Programme

Manager
Foundations

Master the mindset and behaviours
to lead modern teams

Managing well today is often about getting your own work done, while also enabling others in busy, changing environments. And whether you're stepping up, or refreshing your existing skillset — the behaviours that matter most can be isolated, practised and quickly established.

Refined through our collaboration with thousands of managers across hundreds of organisations, this programme anchors in our Core Four foundational modules, and is experienced through personal insights, collaborative workshops, timely tools and the magical accountability that comes from peer learning.

TRUSTED BY:

MANAGER FOUNDATIONS

Accessing the programme and toolkit

In-company

Delivered in-company

Brought to one or more cohorts of your managers, in-person or virtually — and adapted to your commercial priorities and cultural cues.

YCN Talky Feely conversation cards on a wooden surface

CROSS-ORGANISATIONAL

Join Open Cohorts

Connect with curious peers in cross-organisational cohorts — working through the modules through virtual workshops and self-led experimentation.

See coming cohorts

The programme

The Core Four Modules

The programme is built around foundational behaviours that consistently have the greatest impact on team performance. Each module builds on the last, compounding a practical progression that strengthens confidence and builds capability.

Illustration of a person walking through a mind-shaped landscape with clouds and sun

Module 01

Modes and Mindset

Upping self-awareness to recognise strengths, in yourself and others, and to shift between Coaching, Directing, Visioning and Focusing modes — depending on the person, task and moment.

Illustration of two people on a boat with a lighthouse guiding the way

Module 02

Everyday Coaching

Spotting coachable moments in everyday work, knowing when to resist a directive approach — and using practical coaching frameworks to unlock thinking, build ownership and help others to act.

Illustration of three people painting a shared smile together

Module 03

Feedback in the Flow

Building the confidence to give and receive feedback with care, clarity and consistency — making everyday conversations more honest and helpful, and dealing with performance issues in the moment.

Illustration of two people painting a ladder together

Module 04

Goal Connectivity

Creating goals that feel co-owned, visible and connected to everyday work — using evidence of progress and regular coaching conversations to maintain momentum and accountability.

IT'S TIME TO FLEX

Modes to Master

Organised around two key dimensions: Directing and Coaching, Visioning and Focusing; the Leading Modes provide a practical framework for adapting your style. Effective managers recognise the tension between the dimensions and flex intentionally depending on the moment.

Tap the Mode cards to flip them and learn more

Visioning — description, keywords and phrases

Coaching — description, keywords and phrases

Directing — description, keywords and phrases

Focusing — description, keywords and phrases

NO LEARNER LEFT BEHIND

The programme experience

Whether collaborating in a virtual or in-person cohort, you’ll mix energising live experiences with self-led elements and tried and tested toolkits — for instant impact in your team.

STEP ONE

Personalised onboarding

A behavioural profiler will give you a colourful picture of your strengths and flex areas — helping you focus in on what the programme will shift.

YCN coaching card being shared across a table

STEP TWO

Physical toolkit

You'll receive a tactile toolkit of coaching cards and prompts to keep the modes and tools in hand, mind and lots of conversations.

Cohort of managers laughing together in a workshop space

STEP THREE

Collaborative cohort sessions

Whether it's virtual or in-person, through four X two hour hands-on workshops — each linked to a module — you'll apply new tools and skills to live scenarios together, creating momentum and accountability for onward action.

Digital pathway shown on a laptop screen

STEP FOUR

Your digital pathway

Work through the digital pathway and toolkit alongside the 4 x 2-hour collaborative, virtual group sessions with your cohort.

Manager Foundations mobile pathway shown on a phone

STEP FIVE

Missions and transfer tasks

Between sessions, practical challenges help embed new behaviours through real work, real conversations and real reflection.

YCN coaching cards being shared in a workshop

STEP SIX

Your learning continues

You'll receive 12 months' access to our performance platform, with ongoing tools and social learning keeping you connected with other managers as you continue to develop.

Warm and inclusive learning

Your facilitators throughout

Cohorts are expertly led by YCN coach-facilitators, all bringing personal experience managing and leading across diverse teams, a deep understanding of programme content — and the expertise to connect the group to it, and to each other.

Clockwise from top right: Coach-facilitators Kate Lloyd, Sarah Naidoo-Banks, Katy Kent and Raul Aparici.

YCN coach-facilitator on set during filming

YCN coach-facilitator portrait in a garden setting

YCN coach-facilitator smiling in a studio setting

Upcoming dates

Coming Open Cohorts

Begins

September

VirtualCOHORT 2609