Becoming a Manager: How to Prepare Yourself

Many of us want to be able to progress in our careers, and one of the best ways to do that is to aim for a management position. Of course, it can also be a challenging move, because you’d have much wider responsibilities and others would be looking to you for leadership.

Preparing yourself in advance with an online management training course will help you to make the transition more easily. It will give you a better chance of understanding the challenges you might face as a manager and the skills you’ll need to overcome them. 

Here at CTC Training, we provide a variety of online business and management courses to help people develop the skills they’ll need as they progress their careers, including our Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership.

Why preparing for a management role is crucial

Going from being an employee to a manager can mean a whole different way of working. For instance, instead of being told what to do and when to do it, you’ll be the one setting the agenda. You’ll be the one coming up with solutions and managing and motivating the diverse personalities that make up your team.

You’ll need a whole new set of skills to cope successfully, including leadership, strong communication and the confidence to make decisions that others will be able to trust. These are the sort of areas that online training will help you prepare for, so that you’ll be better equipped when the time comes.

As well as the Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership, we also offer the Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Team Leading. If you have no experience of supervising others, this is a great introduction. 

As well as providing valuable training, our courses help you to learn at your own pace. We also make learning affordable by allowing you to spread your payments over several months. It’s this flexibility that has made us such a popular choice for those looking to take their careers to a new level.

Essential skills to develop before becoming a manager

Leadership and people management

One of the key aspects involved in a management role is supervising and motivating others. Both the Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Team Leading and the Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership have units specifically designed to help you understand the behaviours you’ll need to be an effective leader.

Communication and interpersonal skills

Clear communication with your team and other stakeholders will be key if you want those you’re managing to follow your lead. You’ll need to learn how to deal with conflict in the workplace, understand the importance of equality and diversity, and be able to present ideas and information in a straightforward way that others can easily follow. 

Time management and prioritisation

Probably every interviewee will tell a potential employer that they can manage their own workload, and in some cases it might even be true! As a manager, you’ll not only have to manage your own workload but also that of your whole team as well. You’ll need to understand what’s important and prioritise accordingly – even if it’s not always in your own immediate interest.

Problem-solving and decision-making

Having the confidence to trust your own judgement will help you to make important decisions and overcome problems. Some of this confidence will grow naturally with experience in a role, but your training will also help you to develop this essential quality. You’ll need to understand that you won’t necessarily get it right every time, but that this can make you a better manager in the long term if you learn from the experience.

Steps to prepare yourself for a management role

Self-assessment

To become a successful manager, it’s important that you are able to assess and understand your own strengths and weaknesses. This will enable you to see where you can improve your own performance – and this is fantastic practice for when you need to do the same for the members of your team. 

Skill development through training

Too many people enter the world of management without any kind of background or training to enable them to make a smooth transition into their new role. Formal training focuses on key skills to ensure that when your first day in management comes around, you’re not wholly on your own. Our Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Team Leading and Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership have been designed to provide exactly this kind of knowledge.

Gaining practical experience

Our management and leadership courses include practical exercises that place your learning in real-life situations. You can support that by seeking experience in your current role, such as volunteering to become involved in or even lead projects. Making yourself visible as someone with enthusiasm will place you in a great position when opportunities come around.

Building a support network

If you have a manager or supervisor who you trust and find supportive, talk to them about your hopes and plans. They may be keen to provide mentorship and share their own experiences. Our online training courses include access to a personal tutor who’ll also be able to provide practical support.

The role of online training in managerial preparation

Online training allows you to learn the things you’ll need to know to be a successful manager, free from the pressures of your existing workplace. You’ll have a full year to complete your course, so you can work at your own pace and fit your studies around your current job and other commitments.

CTC Training helps support aspiring managers with a range of Ofqual-regulated business and management courses. They don’t just provide the necessary skills and knowledge – you can get a nationally recognised qualification that will show potential employers that you’re serious about progressing your career.

CTC Training’s Business and Management Courses

The Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership is aimed at those currently in a middle management position who want to take the next step in their career. It will teach management skills such as leading and managing individuals and teams, managing work activities to improve business performance, and staff recruitment and selection.

If you are yet to take your first steps in leading others, the Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Team Leading is an essential introduction to the skills you’ll need. Alongside techniques for managing teams, you’ll learn about organisational structures, business planning and finance.

Enrol on a business and management course today and you’ll get immediate access to your course content and materials, meaning you won’t have to wait to get started. And throughout the duration of your course, you’ll get ongoing practical support from your own personal tutor.  

Your journey starts here

Online learning with CTC Training has already helped thousands of people to change their lives by offering the most convenient means of learning new skills and gaining important qualifications.

You can start your management journey today with CTC Training’s Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership. 

Enrol now or contact us to find out more.