Manager Training
Giving new managers a stronger start. I designed an onboarding experience to help first-time leaders navigate their new roles, understand Apple's expectations, and connect with their peers.
Details have been adapted for confidentiality.
Pathway to People Management
Being a great individual contributor doesn't automatically teach you how to manage people.
That was the starting point for this manager onboarding program I designed for Apple Cloud Services.
New managers came from two places: they were promoted because they were great at what they did, or they joined from outside as experienced leaders. Either way, suddenly managing people requires a whole new set of skills.
So I designed Manager Essentials around three things new managers need most: people to learn from, people to learn with, and practical tools they can actually use.
Three Ways to Learn
Connect with peers. Small group forums gave new managers a place to compare notes, swap stories, and talk through the messy stuff that comes with managing people.
Learn from experienced leaders. Senior Apple leaders shared their own career journeys, leadership lessons, and the things they wish they'd known earlier.
Build practical skills. A Manager Portal brought together resources for the everyday work of management, from feedback and performance conversations to career development.
Beyond the First Day
The program wasn't designed to end when the training did. Managers could stay connected through peer check-ins and a dedicated Slack channel, creating an ongoing network they could lean on as they grew into their roles.
The first cohort also became part of the program's evolution, providing feedback that would shape future versions.
Note
This manager training program is here to give you a sense of how I think and approach my work. I appreciate you respecting the time and thought behind it by not copying, sharing, or reusing it without my written permission.