Leading People Who are Leading People

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New Course • The Newly Appointed Manager

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About Us

We deliver innovative training and coaching online to managers, supervisors, and team leaders both current and future. While working as senior managers ourselves we realized that for most people, management training just misses the mark and isn’t relevant to their needs – that is if it is delivered to them at all! And we wanted to change that! So, we used the skills we’d learned over our combined 60 years of management, to create a tightly focused set of learning experiences at a reasonable price. These experiences mean, that no matter what life throws at you as a manager, you will have the skills and knowledge to sail on through. 

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Course

Newly Appointed Manager

You have been appointed to your role as a manager for many reasons. One of the most likely reasons is that you excelled as an operator. You may not even have looked for this role aggressively but by doing well as an individual contributor you’ve come to the attention of your management. As a result, someone made the decision to give you a chance at a higher level.

You might have mixed feelings about this sudden elevation. It’s certain you’ll miss the comfort of your old role – a place where you knew where everything was and where you were confident you could handle anything.

We have the solution for you.

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We’ll show you how to turn around performance that is dropping persistently, we’ll even show you how to deliver a discipline. We work with you to help you understand how to motivate the disgruntled, deal with complaints, and whisper it, manage that boss of yours. Now what could be better?

What our students say

Testimonial

“As a manager, I felt I was in professional hands, he is a leader with vast experience leading people. I noticed his professionalism from day one, and I felt he gave me the best pieces of advice every time I went to him to ask him for his opinion about different situations in the office.”

Priscianis Palma Zarzavilla, Founder, Global Possibility Studies, Panama City, Panama

Testimonial

“Aoife’s presentation on technostress was so well received by our group. Aoife’s presentation is insightful and challenging. The presentation style is so engaging and I was pleasantly surprised at how our large team jumped right in to the thoughtful exercises – it’s Aoife’s authenticity and caring, resonating through the screen that had the team feeling immediately comfortable to share. I’ve already put some of Aoife’s insights to work myself and considered ways I can support my team in healthier technology habits. Thanks Aoife!

Joylene Groat, Director of Performance and Strategy, IESO

Testimonial

“Paul does an excellent job blending the theory with the practical, making it feel as if every point of discussion is grounded in rigorous research while also being relevant to each person day to day.”

Jack Pfeifer, Director Regional Clients, Mind Gym, Greater Chicago Area

Testimonial

“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to hear Aoife speak at an internal learning event at my organization. Aoife’s session on Technostress was exceptional. The content was very relevant, especially considering the remote/hybrid working situations that have made us even more reliant on technology. Aoife walked us through some of the research around technology use and burnout and shared some great tips on how to break unhealthy technology habits. The session was well facilitated and engaging. Aoife clearly outlined the key messages and made it easy to see what I could do to change my current habits. I would recommend this session if you are looking to learn more about technology-induced stress and would like some practical tips to support you in breaking unhealthy habits. – Allie Lang”

Allie Lang, Learning and Development Consultant IESO

Testimonial

“I felt comfortable working with him. He brought the best out in me in this leadership programme, I felt highly motivated and was extremely participative throughout the entire module. I highly recommend Paul to anyone who is considering him to be your educator or mentor. You will be in good hands.”

Deema Yanni Ma’at, Regional Talent Acquisition Head, Africa Middle East and Asia Pacific, MBCC Group, Singapore

Testimonial

“I started working with Aoife during the second lock-down period. I was feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. Since having, my now 3 year old I felt like my career was on hold while I was juggling being a working parent and then the pandemic hit. While I continued to see results from a job perspective I struggled to focus on my career path and goals. Aoife really helped me cut through the noise. She helped me work on managing my time as well as my emotions.  Since working with her I have a much better understanding of myself, my emotions as well as others.  Aoife has helped me create strategies I can better manage home and work life balance.  She’s helped me rebuild my career goals and on the back of this I have recently been offered a promotion in work. Aoife’s helped me build up my confidence as a Mum as well as professionally. I couldn’t recommend her more, it’s been a game changer for me and with lasting results that continue to push me forward.”

