Step confidently into your new leadership role with TrainSMART’s Leadership Directions program. Designed for emerging leaders and first-time managers, this interactive workshop provides the tools, mindset, and communication strategies needed to lead with clarity, confidence, and influence.

Whether you’re managing people for the first time or refining your approach as an experienced supervisor, Leadership Directions builds the foundation for long-term leadership success.

What Is the Leadership Directions Program?

Leadership Directions is a customizable leadership training program for first-time managers developed by TrainSMART to support professionals transitioning from individual contributor to people leader.

The program blends discussion, self-assessment, role-play, and real-world scenarios so participants can practice applying new leadership techniques immediately. Each module helps new managers understand what’s expected of them—and how to deliver results through effective communication, trust, and teamwork.

Who Should Attend

This program is ideal for:

  • New supervisors and first-time managers
  • Team leads preparing for leadership roles
  • Professionals recently promoted to manage people
  • Experienced supervisors seeking to refresh their leadership approach

If your organization wants to strengthen communication, boost morale, and build confidence among its new leaders, Leadership Directions is the perfect next step.

What You’ll Learn

Leadership Foundations

Transitioning into leadership comes with unique challenges. In this session, participants will:

  • Define what effective leadership looks like in their organization
  • Identify personal leadership strengths and blind spots
  • Create a transition plan to guide their first 90 days as a leader
  • Communication and Influence

Strong leaders know how to adapt their communication style and inspire trust. In this module, participants will:

  • Recognize and respect different communication styles
  • Adjust tone and delivery to match their audience
  • Listen actively to reduce misunderstandings and build credibility
  • Give and receive feedback clearly and constructively
  • Building High-Performing Teams
  • Successful leaders know how to turn individuals into cohesive, motivated teams.

Participants will:

  • Identify team member strengths and align them with goals
  • Understand team development stages and manage through each phase
  • Establish shared values, accountability, and open communication
  • Facilitate productive discussions and address conflict effectively
  • Leading Effective Meetings

Nearly 70% of workplace meetings are considered unproductive. Meeting Smart©, TrainSMART’s proprietary framework, teaches participants to:

  • Know when to schedule a meeting and when not to
  • Create focused agendas and stick to them
  • Keep participants engaged and on topic
  • Start and end meetings with purpose and clarity
  • Managing Performance and Motivation

Leadership is about helping others perform at their best. This session focuses on:

  • Setting clear goals and expectations
  • Providing feedback and coaching for improvement
  • Recognizing achievements and maintaining morale
  • Collaborating with HR to address performance issues when necessary
  • Time and Decision Management
  • Great leaders make great decisions—and manage their time wisely.

Participants will:

  • Evaluate and improve their time management habits
  • Prioritize effectively to meet deadlines
  • Delegate with clarity and accountability
  • Apply adaptive decision-making strategies to solve complex problems

Program Format

Leadership Directions can be delivered as half-day or full-day sessions, depending on your organization’s scheduling needs and participant goals.

Each session combines short lectures, interactive exercises, and group discussions. Participants develop personalized action plans to ensure the learning continues well beyond the workshop.

Why Choose TrainSMART

For more than 30 years, TrainSMART has partnered with organizations around the world to develop confident, capable leaders.

Our corporate leadership training programs are designed to:

  • Increase employee engagement and morale
  • Improve communication and collaboration across teams
  • Build trust and accountability at every level of leadership
  • Deliver measurable performance results aligned with organizational goals

TrainSMART customizes every Leadership Directions program to reflect your company’s culture, challenges, and leadership competencies.

Ready to Develop Your Leaders?

Help your new managers grow into confident, high-performing leaders who make a measurable difference.

Contact TrainSMART today to customize your Leadership Directions program.