All courses Leadership & career

Communication Strategies for Managers

6 Weeks

Cohort-based Course

Become a more calm, confident leader. Communicate more effectively in the most common situations.

Communication Strategies for Managers

6 Weeks

Cohort-based Course

Become a more calm, confident leader. Communicate more effectively in the most common situations.

Hosted by

Kim Nicol

Coach & Host of The New Manager Podcast

Kim Nicol

Coach & Host of The New Manager Podcast

Coached Leaders From

Course overview

Better communication makes a big difference, every day.

✅ Connect. Reduce resistance and increase connection. Lead your team through change, uncertainty, and new challenges.

✅ Become more responsive and less reactive. Set the tone as a calm, clear leader -- without burning yourself out.

✅ Feel prepared for tough conversations, even if you're conflict averse and worry about making people feel bad.

✅ Use time well. Create better 1:1s and team meetings.

✅ Speak up with authentic confidence. Share your vision, perspective, or direction, and be heard. Advocate for yourself -- even when you're extremely self-reliant and don't like asking for anything.

Personal growth and professional development go hand in hand. You'll use these communication skills to enhance your career, and enrich your personal life.

WHAT TO EXPECT 🗺️

This course is designed for busy people who want real, practical learnings they can use right away.

This course is NOT a bootcamp style experience that will leave you feeling overwhelmed or unsure of how to start.

The folks who get the most from this course tend to:

➡️ Take small steps and apply their learnings each week.

➡️ Read the material and respond to the Reflection Questions.

➡️ Value a human-centered approach to managing people.

Many students report meaningful positive outcomes as they use the frameworks offered throughout the course.

INSTRUCTOR PHILOSOPHY 🌿

🌿 The only way to develop any skill is with deliberate practice over time.

🌿 This course is designed to provide you with the structure, space, and support to do just that.

🌿 People are human. Humans vary.

🌿 You are already a great communicator.

🌿 The strategies that got you here may not get you there. By learning new strategies to communicate effectively and manage diverse people, you'll enjoy better outcomes at work, grow as a leader, and improve your quality of life.

Who is this course for

New managers who want foundational skills to be more calm, authentic, and effective every day.

Experienced managers who face new challenges and want a fresh perspective, new ideas, and path forward.

Aspiring managers who want a head start on getting the skills and strategies that will help them advance in their career.

New managers who want foundational skills to be more calm, authentic, and effective every day.

Experienced managers who face new challenges and want a fresh perspective, new ideas, and path forward.

Aspiring managers who want a head start on getting the skills and strategies that will help them advance in their career.

What you’ll get out of this course

Clarity in effective communication.

Find out what makes communication effective, and apply this knowledge to everyday situations.

Strategies for different people and situations.

Communication is not one size fits all.

Human-centered plans for tough conversations.

Be ready to advocate for yourself, set boundaries, and give feedback. Even if you're conflict averse.

What’s included

Live sessions

Learn directly from Kim Nicol in a real-time, interactive format.

Lifetime access

Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.

Community of peers

Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.

Certificate of completion

Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.

Maven Guarantee

This course is backed by the Maven Guarantee. Students are eligible for a full refund up until the halfway point of the course.

Course syllabus

6 live sessions • 29 lessons • 5 projects

Week 1

Sep 17—Sep 21

Sep

Class 1 - Introductions & Intentions

Wed 9/178:00 PM—9:00 PM (UTC)

Becoming more intentional and responsive -- and less reactive.

3 items

📺 Class 1 Replay

1 item

Week 2

Sep 22—Sep 28

Sep

Class 2 - Effective Communication

Wed 9/248:00 PM—9:00 PM (UTC)

What makes communication effective?

5 items

📺 Class 2 Replay

1 item

Week 3

Sep 29—Oct 5

Oct

Class 3 - Better Meetings & 1:1s

Wed 10/18:00 PM—9:00 PM (UTC)

Better Meetings and 1:1s

3 items

📺 Class 3 Replay

1 item

Week 4

Oct 6—Oct 12

Oct

Class 4 - Effective Feedback: Giving, Receiving, and Requesting

Wed 10/88:00 PM—9:00 PM (UTC)

Effective Feedback: Giving, Receiving, and Requesting

4 items

📺 Class 4 Replay

1 item

Week 5

Oct 13—Oct 19

Oct

Class 5 - Speaking Up, Self-Advocacy, and Boundaries

Wed 10/158:00 PM—9:00 PM (UTC)

Speaking Up, Self-Advocacy, and Boundaries

4 items

📺 (Optional) Watch: The Gentle No - How to Set Boundaries Without Feeling Bad

1 item

📺 Class 5 Replay

1 item

Week 6

Oct 20—Oct 22

Oct

Class 6 - Your Leadership Style + Next Steps

Wed 10/228:00 PM—9:00 PM (UTC)

📺 Class 6 Replay

1 item

Bonus

Resources for Continued Learning

5 items

Manager Checklist

1 item

Tips for Managing Up

1 item

Private coaching

1 item

What people are saying

I learned a lot about wholehearted leadership and feedback as a form of service. Her expertise gave me a working map and a solid toolkit on how to navigate a fast-paced, dynamic workplace. Now, I feel equipped to not only manage and mentor others, but I also know how to coach myself.

Francis H.

Group Product Manager

I was in the transition from IC to a manager position. There are lots of new muscles that I need to build while rethinking how to grow the team. Now I feel more confident and well-prepared for a lot of crucial conversations for this role.

Jessica Z.

Data Science Manager

I knew I wanted to be a confident leader but I wasn’t sure how to speak up for myself or set boundaries. Kim helped me figure out how to successfully advocate for myself and my coworkers. I also trust myself more, and am taking on bigger opportunities."

Laurel T.

Climate Impact Associate

I gave my first performance review with my new direct report and directly used my new tools from Kim's course. It felt more comfortable, deeper, and more productive than I have previously experienced as a provider or recipient of feedback!

Lauren H.

People Operations

After working with Kim, I have a stronger sense of confidence as a manager and no longer cower at the thought of sharing my opinions during large meetings or shy away from opportunities to present my work.

Courtney P.

Senior Content Strategist

Kim is one of the most encouraging teachers I've ever had. Not only did she create a collaborative and supportive learning environment during our weekly sessions, but she provided concrete tools for navigating tough conversations.

Rachel J.

Advertising Parternships

Meet your instructor

Kim Nicol

Kim Nicol, JD, PCC is a certified coach and the creator of The New Manager Podcast. She has expertise in mindfulness, communication, and leadership.

Kim created the popular Essential Skills for New Managers workshop at General Assembly in San Francisco, teaching over 1,000 students in diverse industries. She has worked with the Cartier Women's Initiative in supporting the well-being of women impact entrepreneurs around the world. In 2021 she worked on the Learning & Development team at LinkedIn.

Kim completed coach training at UC Davis, and continuing education in Trauma Informed Leadership at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She is a former lawyer.

She lives in San Francisco.

Clients and students from:

The Frick Pittsburgh Museums and Gardens

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