Bitesize training courses → Management & leadership → Performance management
Training course:
Performance management
Give your managers the skills and confidence to turn appraisals into ongoing conversations that lift performance, not just tick boxes. We focus on practical tools, clear language and habits that make progress visible and meaningful for everyone.
Two hours • In-person or remote • 4-15 participants
Rated 4.7/5 ★★★★★ from 47 recent reviews
Why this course?
Great performance does not happen by accident. It comes from clarity, cadence and candour.
Our performance management training helps managers turn expectations into everyday habits, so people know what good looks like, how they are doing and what to do next. The result is momentum that lasts beyond appraisal season. It works just as well for hybrid teams as it does when everyone is in the same room.
Managers leave with practical language and simple frameworks they can use immediately. We also build confidence in giving timely feedback that is specific, fair and focused on the future. That mix reduces defensiveness, addresses underperformance early and keeps high performers stretching.
For HR and L&D, this translates into fewer escalations, better quality one-to-ones and more consistent standards across teams. You get stronger engagement and a culture where performance conversations feel normal rather than nerve-wracking.
In short, performance management training for managers that saves time, lifts results and supports wellbeing.
Format at a glance
Two hours, live and interactive. Delivered virtually or at your UK workplace. Ideal for groups of 4 to 15. Includes concise course notes and practical tools.
Perfect for
Managers and team leads who want to:
Set clear expectations and keep people on track
Turn annual reviews into useful, regular check-ins
Give candid feedback that strengthens trust
Support underperformance fairly and confidently
Who this course is for
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First-line and middle managers who run appraisals and regular one to ones
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HR and People leaders who coach managers on performance
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Project leads and supervisors who align goals across teams
What participants will learn
By the end of this manager training course, participants will:
Set SMART objectives that align with business goals and are easy to monitor
Identify suitable measures and capture relevant evidence of progress
Run focused one to ones and regular check-ins that keep momentum high
Give praise and constructive criticism with confidence, securing buy-in for change
Prepare for and conduct a fair, forward-looking appraisal meeting
Use performance management as a development tool, not a paper exercise
Core topics covered
What performance management is for
We clarify how performance management creates clarity, builds accountability and strengthens culture. Participants see how a simple rhythm of goals, feedback and review improves results across hybrid and in-person teams.
Setting SMART objectives
Managers learn to write specific, measurable and motivating goals that align to business priorities. We share tips that keep objectives alive during the year, so progress is visible and performance management training translates into everyday habits.
Conducting appraisal meetings
Participants use a clear structure to run fair, future-focused conversations that feel supportive, not transactional. We cover preparation, questions that unlock insight and how to agree meaningful outcomes and follow-up.
Progress reviews and feedback
We practise short, focused check-ins that keep people on track and reduce surprises at appraisal time. Managers take away language for praise and course correction that lowers defensiveness and secures commitment to next steps.
Gathering evidence
Attendees discover quick, fair ways to capture the right data, from success metrics to real examples of behaviour. We show how to avoid recency bias and build a balanced picture that supports confident decisions.
Action planning
Everyone leaves with a simple framework that turns insight into practical next actions with owners and timelines. This keeps momentum high after the workshop and embeds performance management training for managers back on the job.
Course Delivery
Our management training courses for new managers are designed to be short, powerful, and easy to fit into busy schedules.
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2 hours, packed with high-impact learning
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Delivered in-person anywhere in the world, or virtually for remote teams
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Best for 4–15 participants to maximise engagement
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Live, interactive, discussion-based with no long lectures or death by powerpoint
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All our courses can be tailored to your organisation’s values, culture, and goals
Provide useful performance management training for your managers.
Pair this with
Managing difficult conversations
For fair, constructive performance and behaviour discussions
Conflict resolution
For restoring working relationships while maintaining standards
Coaching skills for managers
To build ownership and momentum between reviews
Outcomes you can expect
Organisations choose this course to help managers:
Raise clarity and standards across teams
Increase motivation through fair, frequent feedback
Reduce appraisal anxiety and admin while improving quality
Turn performance data into better decisions and development plans
💡Ask about a connected pathway for first time managers that covers the essentials. We’ll help you shape a high impact sequence that fits your calendar.
Frequently asked questions
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Yes. We focus on the essential mindset, models and phrases that managers can put into practice straight away. For teams who want more practice or to explore complex cases, we can add coaching clinics or combine this with complementary sessions.
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Yes. We explore how to keep goals visible and feedback flowing in virtual settings, and how to rebuild momentum when face-to-face time is limited.
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Absolutely. We adapt scenarios, terminology and policy references to your context. If you have particular themes or cases you want to explore, we will build them into the practice in a sensitive way.
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Yes. Short, realistic exercises help people try out language for praise, course-correction and end-of-period reviews.
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Each attendee gets concise course notes to support transfer to the workplace.
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This course is designed for in-house groups. If you have a smaller group, speak to us about any future open courses by getting in touch here.
Recent reviews for our Performance Management training
“A really well paced course, with lots of insights into how I should conduct future performance meetings.” ★★★★★
“Our trainer was excellent at getting us all engaged in the topic, and provided lots of information, plus ideas for further reading for us to improve ourselves.” ★★★★★
“The facilitator was outstanding at pulling all our answers together and was extremely engaging with us.” ★★★★★
“Angela is great at delivering these sessions, and I find them very helpful.” ★★★★★
“The trainer was great - allowed discussions between managers and brought all the ideas together.” ★★★★★
“The course was an open but confidential way to share our own experiences. and hear others experiences and what they did, which helped!” ★★★★★
Why book this training session? 🤔
🔥 Boost performance
Don’t put excellence out of reach through a lack of candour or clarity. This training session is all about ‘doing the right things well’ so everyone knows exactly what’s expected of them.
🚀 Increase engagement
Team members can’t fully excel without a solid grasp of expectations and a framework for success. Ensure your managers are giving them the structure and challenge they need to stay motivated and excited about their work.
🗓 Great for appraisal season
Performance management should be a year-round process, but this course is nevertheless a popular choice in the run-up to annual or biannual performance reviews, adding structure, honesty and confidence to the process.
“Maximal learning in a short, but intense, session. This is definitely the way forward for management training, as far as I am concerned.”
Professor Niamh Moran, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland ★★★★★
