Personal and Business Competencies / Management Skills

Manager Academy - from operational to strategic manager

A four-day, modular development program for managers — it leads from effective operational management to strategic thinking and action. It covers leadership, managing the team and results, strategic thinking, and managing change and organizational development.

A good operational manager is not the same as a strategic leader — yet promotion requires both competencies

Many managers handle tasks brilliantly: they plan, delegate, hold people accountable, put out fires. The problem begins when the organization expects them to think in terms of direction, value and the future — not just current effectiveness. The transition from operational to strategic manager is one of the hardest leaps in a career.

Manager Academy - from operational to strategic manager is a four-day, modular development program by EITT for managers. Delivered on-site or remotely, it leads the participant through the full path: from the foundations of operational management, through leadership and team building, to strategic thinking and change management.

Who is this program for?

For managers who want to grow from being an effective executor into a leader who sets direction. Especially when:

You manage a team at the task level and want to think in terms of the whole organization
You are being promoted to a middle or senior management position and need strategic competencies
You are responsible for implementing change and developing your teams

Four modules: from operations to strategy

The program is built from four modules that walk the participant along a development path. Module one grounds the operational manager’s foundation. Module two develops leadership and the building of an engaged team. Module three introduces strategic thinking. Module four teaches change management and organizational development and ends with an individual leadership development plan.

What will you learn at the Academy?

Moving from operational to strategic thinking
Building and leading a team based on trust and accountability
Managing results and goals in alignment with the organization’s strategy
Leading the team through change using the Kotter and ADKAR models
Consciously developing your own leadership style

Manager Academy is part of EITT’s managerial development path. It is preceded by the From colleague to boss - First Time Manager training and complemented by Dare to Lead — courageous leadership based on the Brené Brown model.

Benefits

Move from operational thinking (tasks) to strategic thinking (direction, value, future)
Build and lead a team based on engagement and accountability
Manage results and goals in alignment with the organization's strategy
Lead the team and organization through change using proven models
Consciously develop your own leadership style and leader brand
Make managerial decisions under uncertainty and with limited resources

Who is this training for?

Operational managers preparing for strategic roles

Team leaders being promoted to middle and senior management positions

Leaders who manage tasks effectively and want to think in organizational terms

Managers responsible for implementing change and developing their teams

Directors and business owners building a new generation of managers

Participants in talent programs and managerial succession paths

Prerequisites

At least one year of experience managing a team or process
Currently holding a managerial role or preparing to take one on
Willingness to work on your own leadership style between modules

Training program

The four functions of a manager — planning, organizing, motivating, controlling — in everyday practice
Setting team goals and priorities in alignment with organizational goals
Delegating, monitoring and holding tasks accountable without falling into micromanagement
Diagnosing team maturity and adapting the leadership style (Blanchard's SL II model)

The difference between management and leadership — when each is needed
Leadership styles and their impact on results and team atmosphere
Building trust, psychological safety and accountability in the team
Feedback and development conversations as a tool for building engagement

What strategic thinking is and how it differs from operational planning
Analysis of the environment and the organization's position — basic strategic tools
Translating strategy into team goals and concrete actions (goal cascading)
Making decisions under uncertainty and managing risk

Change management models (Kotter, ADKAR) and their practical application
Communicating change and working with team resistance
Developing employees and building succession paths
A plan for developing your own leadership — an individual action plan after the Academy

Delivery Methods

Online

Convenience of participating from anywhere
Interactive live sessions with trainer
Materials available for 30 days
No travel costs

On-site

Direct contact with trainer and group
Intensive hands-on workshops
Networking with other participants
Full focus on learning

Training Topics

Frequently asked questions

How does Manager Academy differ from a single management training?

It is a comprehensive, four-module program that walks through the whole development path — from effective operational management to strategic thinking. Between modules, participants work on their own leadership style, which makes the effect more lasting than a one-off training.

Who is Manager Academy for?

For operational managers and team leaders who manage tasks effectively and want to develop strategic competencies — thinking in organizational terms, change management and building an engaged team.

How long is the program and in what format?

The program comprises 4 training days arranged into modules, available on-site and online. The modular structure allows new knowledge to be implemented between sessions.

Does the program end with an individual development plan?

Yes — the final module ends with the creation of an individual leadership development plan, which the participant implements in their organization after the Academy.

Will I receive a certificate after the program?

Yes, each participant receives a personalized certificate of completion of the Manager Academy issued by EITT.