Services
New Manager Training
Develop your ability to have confident, caring, and candid conversations while motivating and driving results.
Great managers aren’t born. They’re built.
This isn’t a crash course in corporate jargon.
It’s a hands-on, human-centered experience built around:
Confidence: Develop your voice as a leader and trust your own judgment
Communication: Learn how to give feedback, run 1:1s, and set expectations clearly
Team dynamics: Build psychological safety and navigate tricky interpersonal dynamics
Decision-making: Move from “what should I do?” to “here’s what I’ll try next.”
Self-awareness: Learn to manage your time, energy, and mindset in the face of pressure
We help new managers build not just competence, but credibility.
Learn a no-BS, people-first, and research-supported way of managing and leading.
This training is for any first-time manager, team lead, or newly promoted leader looking for structured and personalized support as they take on people management for the first time.
This might be for you if:
➜ You’re moving from an individual contributor role into leadership
➜ You’ve been promoted quickly and are figuring management out on the fly
➜ You want practical tools (and not just theory) that you can apply immediately
What we do
The New Manager Development Program
No fluff. No buzzwords. Just practical, proven tools to help you lead with clarity and purpose.
1.
Management Foundations:
Mastering Human Relationships
- 
      
      
Understand the unique role of a manager in the startup world.
What you’ll learn:
✔️ Deeper self-awareness around your natural management strengths.
✔️ Your management blind spots.
✔️ Growth action plan to track your progress. - 
      
      
Learn how to give performance-changing feedback and appreciation.
What you’ll learn:
✔️ Proven frameworks for giving and receiving feedback.
✔️ Templates, tools, cheatsheets, and more.
✔️ You’ll practice. A lot!
 - 
      
      
Poor communication creates more work. Communication becomes increasingly more important as level up in your career.
What you’ll learn:
✔️ What remote managers do differently, including communication shortcuts and hacks.
✔️ The difference between B- listening and A+ listening.
✔️ You’ll practice. A lot! - 
      
      
People cannot read minds! Set clear expectations, delegate effectively, and build a high-performing team. Time management included!
What you’ll learn:
✔️ Set clear project expectations with different frameworks.
✔️ Manage workloads (self and team) confidently.
✔️ Avoid expectation hangovers.
✔️ How to delegate with confidence and build a culture of accountability. - 
      
      
Master 1:1s, how to performance manage, coach, and develop your people.
What you’ll learn:
✔️ Lead performance reviews and development conversations.
✔️ Recognize how to conduct powerful 1:1s as a mentor-coach.
✔️ Address challenges and ask questions with low performers.
✔️ Interpret PIPs and how they should be used.
 - 
      
      
Build the confidence to have difficult conversations to dial down conflict.
What you’ll learn:
✔️ Proven frameworks and secrets to managing conflict at work.
✔️ How to reframe conflict.
✔️ How to manage clashes.
✔️ Templates, tools, and cheatsheets.
✔️ You’ll practice. A lot! 
2.
Management Foundations:
The Strategic Leader
- 
      
      
Success as a manager is not just about managing down!
What you’ll learn:
✔️ Skills for positive relationships with your superiors and your peers.
✔️ The best way to communicate up and across.
✔️ How to sell your ideas to others.
✔️ What to do when interests and opinions aren’t aligned. - 
      
      
Set yourself up for success. Learn how to recruit and hire the best team.
What you’ll learn:
✔️ Examine how to assess tradeoffs associated with hiring decisions.
✔️ Explore a hiring and job interview framework that will ensure you hire the right fit.
✔️ Recognize what to look for in technical interviews for startups.
✔️ Explain reference check hacks that nobody tells you about! - 
      
      
Effective decision-making can be the difference between success and failure in any leader. Learn the most popular frameworks used at startups.
What you’ll learn:
✔️ How to build a strategic plan.
✔️ Describe different strategic decision-making mental models to drive results.
✔️ Assess tradeoffs associated with decisions and develop strategies for effective risk mitigation.
✔️ Describe how to predict challenges before they arise. - 
      
      
How to advocate for yourself, and your team, and how you can grow into the next phase as a leader.
What you’ll learn:
✔️ Clarity around your current role and your future goals.
✔️ How to advocate for yourself.
✔️ How to advocate for your team. - 
      
