What career opportunities can arise from learning about managing people?

"Learning how to manage people will prepare you for a position as a manager. Managers are needed in every industry, and people in these positions tend to fit into one of three categories. Top-level management includes positions such as president, chief operating officer, chief executive officer, and board of directors. In one of these positions, you'll make decisions that affect the direction of the organization. For example, top-level managers establish long-term goals and objectives for the company. Middle-level managers usually oversee operations of specific departments or regional facilities. For instance, a district manager of a grocery store chain is a mid-level manager. In this position, you'll take actions that help the organization meet the goals set by top-level leadership. You'll also report your department's successes and shortcomings with higher managers. Lower-level management includes positions such as supervisor and shift manager. These are team leaders who offer daily guidance and assignments to workers. These managers also have a hand in the hiring process and address team conflicts and employee grievances."

What kind of people are best suited for roles in managing people?

Managing others requires traits such as confidence, empathy, patience, firmness, and decisiveness. A manager's mood will often set the tone for other workers, so you'll need an optimistic yet practical personality to maintain worker morale. An aptitude for organizing people and delegating tasks is essential. When challenges arise, you'll need to be flexible and decisive enough to make adjustments and guide the team through new procedures. When projects fail, you'll need to be willing to take responsibility. Effective managers are also honest and inspiring and serve as role models.

How can online courses help me learn about managing people?

Online courses in management will help you develop practical skills such as conducting interviews, addressing conflict, analyzing worker performance, and setting priorities. You'll also learn a variety of ways to motivate and influence others. Some courses will focus on remote work and the challenges that come with managing teams from a distance. Most of these lessons come in the form of online video lectures and reading assignments.

Best Managing People Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Managing People Course Catalog

Status: Preview
University of London
The Manager's Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work
Skills you'll gain: People Management, Conflict Management, Smart Goals, Employee Performance Management, Performance Management, People Development, Performance Appraisal, Leadership, Decision Making, Team Motivation, Compensation Management, Behavioral Economics, Recruitment, Interviewing Skills
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Leading People and Teams
Skills you'll gain: Talent Management, Team Motivation, Team Building, Teamwork, Team Management, Talent Pipelining, Influencing, Team Leadership, People Development, Motivational Skills, Employee Onboarding, Employee Coaching, Conflict Management, Talent Recruitment, Performance Review, Employee Engagement, Interviewing Skills, Persuasive Communication, Leadership, Business Leadership
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
11K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Google
Grow as a Manager
Skills you'll gain: Leadership and Management, Initiative and Leadership, Lifelong Learning, Leadership, Growth Mindedness, Relationship Building, Technology Strategies
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Google
Set and Achieve Team Goals
Skills you'll gain: Team Leadership, Motivational Skills, Organizational Effectiveness, Productivity, Employee Engagement, Overcoming Obstacles
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Google
Google People Management Essentials
Skills you'll gain: People Management, Team Leadership, Team Management, Employee Coaching, Performance Management, Team Building, Constructive Feedback, People Development, Goal Setting, Organizational Leadership, Teamwork, Motivational Skills, Delegation Skills, Professional Development, Leadership, Leadership and Management, Initiative and Leadership, Relationship Building, Relationship Management, Communication
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
Johns Hopkins University
Principles of Management
Skills you'll gain: Business Ethics, Leadership and Management, Organizational Strategy, Project Management, Leadership Studies, Influencing, Team Management, Conflict Management, Employee Coaching, Strategic Thinking, Team Building, Decision Making, Coaching, Relationship Building, Communication, Business Communication, Active Listening
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
574 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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Explore topics outside of work

Status: Preview
Starweaver
Management Skills for New Managers
Skills you'll gain: Team Motivation, Delegation Skills, Performance Management, Employee Performance Management, Management Training And Development, Emotional Intelligence, People Management, Team Building, Cultural Sensitivity, Leadership Development, Leadership, Communication Strategies, Collaboration, Cross-Functional Collaboration
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
101 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
IESE Business School
Organizational Behavior: How to Manage People
Skills you'll gain: Leadership Development, Intercultural Competence, Conflict Management, Leadership, Industrial and Organizational Psychology
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Coursera Instructor Network
Fundamentals of Management: Leading Teams to Success
Skills you'll gain: Team Building, Team Leadership, Leadership and Management, Rapport Building, Employee Onboarding, Leadership, Recognizing Others, Team Motivation, Performance Analysis, Employee Performance Management, Meeting Facilitation, Constructive Feedback, Safety Culture, Productivity, Coaching, Workplace inclusivity, Empathy, Goal Setting, Planning, Communication
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Managing as a Coach
Skills you'll gain: Coaching, Employee Coaching, People Management, Leadership and Management, Leadership Development, People Development, Leadership, Mentorship, Critical Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Decision Making, Self-Awareness, Active Listening, Adaptability, Communication
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Influencing People
Skills you'll gain: Influencing, Persuasive Communication, Leadership, Professional Networking, Initiative and Leadership, Relationship Building, Public Speaking, Decision Making, Negotiation, People Development, Social Skills, Organizational Structure
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
GitLab
How to Manage a Remote Team
Skills you'll gain: Telecommuting, Virtual Teams, Team Management, Human Resources Management and Planning, Culture Transformation, Performance Metric, Leadership and Management, Organizational Change, Organizational Strategy, Business Transformation, Organizational Leadership, Team Building, Performance Management, Adaptability, Collaboration, Business Strategy, Communication
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months