University Human Resources

Management Essentials

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Management Essentials

The Management Essentials Program is a comprehensive learning initiative aimed at equipping our managers with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective leadership in today's work environment, including the knowledge and skills needed to cultivate engaged and productive teams.

This training will be delivered using a cohort model, with each group consisting of 25 new and existing managers who oversee at least one full-time FTE direct report.

This program is divided into six modules, with the initial focus on building self-awareness, effective manager characteristics, and powerful communication strategies. The remaining modules will guide managers through Brown's key HR policies and processes, enhancing problem-solving skills through practical vignettes. 

  1. Program Overview and Introduction to CliftonStrengths
    Identify the characteristics of a Brown Manager. Gain increased self-awareness of your strengths.
  2. Communication: Connect Through Conversation
    Apply powerful communication and conversation skills and strategies to facilitate meaningful interactions in various work modalities.
  3. Compensation Services
    Assess organizational structure before filling a vacancy. Write an effective job description. Learn about the job audit process and other compensation policies and procedures.
  4. Recruiting and Staffing
    Learn best practices and policies for hiring and onboarding talent.
  5. Employee Relations and Benefits
    Learn how to manage employees and solve performance issues, while also promoting usage of Brown's benefit programs.
  6. Talent Development and Continuous Performance Management
    Leverage talent development for employee growth and retention. Manage performance through quality feedback and coaching.

The Manager's Journey at Brown

At Brown University, the manager's journey is a comprehensive experience that nurtures growth, fosters excellence, and bridges the overlap between managing and leading. It begins with foundational onboarding, compliance, and role-based training, establishing a solid grasp of university policies – the bedrock of effective management.

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Start your journey

 
  • Onboarding
  • Compliance training
  • Role-based training as required

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Participate in learning opportunities

 
  • New Employee Orientation
  • Management Essentials
  • Leadership Certification Program

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Explore other programs

 
  • Staff Development Day
  • Administrative Fellows Program
  • Employee Education Program
  • School of Professional Studies programs
  • Departmental trainings and retreats

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Fine-tune your skills

 
  • LinkedIn Learning
  • eLearning
  • Talent Development Library
  • On the job training
  • Stretch assignments

Benefits of the Program

The Management Essentials program helps managers better understand themselves and the qualities of effective managers at Brown University. By identifying their key strengths through the CliftonStrengths assessment, managers receive instruction on how to apply these strengths in their roles, leading to more impactful results.

The program also focuses on improving communication skills for both remote and onsite work settings, facilitating genuine interactions. Bite-sized learning moments integrated into the modules teach vital skills like delegation and conflict resolution, providing valuable tools for navigating various challenges. 

Upon completion, participants will:

  • Enhance self-awareness and understand effective manager characteristics at Brown.
  • Identify their top 5 strengths through the CliftonStrengths assessment and receive instruction on utilizing them effectively.
  • Apply powerful communication and conversation skills for remote and onsite work.
  • Develop essential management skills for difficult conversations.
  • Proficiently solve HR-related management challenges through practical vignettes.
  • Continue their development through extended learning recommendations.
  • Receive a digital badge from Credly upon completing the program, which can be easily shared on your email signature, LinkedIn, and other social media.

Eligibility and Participation

Anyone who manages at least 1 full-time direct report can participate in the program. Once enrolled in the program, participants will be responsible for completing the following items:

  1. Complete the CliftonStrengths assessment ahead of the program.
  2. Allocate 15-20 minutes for pre-session work before each module.
  3. Further your learning through self-paced extended resources, tailored to your journey.

Schedule and Registration

If you are interested in participating, please register in Workday via the links below.  If you encounter any issues with registration, please contact us at talentdevelopment@brown.edu.

CliftonStrengths for Managers

Are you a graduate of Management Essentials? If so, take your learning to the next level and join the CliftonStrengths for Managers Program, designed to build on what you learned in Management Essentials. 

This program empowers managers to leverage their strengths effectively, understand and manage individuals based on their strengths, and foster a strengths-based approach within their teams. In this follow-up program, you will work with a small cohort of managers to explore how to use CliftonStrengths with impact. The program consists of two Zoom sessions for managers and an optional team retreat for managers to facilitate independently after the program.

Managers are asked to have their team members complete the CliftonStrengths assessment. The assessment costs $10 per person and is charged to the manager's department.

Enroll in the program now in Workday

From there, you'll be able to view the upcoming sessions for each offering. 

If you have any questions, please email talentdevelopment@brown.edu.

Program Graduates