Leadership Basics
In this course you build a solid foundation as a manager. You work on your role, communication, feedback, delegating and managing behaviour and results.
NRTO quality mark
Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so feel free to book now.
In brief. Leadership Basics is a classroom course lasting 2 days. You can take it in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague, among other places, in a group of no more than 8 participants. The price is € 1300,- excl. VAT per participant, including course materials, lunch on site and a certificate of attendance. For a team or department we also deliver this course in-company.
- A solid foundation for your leadership
- Practical exercises using your own situations
- Personal attention in a small group
- Directly applicable in your daily practice
- A concrete action plan for your role
As a manager, you deal daily with expectations, behaviour and conversations that don't run smoothly by themselves. In this classroom course you build a solid foundation under your role. You work on communication, managing for results and conversations with impact.
Description
In this classroom course you work on the foundations of your role as a manager. You gain insight into your own way of directing others and learn how to take up your position, including in situations where that does not come naturally.
You will work on communication, expressing expectations and making clear agreements. You will also practise giving feedback, holding difficult conversations and steering on behaviour and results without putting the relationship with your staff under pressure.
You will also look at motivating, delegating and encouraging ownership within your team. You work with situations from your own practice and receive personal feedback in a small group of no more than ten participants. Afterwards you go home with concrete tools and a personal action plan that suits you and your team.
Would you like to take things further? You can combine this course with the Situational Leadership advanced module, with the Coaching Leadership advanced module, or take the complete package.
Topics
- Your role as a manager and how to take up your position
- The transition from colleague to manager
- Communication style and its effect on your team
- Stating expectations clearly and communicating assertively
- Making agreements, following up and managing behaviour
- Addressing behaviour without damaging the relationship
- Giving and receiving feedback
- Handling difficult conversations: resistance, emotion and steering back on course
- Motivating and encouraging ownership
- The various roles of a manager
- Delegating effectively without micromanaging
- Staying steady through change and taking your team with you
- Practising with recognisable real-life situations
- Personal action plan with concrete next steps
Result
After this course:
- you have a clear picture of your role and responsibility as a manager;
- you communicate more clearly about expectations and agreements;
- you conduct conversations with more calm and confidence, even when they are difficult;
- you encourage ownership and involvement within your team;
- delegate more effectively and keep a better overview of results.
Target audience
This course is intended for new managers, team leaders and professionals who manage others and want to strengthen their foundation. Whether you have just taken that step or have been managing for some time and are looking for more to hold on to: you are welcome. No specific prior knowledge is required.
Teaching method
You start with an intake interview in which you set your own learning objectives. The course is taught in a small group of no more than 10 participants, so there is plenty of room for interaction and personal attention.
We work in a practical, experience-based way. You practise with situations from your own work, receive feedback from the trainer and your fellow participants, and get to work with concrete tools you can apply immediately. At the end of the course you go home with new insights and a personal action plan.
Prior knowledge
No specific prior knowledge is required. Motivation and the wish to develop yourself as a manager are enough to take part. Whether you are just starting out or already have experience, you can join straight away.
Comments
This two-day course is the foundation of the leadership programme: you learn to direct, delegate, give feedback and hold conversations with your team.
Want to take it further after that? With the Situational Leadership advanced day you learn to adapt your style to each member of staff and each situation. In the Coaching Leadership advanced module you practise the coaching conversation, so that you let people arrive at solutions themselves. Want both? Then with Leadership Extended you take the whole programme.
If you already know that you want to go further, you'll pay less with Basics + Situational, Basics + Coaching or the extended programme than by taking the components separately, one after another.
Practical information
- Number of days
- 2 days
- Course times
- from 10 am to 5 pm
- Teaching hours
- 12 hours
- Education level
- Suitable for all levels
- Preparation time
- None
- Included
- Course materials and lunch on site
- Certificate
- At the end of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance
- Cancel
- Free up to four weeks before the start (cancellation terms)
Language
The course is given in Dutch as standard. The trainer speaks English. English-language course materials can be used. If at least 3 participants register, the course can also be given entirely in English.
In-company
Would you like to organise this training for a whole group or several groups? This can be cost-effective. For example, we can tailor the content entirely to your organisation, and training a whole group is also cheaper.
Are you looking at large numbers of participants or a complete academy? That involves a great deal. Consider planning and communication, for example, or identifying and agreeing the objectives and content of the training. Or differences in level, feedback mechanisms and safeguarding. Fortunately, Learnit has extensive experience in this field (more than 25 years) and we are happy to help you through this process.
All start dates
2 training days. Confirmed dates first, then in order of date.
