What This Program Is NOT:
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Generic leadership inspiration
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Personality-based management styles
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Quick tips or motivational content
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Remediation for struggling managers
Most leadership programs focus on skills: communication, delegation, motivation.
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Foundation First starts earlier — with role clarity.
The Core 4 provides that foundation.
Why These Four Modules
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Before you can communicate effectively as a manager, you need to understand:
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What the role actually requires
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How your responsibilities have changed
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What success now means
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What This Program IS:
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Professional preparation for a professional role
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Role-based capability development
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Structured support for a predictable transition
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Readiness, not remediation
04
Core Module 4: Conversations That Prevent Problems
You will learn to address issues early, deliver feedback clearly and calmly, and prevent the people problems that consume management time. The conversation you have been avoiding is growing. You will learn to have it. You stop managing around problems and start solving them.
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Duration: 1 month
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Time Commitment: 2 live sessions, 1 office hour, 3 hrs/week self-directed work
Week 1-2: Feedback as Guidance, Not Criticism
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Why avoiding feedback causes more harm than giving it
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How to deliver feedback clearly and calmly
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Normalizing performance conversations
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The difference between coaching and correction
What You'll Learn:
Week 3-4: Addressing Issues Early
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How to intervene before problems escalate
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Difficult conversation frameworks
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When to involve HR (and when not to)
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Preventing issues through clarity, not control
Key Frameworks:
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Feedback Preparation Template
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Early Intervention Conversation Model
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Performance Issue Escalation Path
Application Work:
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Identify one conversation you've been avoiding
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Prepare and deliver that feedback
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Document your feedback approach for future use
03
Core Module 3: Authority, Trust & Confidence
You will build authority through consistency, clarity, and genuine investment in helping your people succeed. How to lead without needing consensus and how to make the calls that are yours to make. You make decisions with confidence instead of hesitation.
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Duration: 1 month
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Time Commitment: 2 live sessions, 1 office hour, 3 hrs/week self-directed work
Week 1-2: Understanding Authority as Responsibility
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Authority is not dominance or control
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The difference between positional authority and earned trust
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Why over-explaining undermines your leadership
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How to lead without seeking constant approval
What You'll Learn:
Week 3-4: Building Trust and Confidence
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Trust comes from consistency, not likability
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Confidence rooted in role clarity, not personality
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How to make decisions you don't feel "ready" for
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Recovering from mistakes without losing credibility
Key Frameworks:
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Authority Spectrum
(Directive ↔ Collaborative) -
Trust-Building Through Consistency
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Confidence vs. Certainty Model
Application Work:
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Identify where you're over-explaining or seeking approval
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Practice making a decision without consensus
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Build your "leadership presence" statement
02
Core Module 2: Time, Attention & Priorities
You will learn how managerial time should actually be spent, and why most new managers get this wrong by default. Delegation frameworks, calendar architecture, and the shift from execution to enablement so you can leave work at a reasonable hour. You stop working evenings to do your team's work.
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Duration: 1 month
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Time Commitment: 2 live sessions, 1 office hour, 3 hrs/week self-directed work
Week 1-2: How Managerial Time Should Be Spent
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The shift from execution to enablement
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Where your attention should actually go
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Why reactive management keeps you overextended
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Calendar architecture for managers
What You'll Learn:
Week 3-4: Delegation and Decision-Making
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What to delegate (and what to keep)
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How to delegate without micromanaging
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Decision-making frameworks
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Reducing bottlenecks you're creating
Key Frameworks:
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Manager Time Allocation Model
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Delegation Decision Matrix
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Priority Hierarchy for Finance Managers
Application Work:
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Audit your current time allocation
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Identify 3 things to delegate this month
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Create your manager calendar template
01
Core Module 1:
The Role Shift
You will understand what actually changes when you step into this role, and why nobody explained it. You will learn how to renegotiate relationships with former colleagues, understand your authority, and let go of the identity that got you promoted. You stop doing the wrong job.
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Duration: 1 month
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Time Commitment: 2 live sessions (2 hrs each), 1 office hour, 3 hrs/week self-directed work
Week 1-2: What It Actually Means to Be a Manager
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How your role fundamentally changes
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Letting go of individual output as primary value measure
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What you're now responsible for (and what you're not)
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Why this feels uncomfortable — and why that's normal
What You'll Learn:
Week 3-4: Managing Former Peers
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Renegotiating relationships when hierarchy changes
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Authority vs. friendship: navigating the tension
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Confidentiality and loyalty in the new role
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Setting boundaries without losing connection
Key Frameworks:
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The Role Transition Matrix
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Peer-to-Manager Relationship Reset
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Authority Boundaries Framework
Application Work:
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Identify your top 3 role clarity gaps
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Draft your "new normal" conversation with former peers
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Reflect on what you need to stop doing, start doing, continue doing
Module Breakdown
How the Program Works
Each Month Includes:
Live Cohort Sessions
(2 per month)
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2 hours each, virtual via Zoom
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Interactive discussions, case studies, peer learning
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Attend at least 1 of the 2 sessions (both recommended)
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Recordings available if you miss a session
Mandatory Office Hours
(1 per month)
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1 hour small-group or individual session
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Bring real-world challenges from your workplace
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Get direct guidance from Shelley
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Problem-solving with peer managers and mentor
Self-Paced Content
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Recorded video lessons
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Reading materials and frameworks
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Self-assessments and reflection exercises
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Access via Foundation First learning portal
Workplace Application
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Practical exercises to apply immediately
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Weekly reflection prompts
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Peer accountability (optional)
What Comes Next
Completion Certificate:
Upon finishing all 4 core modules, you receive a Foundation First Manager Readiness Certificate.
Alumni Community:
Access to ongoing peer discussions, quarterly alumni sessions, and continued learning resources.
Optional Elective Modules ($850-900 each):
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Performance Management in Finance Teams
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Difficult Conversations: Advanced Scenarios
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Building Your Leadership Presence
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Managing Through Change and Uncertainty
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Coaching Your Team Members
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Strategic Thinking for Finance Managers
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Building Cross-Functional Relationships
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Time Management for Senior Managers
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