Behaviour change for first-time managers

They're not just a top performer anymore – they're the tone-setter. But without the right support, confidence drops fast (and so does their team’s). Two-thirds of managers say they wish they didn’t have to lead. We help new managers rise to the moment with skill, credibility and a leadership style that earns trust.

Avoiding feedback protects no one. Poor performance conversations cut productivity by up to 27%. We help managers turn tough moments into team growth, so conversations ignite better performance rather than stoke fears.

New managers can be very clingy. Staying too close to the work. And surprise, surprise, 70% of them also say their jobs are harder than ever. Without the skills to delegate, burnout spreads and progress flounders. We help them let go with confidence, build autonomy and unlock their team’s potential.

Adapting to change is the number one capability business leaders want to build. However, when conditions shift, most teams freeze.

Why? Because leaders are stuck navigating real, daily tensions: Innovation vs precision. Speed vs control. Bold action vs consensus.

Our solutions focus on the critical behaviours that help first-time managers cut through complexity, move fast, and stay ahead when everything is changing.

Most employees believe their performance rating depends more on their manager’s mood than on their work. We help managers coach in the moment. There’s no need to wait until year end (or for someone to make a big mistake). We show them how to build skills and confidence in others as part of the everyday.

Big-picture thinking doesn’t move teams – clear goals do. We help new managers turn vision into action, so their teams know exactly what matters, why it matters, and how to make progress that counts.

When new managers wait for permission, decisions stall and momentum slows. We help them back their judgement – acting with clarity, owning the outcome, and learning as they lead.

Ready-To-Go Learning Journeys

Need a proven solution to boost the performance of first time managers?

Our ready-to-go learning journeys are designed by behavioural scientists to tackle the most common, costly and critical blockers - vague expectations, feedback avoidance and hands-on micromanagement. They deliver real impact and are ready to launch fast - no need to build from scratch.

MindGym Memberships

Want open access to the content that drives new manager performance?

MindGym Memberships gives you on-demand access to a full catalogue of content - all backed by behavioural science and designed to build the habits that matter most. You can flex what you use and when, based on your priorities.

Transformation Solutions

Need a more tailored manager development solution?

We design experiences shaped around your specific goals - whether that's culture shift, capability uplift or behaviour change at scale. Our behaviour change experts will help you define your objectives, identify the behaviours that will deliver it and assemble the tools, content and experiences that will make change happen - and stick.

Our Manager Conversation Solution equips first-time managers to:

Give feedback that’s clear, confident and constructive

Navigate tough conversations without derailing trust

Coach in the moment and stretch performance without stress

And with Lio, our AI-powered conversation coach, they get to practise in a safe, realistic environment – no awkward role-plays, no judgement. Just smart, adaptive feedback that builds skill and confidence, one conversation at a time.

Capability that grows, minus the learning curve.

Courageous conversations

Great feedback

Shaping futures

Held to account

Performance coaching

MindGym's behaviour-change framework

Engage

Sparks curiosity and motivation by making learning feel personal, relevant and immediately valuable.

Participate

Transforms passive learning into active discovery through interactive, bite-sized experiences and real-world practice.

Activate

Reinforces new behaviours with structured follow-ups, action planning and continuous feedback to ensure lasting change.

Lio conversation coach

Our AI-powered coach helps leaders practise and master critical conversations – including feedback, underperformance and goal setting – in a realistic, private and bias-free space and with instant behavioural feedback.

Learn more about EPA

Unilever’s four-year journey to set a new standard for management

FMCG

How MetLife turned 6,000 managers into motivational leaders

Insurance

How Coca-Cola made performance conversations more human

Food and beverage

First-time manager training programmes

Behaviours we develop

Transitioning to leadership

Giving feedback

Delegating with confidence

Adapting to change

Coaching performance

Translating strategy into clear goals

Making big and fast decisons