“How can we equip our new managers to lead with confidence from day one?”

What They Needed

First Group, the UK’s largest bus operator carrying over 2.8 million passengers daily and operating additional rail and tram services, had recently restructured their team.

As a result, five individuals stepped into management roles for the first time, with no previous leadership or people management training. The business recognised that to ensure success from the outset, these new managers required:

A broad foundation across all core management disciplines
The capability to lead teams confidently, not just manage tasks
Tools to motivate and manage performance, especially with limited experience
The ability to handle difficult situations, including underperformance and team conflict
A practical, focused development programme, delivered in-house and relevant to their day-to-day responsibilities

In short: How do we fast-track new managers, so they step into leadership roles prepared, capable and confident?

What We Did

We designed and delivered a three-day “Management & Leadership Skills” programme, covering all essential aspects of management.

The course included:

Leadership vs management approaches
Management style awareness and learning styles
Coaching fundamentals
Conducting appraisals and effective 1:1s
How to lead team meetings
Managing underperformance
Motivating teams
Time management and prioritisation
Delegation techniques
Handling difficult people and conversations
Communication and assertiveness skills

The focus was highly practical. Each participant left with a toolkit of real-world techniques designed to support immediate application in their new role.

The Difference It Made

95%

Quality of programme design and relevancy

96%

Quality of programme design and engagement

96%

Helpfulness and skill level of trainer

92%

Relevancy of course to management role

19%

Increase in confidence level of managers

Although this was an introductory course for a small group, feedback demonstrated strong early impact based on the following evaluation criteria:

Quality of programme design: 3.7/4 – described as clear, well-structured and targeted perfectly to first-time managers
Quality of programme delivery: 9.5/10 – participants praised the interactive format and practical, real-world examples
Trainer helpfulness and skill level: 9.6/10 – noted for accessible teaching style and ability to simplify complex concepts
Relevance to management role: 92% rated the content as “very relevant” to their day-to-day responsibilities
Increase in confidence: +19% average uplift reported in readiness to handle managerial responsibilities

All five new managers left equipped with a strong understanding of key leadership principles and practical steps to apply them.

Got Something In Mind?

If you'd like to chat through your requirements, you can call us on 0333 320 2883, email info@mtdtraining.com, or fill in the form below and we’ll get right back to you.