Skip navigation

5 ways to help your managers step up their games

Transform your management skills using actionable tips – set goals, provide effective feedback, manage strengths, be a coach and enroll in tailored training.

A young man sips his coffee while working on his laptop in a coffee shopA young man sips his coffee while working on his laptop in a coffee shop

Table of contents

Insights from Ellen Raim, Founder of People MatterWe focus more on solving than preventing People problems.

Being a stellar manager is more crucial than ever as we figure out how to incorporate AI into our businesses. In the spirit of fostering a learning culture and driving employee development, we’ve got some actionable tips to help you up your team’s management game with a fresh perspective.

Make sure your managers set meaningful goals.

Ever wondered how to align your team's efforts with organizational goals? Consider having your managers set meaningful goals using the objectives and key results (OKR) framework. 

Meaningful goals help ensure everyone understands their role in the bigger picture. Here's what you can do:

  • Establish qualitative objectives and key results for each team member.
  • Regularly revisit goals and OKRs during performance reviews for progress checks.
  • Implement training on goal setting to align individual goals with company-wide objectives.

Ask your managers to provide more (and better) feedback.

Feedback is a superpower, but not all feedback is created equal. Managers should balance constructive feedback with positive reinforcement to create a supportive environment. Here's your action plan to have managers provide more feedback:

  • Cultivate a feedback culture with a mix of positive and constructive feedback.
  • Offer training on effective feedback techniques to your managers.
  • In parallel, offer career training to your individual contributors, so they’ll be ready to listen.

Have your managers manage to their teams’ strengths.

Strength-based management is a game-changer. Instead of focusing on weaknesses, ask your managers to emphasize showcasing their teams’ strengths for a more engaged and productive workforce. Here's how:

  • Help your managers identify and name individual strengths within your team.
  • Align work assignments with employees' strengths for a fulfilling work experience.
  • Introduce Electives Membership for personalized skill development based on strengths.

Teach your managers to be coaches, not bosses.

Shift your managers from directive mode to coaching mode. Help them empower their teams by asking questions, challenging assumptions and guiding toward independent problem-solving. Your coaching journey starts here:

  • Encourage employees to think through and articulate their approaches.
  • Bolster coaching skills through training for leadership development.
  • Offer culture-building opportunities across the organization.

Learn live. Adapt faster.

Latest resources

Learn more about creating a culture of learning throughout our resources below.

Celebrating MLK Day by creating equity in the workplace
Electives team
 
Dec 12, 2025

Celebrating MLK Day by creating equity in the workplace

MLK Day is a great time to reflect on the work Reverend King did to promote racial equality – and consider what more needs to be done to create equity for all.
Culture + collaboration
How to rebuild momentum after major change
Electives team
 
Dec 10, 2025

How to rebuild momentum after major change

Rebuild team momentum after layoffs, restructuring or leadership changes. Practical strategies to restore energy, trust and productivity during year-end transitions.
Culture + collaboration
Closing the gap between learning and doing
Electives team
 
Dec 9, 2025

Closing the gap between learning and doing

Learn how to close the gap between learning and doing with practical strategies that drive real behavior change and measurable ROI.
Learning best practices
Why your managers are exhausted (and how to stop the cycle)
Electives team
 
Dec 3, 2025

Why your managers are exhausted (and how to stop the cycle)

New research shows surface acting creates a cycle of exhaustion that kills manager performance. Here's how L&D can break the pattern.
Leadership + management
How to celebrate World Introvert Day at work
Electives team
 
Dec 2, 2025

How to celebrate World Introvert Day at work

Celebrate World Introvert Day by helping introverts feel included at work. Here are simple ways to bring out the best in your introverted employees.
Culture + collaboration
How to celebrate Human Rights Day at work
Electives team
 
Dec 1, 2025

How to celebrate Human Rights Day at work

Human Rights Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the freedoms that the UDHR granted us and raises awareness of how people’s human rights can be violated. How should you celebrate Human Rights Day? We have 3 great ways.
Culture + collaboration

View all posts

ENJOYABLE. EASY. EFFECTIVE.

Learning that works.

With live learning + AI simulations, Electives is a learning platform that makes it easy to design, execute and measure effectiveness.

Request a demo

Request a demo

Learn more

Learn more