Fiona O’Brien, Account Director, LinkedIn

Testimonial

“Paul approaches each task with an open mind, he carefully considers his audience and seeks to understand their learning styles from the outset and learns very quickly how best to communicate with them. This creates a superb rapport that lends to the whole learning experience.”

Paul Cronin. Manager, HR L&D, Europe, West Pharmaceutical Services

Testimonial

“I had a team that I really struggled to get the best out of and as a result their performance was very poor. I was of the mindset that the problem was the quality of my team members and not me. Aoife coached me to bring me to the realisation that I could only control my own leadership style and through making small changes in my approach could have the biggest impact. As a result, I completely changed my leadership style and hence the performance of my team. My own ego was getting in the way of me seeing what really needed to change, which was me. Anyone who is considering developing their ability to lead a team through effective coaching, Aoife will be able to give you the tools you need to do so. She is a very grounded individual who is very well educated in all things coaching and leadership. In 6 months’ time the only question you will ask yourself is why you didn’t do it years ago. Make a life changing decision and get coached from the best of the best in the industry.” 

Seán McArdle, Managing Director, Greenwood Tiling Ltd.

Testimonial

“Paul has such a calming presence and can connect at every level within an organisation, his knowledge and ability to coach others is a real strength.”

Emma-Jean Lamond, Learning & Development Partner, Greenergy, Manchester, UK

Testimonial

“By working with Aoife, I learned that I didn’t need to have all the answers for my direct reports, but I needed to coach the team to work together. I learned to delegate tasks by identifying different individual strengths and to be clear in my communication. The process was more enjoyable for everyone and I gained full commitment from my team which resulted in achieving our targets from the first month after working with Aoife, as well as the team going on to promote the new way of working to other teams.”

Sinéad Duffy, People Operations Manager, eBay

Testimonial

“My main learnings were on how Paul managed the class. Paul stimulated discussion and really let the class learn from each other. There was never a stupid question, and people were encouraged to speak and engage in the environment he created. Mainly due to how Paul would listen and really try to understand your point. Going forward I’ve learned more about how to manage a team, by seeing how he managed a diverse MBA class than in any book or course. We learned as much from each other as from Paul, but he was able to build that environment and that’s something I’ll be taking forward into my management in the future. While his genuine feedback and care for us, has meant I’ve gone back to him again and again for advice whenever I’ve needed it.”

Ciaran O’Connell, Project Manager, Murphy Kennedy Group, Greater New York City Area

Testimonial

“When I started working with Aoife I had been stuck in the same role for 4 years and struggling to get the growth opportunities I was chasing. Aoife helped me see the things I wasn’t aware of, and the elements in my own behaviours that were affecting the way I was perceived by others.

With a mix of pure coaching and direct and honest feedback, she has unlocked my ability to adjust to the situations, control my emotions, develop a professional and effective communication style. Within a year of working with her I got my first promotion and since then I’ve moved up 2 more steps in my career. Sometimes we focus a lot on the “what” we do and forget about the “how”. Becoming aware of that has been a complete win for me and it’s very much thanks to Aoife.”

Franco Buonocore, Global Risk Manager eBay

Testimonial

“I love that Aoife is so open and upfront. Through her coaching, she not only helps you to realise your potential but she also helps you to find the solution to your challenges without making you feel like you are being “coached.” Aoife is trustworthy and empowers her fellow coaches and leaders. My biggest learning from Aoife was the power to believe in myself.”

Josephine Moorhouse, People Operations Manager, eBay

Testimonial

“Aoife doesn’t do anything by half. If she is working with someone, she gives it her all, her absolute 100%. I love seeing people being in jobs, they were meant to be in. Aoife will make any business that bit better. Look forward to working with Aoife again in the future.”

Phil Meegan, Operations Leader, Graebel Companies Inc.

Meet your coaches

Paul Dononvan

An expert in coaching and developing managers borne out of a distinguished career as a practitioner in operations and human resources roles and his work for two decades as a management development consultant.

Aoife Donovan Lee

Aoife is a leadership learning and development specialist with expertise in the areas of high performance leadership and building emotional intelligence.

New Course • The Newly Appointed Manager

Join the course →