- Thu 12 & Thu 26 November 2026Certain to go ahead Utrecht · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 15 October Enrol
- Thu 19 Nov & Thu 3 Dec 2026Certain to go ahead The Hague · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 22 October Enrol
- Wed 28 Oct & Wed 11 Nov 2026 Rotterdam · 10:00–17:00 Enrol
- Thu 10 & Wed 23 December 2026 Rotterdam · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 12 November Enrol
- Wed 20 Jan & Wed 3 Feb 2027 Rotterdam · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 23 December Enrol
- Tue 2 & Tue 16 February 2027 Amsterdam · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 5 January Enrol
- Mon 5 & Mon 19 April 2027 Groningen · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 8 March Enrol
- Mon 5 & Mon 19 April 2027 Zwolle · 10:00–17:00Free cancellation until 8 March Enrol
No suitable start date? Send us a date request, and we'll look at the options together.
This course by city
- Leadership in Amsterdam9 dates
- Leadership in The Hague7 dates
- Leadership in Groningen7 dates
- Leadership in Rotterdam18 dates
- Leadership in Utrecht11 dates
- Leadership in Zwolle6 dates
This course for your team?
Plan your own group on a date that suits you, at your office, at our premises or online. We tailor the content to your day-to-day work, and training a whole group is cheaper than individual bookings.
- Your date and location
- Tailored content
- Multiple groups or an academy are also possible
- More than 25 years' experience
What others say about this course
"A very enjoyable and useful course! I gained plenty of tools and insights for dealing better with the group of volunteers. Lots of opportunity to practise with my own cases, which really helps you retain the material!"
“Enjoyable course and a good, clear explanation.”
“The course was very good and practical. The advantage of a small group appealed to me enormously. The trainer's broad expertise and the ample attention given to each individual were superb. A real winner for me.”
“The course offered relevant information about working with and leading volunteers. Good insight into your own (leadership and other) qualities, and there was plenty of room for case discussion and exchange. I learned a lot – from the course, the trainer, the other participants, and once again a great deal about myself.”
“The trainer's professionalism in particular appealed to me. She was very flexible in how she presented the material. A good alternation of exercises and theory.”
“Very interesting course in which theory and practice were combined well. Plenty of opportunity to practise, room for discussion and for asking questions. Great trainer, great venue and an excellent lunch!”
“Interesting, with a great many practical tips for use in your work, which you then practise straight away through role plays and case studies. I got a lot out of it.”
"Informative course that is easy to apply in practice. The interaction shows you whether you have really mastered the material."
“The first acquaintance with Learnit Training leaves you wanting more! I look back on a valuable course.”
“It is an introduction to coaching. On that basis you can go on to practise this skill further or look for more in-depth knowledge of coaching leadership.”
"I had taken management courses before, but I was very pleased with the approach of this course, which focused on working with volunteers. It was an eye-opener."
"This course was a useful addition for me. The telephone contact with the trainer beforehand was pleasant and my learning objectives were covered in full."
"Very useful to learn what an employee/colleague needs from me in order to be well supported."
“Well tailored to my own situation thanks to the small group; general models gave good insight into my own strengths and points for improvement. The level was good. I am very satisfied with the course. Much of it was already (partly) familiar to me, but even so it was excellent to think it through in the light of the current situation and to take a moment to reflect on it.”
"Very useful to learn what an employee/colleague needs from me in order to be well supported."
“For the Managing Volunteers course we spent a day with Mieke from Learnit. In one day Mieke took us through various practical tools for managing volunteers. I learned a great deal from the course and enough practical situations were covered for me to grow further in managing volunteers.”
"Good variety and content. An eye-opener and immediately applicable in my own practice."
“Interesting course with a good balance between theory and practice.”
“Enjoyable course and a good, clear explanation.”
"What you learn during this course can be applied well in practice."
"What you learn during this course can be applied well in practice."
“I found the course very positive: a knowledgeable trainer, room for your own input and a good opportunity to practise the conversation techniques covered.”
“Instructive, worthwhile, inspiring and a committed and empathetic trainer.”
"Informative course that is easy to apply in practice. The interaction shows you whether you have really mastered the material."
"Enjoyable and highly instructive training course. The material was applied flexibly in just the right way, making a clear connection to practice. The trainer's enthusiastic attitude and a good balance between exercises and theory made the course very effective."
"Enjoyable and instructive course that gives you a picture of the basic skills of a new manager. The trainer is flexible and creates the right atmosphere in which you can easily practise new things without feeling 'assessed'. All in all a very useful experience and a good addition to my existing knowledge and experience."
