Selecting the Best Manager Training Program (+Templates)

The options seem endless when it comes to leadership training.

Conducting a quick Google search for “manager training program” produces roughly one billion two hundred million results. Given the sheer volume of options available, finding the best manager training program is akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

With the endless options available combined with the time, money, and meeting employee and leader expectations for leadership training for managers, finding the right one that delivers your goals can be challenging. It’s a big decision with many considerations, so putting some effort into uncovering the best program is time well spent.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the components the best manager training programs have in common, questions to ask leadership training providers, a template for you to track it all, and a templated training request letter to secure the budget you need.

Jump To:

1. What do the best manager training programs have in common?
2. 18 questions to ask manager training program providers
3. Manager training program provider tracking template
4. Manager training program funding request letter

What Do The Best Manager Training Programs Have In Common?

While you will have many considerations that go into your decision on which manager training program to pick that will be unique to your situation, such as budget, timing, development goals, and location, there are some commonalities best manager training programs share that you should be on the lookout for. Here is our list of what the best manager training programs have in common.

1. Relevance
2. Clear learning objectives
3. Practical and applicable skill development
4. Interactive and engaging
5. Experienced facilitator

Relevance

The best manager training program is a bit misleading, as for a program to be considered to be the best, it needs to be the best for you. Manager training programs are not one-size-fits-all. Managers have different learning styles, goals, and needs based on their career trajectory and industry. Therefore, you need to find a program that caters to your learning objectives, is relevant to the challenges and opportunities you face, and develops the skills you need now and in the future.

Clear Learning Objectives

When looking for a manager training program, the best ones have clear and measurable learning objectives. These objectives or the skills you’ll walk away with should be clearly defined and match your learning goals. To validate if previous participants achieved the objectives by the end of the program, review any participant scores, testimonials, or reviews on the program and the provider of the manager training.

Practical and Applicable Skill Development

The best management development training programs are the ones where you leave with new skills, knowledge, and confidence that you can immediately apply back on the job.  Research backs this up, as it was found in 2023 that the best manager training programs are the ones where newly acquired skills are applied within the first 48 hours of learning them.

While theory or highly academic programs will build your knowledge of leadership, they won’t build your skill or help you apply the learning to the different situations commonly faced by managers. That’s why finding a program that is both practical and applicable is a must.

Interactive and Engaging Learning Methodology

As Confucius is quoted as saying, “I hear, and I forget. I see, and I remember. I do, and I understand.” The best manager training programs are ones that combine theory with hands-on practice, which is achieved through experiential learning, activities, role plays, and gamification, and not just passively learning by hearing a lecture, reading an article, or watching a video.

A 2022 study confirms the benefits as it uncovered that interactive learning experiences resulted in learners retaining 93.5% of previously learned information vs. only 79% for passive learners after one month.

Experienced Facilitator

An experienced facilitator who is brilliant in the classroom and has also been a manager can be an invaluable asset to your learning. The best manager training programs have facilitators who have “been in your shoes,” so they can share their own experiences and stories that bring the training content to life.

18 Questions To Ask Manager Training Program Providers

Once you’ve narrowed down your search for manager training programs to a handful of options, you’ll want to do your due diligence and answer the following questions by exploring each potential provider’s website and speaking with each directly.

1. What skills will be attained from attending the manager training program?
2. Do these skills match my learning objectives and will help me back on the job?
3. Is the manager training up-to-date and addresses the challenges I currently face?
4. Does the format suit my preferred learning style?
5. What types of learning methodologies are used?
6. Will the training be engaging and interactive?
7. Will I get to practice my new skills in the program?
8. Will the timing work with my schedule?
9. Will I need to travel for the training?
10. Who facilitates the program?
11. What is the facilitator's approach and experience?
12. Are there any assessments or coaching included in the program?
13. Is there any accreditation at the end of the manager training program?
14. How long has the program provider been in business?
15. Does the program provider have a positive reputation?
16. Is the provider willing and able to provide testimonials, references, or participant evaluations?
17. Is the manager training program within my budget?
18. Are there any additional costs for materials, assessments, coaching, travel, or accommodations?
    
    

Manager Training Program Provider Tracking Template

Keep all your manager training options and insights on each provider organized using the Training Provider Checklist. It includes the questions from above and space to record the answers you get from each provider.

While you’re at it, you may want to explore Niagara Institute’s two best-selling manager training programs - Leadership Fundamentals and Advanced Leadership Development. With an average participant score of 4.75 out of 5, these programs are continually ranked as two of the best training programs for new or experienced managers.

Now that you’ve selected your provider based on the components the best manager training programs have, you’ll need to secure a budget for either yourself or an employee to attend. We’ve made asking to participate in a manager training program easy with the Training Request Letter Template, which is entirely editable, so you can make it your own.