Essentials for New Managers Lab
Lab Outline
Essentials for New Managers is a 3-day lab for new and aspiring non-profit managers to strengthen their management skills. Over three sessions, program participants gain tools and approaches to achieve success in their new management role.
Suggested participants:
You are an ideal candidate if you:
- are new to a non-profit management role or are looking to be promoted in the next 6-12 months.
- provide leadership or supervision in your current role.
- have a vision to take on further management responsibilities in your career.
Important note! If you are the sole employee in your organization (e.g. the executive director), this may NOT be the best program for you. We encourage you to also consider our other programs including: Leadership Principles Lab, Executive Director 101 Lab, and our many workshops.
Lab Outcomes
By the end of this lab, you will be able to:
- Develop self-awareness and learn to empower yourself and others with a strengths-based leadership approach.
- Walk away with tangible tools and frameworks that can be applied when managing others.
- Learn about the ways conflict can show up and how to work through it in a healthy way.
- Think critically about what kind of culture you want to nurture for your team and organization.
Registration Details
Application Deadline: 2 weeks before the start date
Bursary Application Deadline: 1 month before the start date
Location: Online/Virtual
Cost: $649 Non-member | $584 Member
Required Course Material: Top 5 CliftonStrengths (Not included in course fee. To be completed independently online before the start of the course).
Lab Schedule
Choose between our spring or fall cohort.
Spring 2025 Schedule
January 30, 2025 | 9am - 12pm
February 6, 2025 | 9am - 12pm
February 13, 2025 | 9am - 12pm
Fall 2025 Schedule
October 2, 2025 | 1 - 4pm
October 9, 2025 | 1 - 4pm
October 16, 2025 | 1 - 4pm
Meet Our Facilitator

Laurie Robinson
Laurie’s the Recruiting Manager for Hollyburn Family Services and the HR Advisor and Consultant for Hollyburn Family Services Society.
With a Master in Business Administration, Executive Management – Leadership from Royal Roads University and with CPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications, Laurie has over 10 years of experience in HR and Leadership roles with varied organizations across Canada and US.
Previously, Laurie was the Executive Director for the Golden Women’s Resource Centre in Golden, BC and more recently worked as the Interim ED for Global Partners Institute Canada (Foreign Student Exchange Program).
Lab Benefits
- Learn in a safe and welcoming environment with other new non-profit managers
- Walk away with tools and templates that you can use in the role
- Increase your confidence and self-awareness as a leader
Lab Topics
Topics of each of the 3 half-day learning session.
Day 1 – Understanding Yourself and Your Role as a Manager
- Personal leadership strengths
- Leadership vision
- Setting priorities and objectives
- Work plans to achieve your priorities and objectives
Day 2 – Delegation and Performance Support
- Aligning strengths to achieve organizational goals
- The principles of effective delegation
- The performance management cycle
Day 3 – Supporting Your Team’s Performance
- Addressing challenging situations
- Staff/volunteer engagement inclusion