"An enjoyable course with plenty of practical tools for managers, for both small and large teams!"
"An enjoyable course with plenty of practical tools for managers, for both small and large teams!"
“This course makes you aware of how important communication is, but also of the role you play in it yourself and of the fact that you have a behavioural choice to change a situation. You also learn to look more closely at why some situations do not work and how you could adjust this.”
“This course makes you aware of the do's and don'ts of working with volunteers, and the pitfalls involved. You gain far more insight into the motives and underlying emotions of volunteers and learn to communicate more openly, more respectfully and much more effectively. There were genuinely a number of eye-openers! What you learn can be applied straight away and produces immediate results. Highly recommended!”
“Interesting course with a good balance between theory and practice.”
“The course offered relevant information about working with and leading volunteers. Good insight into your own (leadership and other) qualities, and there was plenty of room for case discussion and exchange. I learned a lot – from the course, the trainer, the other participants, and once again a great deal about myself.”
“A well-executed tailor-made course. All the topics we wanted to cover were covered. Very pleasant that a course goes ahead even with small numbers!”
“Very instructive course, especially useful if you do not hold a management position but still lead a lot indirectly. Very applicable and useful tools for communicating with others/subordinates.”
“A course that gives you insight into your own behaviour and that of others, and provides tools for dealing with it.”
“After the course I felt satisfied and good about it. I was given sound tools that I can apply in practice straight away.”
"Good course, delivered in a very enjoyable way."
“I found the course very positive: a knowledgeable trainer, room for your own input and a good opportunity to practise the conversation techniques covered.”
"I had taken management courses before, but I was very pleased with the approach of this course, which focused on working with volunteers. It was an eye-opener."
“The course was very instructive and provided a lot of insight! It teaches you to look differently at the way you lead and communicate with volunteers! Definitely applicable in practice!”
"An excellent training course that helps you achieve your goals with the help of volunteers. You can adjust your own behaviour and communication to have a more direct influence on your volunteers."
“An extremely instructive and enjoyable course! You can apply what you have learned in your work straight away.”
“Enjoyable course and a good, clear explanation.”
"'An enjoyable and instructive course that gives you a great deal of insight into your own qualities, while also offering tips for dealing with your weaknesses.'"
"The course met my requirements and I learned a great deal from it. A good learning process."
“Excellent course with an inspiring trainer. The trainer responds well to needs and situations. Quite impressive to fit in and get out so much in two days. I now have a clear picture of coaching leadership and how it can help me.”
“Good course, certainly worthwhile.”
“Very interesting course in which theory and practice were combined well. Plenty of opportunity to practise, room for discussion and for asking questions. Great trainer, great venue and an excellent lunch!”
“A surprising course. Learned a lot about conversation techniques.”
"Good course with plenty of room for case studies. Very experienced trainer who reads the group well."
Training formats
Classroom
2 days€ 1300,-- Pleasant venue with a good trainer
- Small groups
- Inspiring and motivating
In-company
Bespoke trainingOn request- 100% for your group
- Bespoke training
- At your place or ours
Workshop
Up to 4 hours for groupsOn request- Suitable for events
- Interactive and inspiring
- Large groups too
Private training
At our place or yoursOn request- 100% just for you
- Achieve a lot in little time
- Whenever you want
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel free of charge?
Yes. Up to four weeks before the first day of the course you can cancel free of charge, without giving a reason. You then receive a credit note or, if you have already paid, a refund. If you cancel later, you pay part of the course fee: 25% between four and two weeks before the start, 75% in the two weeks before it and 100% in the final week. Moving to another start date is free of charge up to two weeks before the start, after that 50%. Sending a colleague in your place is always possible. Read the cancellation terms.
How many days does the Leadership Basics course last?
Who is the Leadership Basics course suitable for?
Which topics are covered in the Leadership Basics course?
Is prior knowledge required for the Leadership Basics course?
What is the teaching method of the Leadership Basics course?
Can I extend the Leadership Basics course with advanced days?
How does this course differ from an online course or a book about leadership?
How do I know whether Leadership Basics is enough, or whether I should go straight for Leadership Extended?
What do I get from this classroom course that I cannot get from a management book or podcast?
What is the difference between this course and an individual coaching programme for managers?
Does this course also work if I manage former colleagues and still have to find my position?
What do I do if my team shows resistance to my new role as a manager?
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Confirmed to run: Thu 12 & Thu 26 November 2026 in Utrecht
This date already has enough participants. Free cancellation up to four weeks before the start, so you can secure a place now.