      
Navigate change, uncertainty, and challenges inherent to the startup environment.
What you’ll learn:
✔️ Change management frameworks; lead through constant change.
✔️ Tools and strategies to set yourself up for success.
✔️ Support your team members in becoming more comfortable with uncertainty and change. 
Credentials checklist
✓ Worked with 100+ teams
✓ Worked with over 1200 StrengthsFinder profiles
✓ 3x Marketing Director at fintech startups
✓ Certified in Gallup’s CliftonStrengths
✓ Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with ICF
✓ CPA, CA from KPMG (active CPA)
✓ Graduate of Landmark Forum
✓ Graduate of Non-Violent Communications course 
✓ Graduate of The Corker Co.’s Facilitator Training
✓ Graduate of Conscious Leadership’s Introduction
✓ Graduate of Radical Candor’s Feedback Course
✓ Mental Health First Aid Certificate
About your coach
Who is Alice Ko?
For the past 20+ years, I’ve worked for innovative organizations, tech startups/scaleups, agencies, non-profits, the Big 4, and corporate conglomerates. I’ve worked on every type of team imaginable - and experienced the good and the bad.
I’ve been an IC and people manager at multiple organizations so I feel your pain. Working as a new manager has a different set of challenges and you don’t always get the support you need.
How I started
I built this program for myself when I sought ways to make my management easier and my team more productive.
I even became a certified coach to improve my management skills!
That’s how I accidentally discovered my passion and skill for coaching, facilitating, and training.
So, I launched a CliftonStrengths consultancy.
Then, companies asked me to train their startup teams and new managers.
And just like that, this program was formed.
Why I love doing this
➜ This is the program I wish I had when I started managing.
➜ There’s nothing I love more than supporting people through one of the most challenging transitions in their professional lives.
➜ That’s why I run small, curated group cohorts that are customized to the participants.
➜ Everybody gets the attention they need to succeed.
➜ This is not a webinar or lecture series. I know each manager’s name and unique challenges.
➜ Each manager has direct access to me between sessions.
➜ All groups are high-touch, personalized, and you’ll feel like you have personal coach on your side.
➜ Together, we mimic the environment of a team forming trust and working through challenges together.
➜ We learn how to create safe spaces where people share real challenges, give real feedback, and learn together.
➜ Participants gain a new mindset with frameworks and tools to excel as people managers.
How is this new manager training different?
- 
      
      
Forget anonymous webinars where you're just one of 60 faces in the background. This manager training program is interactive, engaging, and designed for hands-on learning. I’ll know your name, your challenges, and your progress. Expect real-time coaching, role-plays, and dynamic discussions that keep you involved and energized.
 - 
      
      
This isn't a one-size-fits-all training. From pre-session check-ins to in-session polls that shape our focus, every element is designed to meet your needs. While we cover essential management fundamentals, each cohort and individual receives personalized guidance and support.
 - 
      
      
Each cohort is intentionally small for deep conversations and meaningful practice. Welcome to an open space for honest dialogue, shared growth, and collaborative learning.
 - 
      
      
Each participant receives direct access to me. You won’t just hear from me during class. I provide continuous virtual support and accountability between sessions. Expect check-ins, reflection prompts, and encouragement. Had a tough meeting at work? I’ll be there to follow up and cheer you on. This is more than training.
 - 
      
      
Each participant receives direct access to me. You won’t just hear from me during class. I provide continuous virtual support and accountability between sessions. Expect check-ins, reflection prompts, and encouragement. Had a tough meeting at work? I’ll be there to follow up and cheer you on. This is more than training.
 - 
      
      
The CliftonStrengths assessment and CliftonStrengths for Manager Report is collectively valued at $90 USD. Your strengths make your management style unique. The CliftonStrengths report helps you leverage your talents for greater team and organizational success.
 - 
      
      
Never feel lost again. Access workbooks, templates, and tools to help you with everything from performance reviews for startups to effective 1:1 meetings with remote teams. Best of all? Your access won’t be cut off.
 - 
      
      
Once you’ve grasped the fundamentals, we’ll dive deep into your specific challenges in a personalized 1:1 coaching session with a certified, professional coach—perfect for addressing your real-time challenges.
You also get access to a Catch-up Session, because we know that life happens! Whether it's a vacation, illness, or unexpected meeting, we make sure you won’t miss out. Join a live, private catch-up session to stay on track.
 - 
      
      
Knowledge is just rumor until it lives in the body. Weekly challenges between sessions help you apply what you’ve learned, with personalized feedback. And yes, it’s gamified.
 
Join the 2026 cohort or get a customized program!
        
        
      
    
    In an AI-powered world, the skill that will continue to set great managers apart is human leadership. Are you ready to set yourself on the path of extraordinary change?
Ready to move through the mess, together?
FAQs
- 
      
        
          
        
      
      
Our sessions are live, small-group cohorts with no more than 10 participants each to ensure maximum learning and growth.
Unlike some courses, which are glorified webinars, this is active learning - focused on each individual.
For this reason, we don’t offer an on-demand version yet.We prioritize privacy (sessions not recorded) for open discussions and personal growth.
We offer four options:
Growth
- 9 sessions with core management modules
- Includes direct access to the trainer and coach
- Gamified learning
- 1:1 sessions
Transform
- 15 sessions with advanced management modules
- Includes direct access to the trainer and coach
- Gamified learning
- Access additional 1:1 sessions
Private
- Private training and coaching for 1 individual
- Tailored program designed around 1 individual’s schedule and goals
Bespoke
- Customized modules for a company’s existing systems
- Hyper-personalized to your company’s unique culture, norms, and values - 
      
