The Manager's Cohort

Our Manager's Cohort is a cohort-based program that builds confident, effective leaders through interactive, real-world learning.

Managers strengthen their mindset, communication, and leadership presence while practicing skills they can apply immediately. The experience combines growth, connection, and action, so leaders don’t just learn in training, they learn in community with each which helps them lead differently in their organizations.

Why a cohort for Managers?

Managers are expected to lead, align teams, and deliver results—often without being given the tools to do so. This program supports managers in navigating the real challenges of people leadership while strengthening their confidence and effectiveness.

They are often navigating:

Unclear expectations and shifting priorities
The pressure of managing both up and down
Difficult conversations and team dynamics
Keeping teams engaged while driving performance
Making decisions with limited information
Building trust and credibility as a leader

This program addresses their unique challenges, while building the skills needed to lead effectively.

Program Details

Through a blend of interactive learning and real-world application, managers actively practice how to lead people, navigate challenges, and make decisions aligned with organizational priorities. Core topics, such as communication, performance management, accountability, and leadership presence, are tailored to reinforce and operationalize your defined competencies, helping managers clearly understand what “good leadership” looks like in your context.

A strong emphasis is placed on outcomes, assessment, and measurement. Participants begin by assessing themselves against key leadership competencies and setting targeted development goals. Progress is tracked through pre- and post-program assessments, manager feedback, and applied practice. Ongoing pulse checks and reflections ensure that learning is not only understood, but consistently applied on the job.

The cohort model creates space for peer learning, shared experiences, and cross-team connection—critical in large organizations where managers may operate in silos. Structured discussions, skill practice, and feedback loops reinforce learning while building a culture of accountability and continuous growth.

By the end of the program, managers will (program outcomes):

Demonstrate growth in targeted leadership competencies aligned to organizational expectations
Apply consistent, competency-based communication and feedback practices
Effectively manage performance and hold team members accountable to clear standards
Navigate challenges and difficult conversations with increased confidence and skill
Understand how to translate organizational competencies into daily leadership behaviors that drive results

Manager Leadership Labs is not a one-size-fits-all training—it is a customized leadership development experience that aligns to your organization’s competency model, strengthens leadership capability, and supports measurable, sustained impact.

We use our signature G.E.M. Framwork

Our training labs, individual & group coaching sessions are rooted in the core idea that every leader has a unique leadership gem within them. While gems are formed under pressure, we don’t believe leaders need more pressure to grow, we create the space for them to discover, refine, and lead with the strengths they already carry.

Our sessions are guided around our framework which equips managers with the self-awareness, skills, and mindset needed to lead effectively in today’s workplace.

G.rowth

We facilitate activities that help managers recognize their strengths & values, whilst supporting them in recognizing growth opportunities & aligning their goals to their roles.

E.mpowerment

We create a safe and brave environment, so managers can apply the real work by practicing real-world leadership skills: give / receive feedback, coaching as a leader & strengthening their voice to lead.

M.indshift

We guide managers to shift from reactionary to intentional leadership in how they respond and navigate challenges. By using tools & frameworks, we create space for reflection & recognizing new perspectives.

Each Program Includes:

Training Labs
Group Training

Interactive, facilitator-led sessions focused on building core leadership competencies. Managers engage in real-time discussions, skill-building activities, and scenario-based learning that directly connects to their day-to-day role.

We incorporate strengths based leadership, offering strengths assessments & analysis.

Coaching
(1:1 or Group)

Structured coaching sessions provide space for deeper reflection, personalized feedback, and targeted development. Managers can explore real challenges, strengthen self-awareness, and receive guidance on applying the tools.

These coaching sessions are conducted in-between training labs. Group coaching is an opportunity for the group to coach each other around challenges / questions in the field.

360° or Stakeholder Feedback

This component provides managers with real, structured insight into how they are experienced by others—including direct reports, peers, and/or supervisors. Rather than relying only on self-perception, managers gain a clearer, more objective understanding of their leadership impact.

Peer to Peer
Engagement

Peer-to-peer engagement is a core element of the program, designed to foster connection, shared learning, and accountability. Through structured discussions, small group breakouts, and optional accountability partnerships, participants learn from each other.

This cohort-based approach helps break down silos, normalize common leadership challenges, and create a supportive network .

Reflections & Individual Practice

Managers are encouraged to connect their learning to their day-to-day work—identifying specific actions, experimenting with new approaches, and reflecting on outcomes. This ongoing reflection ensures that development is not just theoretical, but grounded in real behavior change. It also supports alignment between personal leadership style, team needs, and broader organizational goals.

Capstone Project

The program culminates in a capstone experience where managers reflect on their growth and demonstrate how they’ve applied their learning in real time. Depending on the organization, managers can share their journey, including what they worked on, what shifted within their team. It also provides leadership with visibility into the program’s impact and creates a shared sense of progress across the cohort.

Our Curriculum

The curriculum is grounded in the core competencies managers need most, communication, emotional intelligence, performance management, decision-making, and team leadership, and is structured to move from self-awareness to real-world application.

Each module builds on the next, giving managers the opportunity to learn, practice, and apply new skills directly within their teams.

