performance

8. Coach for Career

9. Teach Creative and Critical Thinking

10. Sponsor Cross-Organization Connection

Inherent in each of the programs are a variety of behaviors or activities that must interoperate to create a healthy working environment for the manager and group. Participants learn to apply the behaviors and are challenged to apply them in their workplace. The four-month duration offers great opportunities for feedback, learning, and fine-turning. Importantly, the Ten Core Programs and the MOS offer a foundation to return to and strengthen effectiveness for a career as a manager.

Linda A. Hill, the foremost research on new manager development offers, "Developing as a manager is a transformational experience for which there are no shortcuts." She's right—there are no shortcuts—however, that doesn't mean that every new manager has to make the same mistakes. A core focus of this program training, the coaching, and guest expert content is on identifying the pitfalls and obstacles and developing strategies for mitigating or minimizing them.

The number one challenge for most new managers is the transition from team member and contributor to manager. This awkward shift in power dynamic and relationship trips too many new to the role. Our module on this emphasizes gaining their input on the new form of relationship, establishing clear boundaries, and shifting the focus to finding ways to help individuals and the group succeed. From the MOS, the Rules of the Road, Swift Trust, and Role Clarity activities all work together to create role clarity and ensure a cohesive operating approach for the new manager and group.

Moving beyond the early-awkward phase to focusing on creating results is another tripping point for new managers. Again from the MOS, the focus on Creating Context and Coaching for Performance plus FLEX-Focused Communication all interoperate to help create the right results.

Today's organizations want managers who facilitate, empower, and enable success. A core part of the program focuses on cultivating Creative and Critical Thinking for problem-solving and creativity for innovation—essential activities for success.

Each one of the Ten Core Programs of the MOS is intended to promote a healthy working environment where individuals are motivated to explore, experiment, inspire and aspire while creating results. No new manager understands how to do this from day one. We teach new managers how to engage and create engagement.

Unlike every new manager who has navigated the "sink or swim" school of development or just attended one-and-done training, participants leave this four-month learning and growth experience with a foundation for success—The Managers Operating System—and experience bringing it to life in the workplace. The not-so-hidden secret is that the MOS and the Ten Core Programs are essential at every level of managing and leading. As a new(er) manager, you are learning the skills, behaviors, and thinking that will serve you for a career from the front-lines to the C-Suite.

About the Executive Coaching Portion

The coaching portion is all about you and your success.

In our 1x1 sessions, we identify specific strategies for your situation. You bring them to life in your workplace, evaluate outcomes (and solicit feedback) and we work to tune your approaches.

This coaching is typically only available for thousands of dollars and never integrated with a sustained learning experience, until now. The blend of cohort/classroom/expert, and coaching creates a rich experience.