        
      
      
This program is a great fit for growth-minded individuals who want to learn and apply their learnings immediately into the workplace.
Our participants have been:
New managers (recently transitioned in the last year)
Experienced managers who never received training
Founders
HR and People Operations Teams
Aspiring managers (High achievers who want to excel and be promoted to a management position soon, so they take it upon themselves to learn the skills now.
 - 
      
        
      
      
This program is NOT for you if:
You’re close-minded and not committed to creating a safe, inclusive psychological space with the rest of the students.You’re looking for a lecture-only or webinar-style program with no interactive or engagement.
 - 
      
        
      
      
Computer with webcam and a microphone.
Broadband internet connection (25Mbps+ recommended).
Google account (used for exercises and resources).
Comfort in using Slack.
 - 
      
        
      
      
Participants must attend all sessions (or prove viewing of recording if they are unable to attend), complete all assignments, complete a self-assessment, and attend a minimum of 1:1 private coaching session.
 - 
      
        
      
      
Certificate of completion after attendance of all modules and 1:1 coaching sessions
Ongoing support
Comprehensive resources, including workbooks, templates, and cheatsheets - that are updated
Private coaching 1:1 sessions
Group coaching and guest speaker sessions
 - 
      
        
      
      
Our experience ranges from $1,600 to $4,000 USD depending on which tier you are interested in and whether you are eligible for our non-profit or scholarship pricing. Please contact us for a pricing sheet.
Bespoke programs are customized based on the level of customization required.
All residents in Canada are charged sales tax. - 
      
        
      
      
First, we focus on an individualized strengths-based approach. A one size fits all approach doesn’t work for everyone. Individuals are not robots and they shouldn’t be trained to be one. Think of the best leaders. Are they all the same? Likely not. The best leaders know their unique strengths, know which strengths to use, and have worked on their blind spots.
This experience recognizes that you are all unique individuals with different challenges and goals. We encourage you to play to your strengths rather than mirror what somebody else is doing. We provide best practices, tools, tips, and hacks but at the end of the day, change comes from what works best for you.
Second, we are highly focused on the startup and first-time manager experience.
Third, this is not a glorified webinar series. Unlike other manager training programs which may be pre-recorded videos or one speaker speaking to a group of hundreds, we are customized to you and your challenges. Every single participant gets direct and personalized access to the trainer and coach.We focus on you and your experiences. That is why we keep these cohorts small. We are not a sales farm trying to get 50 or 100 people into a cohort like some other courses. We want to talk through YOUR actual challenges.
Last but not least, we’ve been told our experience is fun, psychologically safe, empathetic, engaging, practical, and highly interactive. Contact us to read the case studies. - 
      
        
      
      
Yes. We frequently build and implement private training programs for companies that have a group of recently promoted managers.
If you are scaling fast and need training support, reach out to partner with us.
We are known for customizing our programs to fit with an organization's language, culture, and processes.
 - 
      
        
      
      
Yes! Managers from non-profits often join our cohorts. Non-profits and startups are more alike than you realize. They both:
1. Rely on external funding and are usually always in "fundraising" mode
2. Lack resources to hire everybody they need
3. Lack the proper systems, tools, and processes. They need to be scrappy! - 
      
        
      
      
Alice leads all the formal sessions and brings in guest mentors and speakers who are expert operators in the startup space. Learn more about Alice below!
All guest mentors and speakers have full-time jobs so trust that they have relevant on-the-ground experience to mentor new startup managers.
A few topic sessions that our guest mentors lead:AMA for Engineering Managers
Delivering Feedback on Creative Assets
Advanced Accountability
Project Manager Operations
Strategy and Decision Making
Enneagram for Managers
 - 
      
        
      
      
Yes! We are pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships for managers who are investing in their own development and are NOT receiving reimbursement from their company. These scholarships are designed to help make training and coaching more accessible. To inquire about availability and the application process, please contact us directly.
 
Read the blog
- 
      
      
      
        
  
      

Myers-Briggs vs CliftonStrengths: Which Personality Power-Up Is Right for You?
In this article, we break down the differences between the Myers-Briggs and CliftonStrengths assessments so you can make an informed decision on which one is the best fit for you.
 - 
      
      
      
        
  
      

The Top 5 Leadership Newsletters to Subscribe to in 2025
These five email newsletters deliver digestible insights, expert wisdom and innovative thought leadership straight to your inbox – and you can take them in over a morning coffee break.
 - 
      
      
      
        
  
      

Why Choose a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach?
Learn why choosing a Gallup certified strengths coach can be a game-changer for both individuals and teams.