Line Management Training

The Challenge

SCA are a large team working on a diverse variety of projects. They all work remotely and don’t get together very often making communication and team co-ordination challenging.

They had three key requirements for their day of training:

1. Improve overall communication.
2. Develop their teamwork.
3. Review the organisation’s core beliefs and values to see how they could be made to come to life on a day-to-day basis.

The Solution

A one day trainer-led professional development workshop for 14 people from Surrey Community Action.

The course content was bespoke to SCA’s objections following after a number of conversations between the trainer and the course co-ordinator to ensure that all three training objectives could be covered in one day.

The Outcome

85% of attendees said that they would implement changes to the way that they work straight away after the course.

90% of attendees said that they felt more engaged with the organisation’s core values and beliefs.

95% said that they would recommend Acuity Training to others.

The Challenge

Zone3 is an international SME sports and fitness brand that has grown rapidly since its founding in 2007.

As the business has expanded, it became increasingly important to strengthen internal structures and management capabilities.

The company faced two main challenges:

1. Supporting new managers with limited experience to build confidence and become more effective team leaders.
2. Finding high-quality, cost-effective training suitable for a growing but budget-conscious business.

The Solution

A bespoke 1-day management training course for Zone3’s team, tailored to meet the specific needs of their managers.

Following consultation with Zone 3, the course was customised to maximise it’s impact. The training was delivered in person by an experienced facilitator and included practical, real-life scenarios and group discussions.

The Outcome

1. Improved confidence among managers in their ability to lead teams and manage up and down within the business.

2. Clearer communication and better team co-ordination, with managers planning to implement agile methods more widely.

3. More effective delegation and structured feedback loops, creating a more open and collaborative team working environment.

There are 5 key responsibilities of a line manager.

1. Oversee the daily operations of their section of the business.
2. Lead and motivate their team, and manage the performance of team members
3. Solve individual’s team members issues so they can work effectively
4. Maintain a safe and positive work environment for their team.
5. Communicate upwards in the organisation. Line managers need to ensure senior managers have a clear view of how their team is performing.

First impressions last. A good first week will set you up for future success. 

1. Spend time explaining to each team member how you want them to work.
2. Make key objectives clear so that team members are clear on priority actions.
3. Get to know your team and understand how they work. One you understand the personality types of your team members it will be easier to get the best from them individually and as a team.
4. Show don’t tell. Model the behaviours you would like to see from your team.

Remember you can’t do everything in a week. You are creating a foundation you can build on.

Clear communication is the basis of all motivation. If your team don’t understand where they are going there won’t have anything to be enthusiastic about.

Give team members the opportunity for personal development.

1. Set clear goals. Give team members clear performance targets so that they are clear on what you would you are aiming to achieve.
2. Don’t micromanage! Clear delegation allows your team to work in the way that works best for them.
3. Build a team. Ensure your team feels comfortable speaking with you and with each other.
4. Whats in it for them? Make sure there are opportunities for team members to stretch and develop themselves
5. Celebrate. Be sure to celebrate when your team hits a target.

Experienced line managers all have three key qualities.

1. Great listener. Great line managers listen more than they speak.
2. Clear strategy. Great line managers set out a clear vision and strategy so that their teams’ understand where they are going and why.
3. Strong motivator. Great line managers understand how to motivate people.

These three titles are often used interchangeably, especially team leader and line manager, and so this can be confusing. Technically the roles are:

• Line Manager: Oversees a department or function, responsible for team performance, hiring, and strategy execution.
• Team Leader: Guides and motivates a specific team, focuses on day-to-day tasks, and ensures team objectives align with company goals.
• Supervisor: Monitors and directs employees’ work, ensures adherence to policies, and reports on performance to higher management.

Summary:
A line manager has broader strategic and organisational responsibilities than a team leader who focuses on team coordination, who in turn has broader responsibilites than a supervisor who ensures task execution and compliance.