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Management Essentials Certificate – Program Outline

Understanding & Leading People

MODULE 1: Building Trust & Credibility through Emotional Intelligence (by Jeffrey Edwards)

This module introduces emotional intelligence (EI) as a foundational leadership capability for building trust, credibility, and strong working relationships. Participants will explore how self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation influence their effectiveness as managers. Through reflection and practical tools, they will learn how to recognize emotional cues in themselves and others, adapt their leadership style, and foster psychologically safe environments. The session emphasizes the role of EI in shaping team culture, improving communication, and enhancing overall leadership presence in both routine and high-stakes situations.

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MODULE 2: Managing Yourself & Driving Performance in Others (by Gail Levitt)

This module focuses on enhancing managerial effectiveness by strengthening self-awareness, leadership presence, and the ability to influence others. Participants will explore how to project confidence and credibility, adapt their leadership style to different situations, and drive engagement and accountability across teams. The session introduces practical frameworks and techniques to influence without authority, communicate decisions effectively, and secure buy-in at all levels of the organization. Through interactive discussions, self-reflection, and applied exercises, participants will develop a more intentional and impactful management approach.

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MODULE 3: Building & Leading High-Performing Teams (by Leah DeVellis)

This module explores what differentiates high-performing teams from average ones. Participants will learn how to build alignment, clarify roles, and foster collaboration within their teams. The session focuses on practical leadership behaviors that enhance trust, engagement, and accountability at the team level. Participants will examine common team dysfunctions and learn strategies to address them proactively. Emphasis is placed on creating clarity of purpose, improving coordination, and enabling teams to deliver results.

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MODULE 4: Communicating with Clarity, Impact & Influence (by Leah DeVellis)

Effective communication is a core leadership capability that drives clarity, alignment, and performance. This module provides practical tools to communicate with purpose, adapt to different audiences, and influence effectively across a variety of situations. Participants will explore key communication frameworks, assess their personal style, and learn how to adjust their approach to reduce misunderstandings and improve collaboration. The session also introduces feedback as a critical communication skill, equipping participants with practical techniques to give and receive feedback constructively, support performance, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

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MODULE 5: Managing Conflict & Building Personal Resilience (by David Pratt)

This module equips participants with practical tools to navigate workplace conflict and build personal resilience. Participants will learn to identify the root causes of conflict, apply structured approaches to resolution, and manage difficult conversations with confidence. The session also explores resilience as a critical leadership capability, helping managers remain effective under pressure and uncertainty. By combining conflict management techniques with resilience strategies, participants will be better prepared to handle challenges while maintaining team cohesion and performance.

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Understanding & Managing the Organization

MODULE 6: Understanding the Organization: Strategy, Value & Organizational Excellence (by Patrick Doyon)

This module introduces participants to the fundamentals of how organisations create and deliver value. It explores key concepts such as business models, strategy, and performance drivers, while introducing the Organisational Excellence (OX) framework as a structured way to understand organisational effectiveness. Participants will gain a holistic view of how different parts of a business fit together and how managers contribute to strategic outcomes. The session bridges the gap between day-to-day management and broader business understanding.

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MODULE 7: Driving Organizational Performance: Aligning People, Processes & Execution (by Patrick Doyon)

Building on the previous module, this session focuses on how to translate strategy into execution. Participants will explore how to align people, processes, and priorities to drive consistent organizational performance. Using the Organisational Excellence framework, the module highlights the importance of clarity, alignment, and disciplined execution. Participants will learn practical approaches to ensure that teams are working toward shared goals and delivering measurable results.

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MODULE 8: Fostering Creativity, Innovation & Continuous Improvement (by Tim Haats)

This module explores how managers can foster creativity and innovation within their teams and organisations. Participants will challenge common misconceptions about creativity and learn practical techniques to generate ideas, encourage experimentation, and drive continuous improvement. The session highlights the role of leadership in creating environments where innovation can thrive. Participants will leave with tools to unlock creative potential and support ongoing improvement in their teams.

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MODULE 9: Leading Organizational Change (an Interactive Simulation) (by Patrick Doyon)

This highly interactive module immerses participants in a realistic business simulation where they must lead an organisational change initiative. Participants will diagnose challenges, develop a change plan, and implement strategies in a dynamic environment. The session emphasizes both the technical and human aspects of change leadership. By applying tools and frameworks in real time, participants will gain practical experience in navigating complexity, influencing stakeholders, and driving successful change outcomes.

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MODULE 10: Capstone Integration: Applying the Management Essentials Best Practices (by Patrick Doyon)

The capstone module brings together the key concepts and tools from the entire program into an integrated learning experience. Participants will apply what they have learned to real-world scenarios, reflecting on how to lead effectively across people, teams, and organisational contexts. Through structured discussions and expert insights, this session reinforces key takeaways and helps participants translate learning into actionable next steps. The module also includes a panel discussion with experienced leaders to provide practical perspectives and advice.

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