Module 1: Leadership Presence & Authentic Leadership

Managers explore what it means to show up as a leader with confidence, clarity, and authenticity. This module focuses on building self-awareness, reflecting on their own stressors, understanding leadership presence, and aligning personal values with leadership behaviors. Participants develop the foundation for how they communicate, make decisions, and lead others in a way that is both intentional and impactful.

Module 2: Communicate with Clarity & Influence

Managers learn how to clearly convey expectations, adapt communication styles, and influence across teams. Emphasis is placed on connecting team priorities to broader organizational goals and ensuring alignment through effective communication. Includes a communications assessment.

Module 3: Lead Others, Build & Develop High-Performing Teams

This module focuses on strengthening people leadership skills. Managers learn how to build trust, motivate their teams, and support individual growth through coaching, empathy, feedback, and intentional development.

Module 4: Balancing Strategy & Execution

Managers develop the tools to set clear goals, manage performance, and hold team members (or colleagues) accountable. They also strengthen their ability to analyze situations and make informed, timely decisions that drive results. Includes Strengths Based Assessment.

Module 5: Navigate Conflict & Difficult Conversations

Managers gain practical strategies to address conflict, manage team dynamics, and lead difficult conversations with confidence. This module focuses on maintaining trust while addressing challenges directly and constructively.

Module 6: Integration & Application (Capstone Experience)

The program culminates in a capstone experience where managers apply their learning to a real leadership challenge. Participants reflect on their growth, implement changes within their teams, and share outcomes—reinforcing accountability and measurable impact.

*Throughout the program, we embed mindfulness based stressed reduction tools rooted in leadership to help managers navigate through "manager burnout". These tools help with day to day resilience, responding vs reacting & leading with emotional intelligence.

"Grounded in the competencies that define effective leadership, our curriculum equips new and emerging managers with the clarity, capability, and confidence to lead well."

About the Instructor / Coach

Priya Sodha, M.S. Organizational Change Management

Priya is a skilled leadership development professional, with over 17 years of experience working with professionals from entry level up to C-Suite executives. She specializes in transformational leadership & collaborative trainings for high performing leaders. She is fun, she is energetic, and most of all she is authentic in her approach.

With a Masters in Organizational Training from The New School, in NYC, certified Management Training Professionals, and a previous nonprofit Executive Director, she has designed and led impactful management training programs across the country. Her approach combines strategic insight with practical tools to foster growth and resilience.

Not only is she a master facilitator, she also holds her Coaching Certification & is a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction in the Workplace facilitator. She has led 100+ participant coach trainings through BetterUp, facilitated leadership trainings executives & new / emerging leaders & approaches all her sessions with a coaching mindset.

Pre & Post Assessments: Participants complete surveys and self-evaluations to measure growth in confidence, skills, and leadership effectiveness

Manager & 360 Feedback: We incorporate manager insights and, where available, 360 feedback or internal tools to understand shifts in leadership behaviors

Behavior & Mindset Change: We track how participants are applying new skills, including changes in communication, decision-making, and team engagement

Skill Application in Practice: Follow-up reflections and check-ins capture how learning is being used in real, day-to-day leadership situations

Capstone Measurement: The final capstone experience serves as a key indicator of success, highlighting each participant’s ability to apply learning to real challenges and drive measurable outcomes

Recognition & Certification: All participants receive a certificate of completion, recognizing their commitment to growth and development

Program Evaluation & Measurement

At Innergem, we measure impact beyond the session, focusing on how learning shows up in real leadership moments. Our evaluation approach is designed to capture growth, application, and meaningful outcomes at every stage of the program.

How We Partner with Organizations

The Manager Training Lab is designed to be highly customizable, allowing us to align the experience to your organization’s unique needs, priorities, and leadership expectations, while staying grounded in our proven core components: cohort-based learning, interactive training labs, coaching, peer engagement, and real-world application.

Customization includes:

Alignment to Leadership Competencies
We design and map the curriculum directly to your organization’s leadership competencies, ensuring managers are building the exact skills and behaviors expected in their role.

Integration of Organizational & Team Values
Content, language, and scenarios are tailored to reflect your organization’s culture, values, and real-world challenges—making the learning immediately applicable.

Cohort Size & Structure
Our core model is designed for 10–12 participants to maximize engagement and connection. For larger groups, we customize the structure through multiple cohorts, staggered waves, or full participant learning labs aligned with small group coaching.

Flexible Training Lab Design
Training labs can be adapted for smaller, high-touch cohorts or scaled to larger groups using breakout sessions and interactive formats, without losing engagement.

Coaching Approach (1:1 or Group-Based)
Coaching can be tailored to include individual sessions, group coaching, or a hybrid approach depending on your goals, capacity, and desired level of support.

Additional Touchpoints & Reinforcement
We can incorporate extra elements such as manager alignment sessions, office hours, accountability groups, or follow-up sessions to reinforce learning and sustain impact.

Capstone Co-Creation
The final capstone experience is co-designed with your team to reflect organizational priorities, ensuring managers are working on real, meaningful challenges that drive measurable outcomes.

Learn About our Client Work

Duration

Program can be delivered over 3-6 months

(bi-weekly/monthly labs)

Multi-day formats are welcome with program customization.

Format

In-person, virtual or hybrid options available.

Who is it for?

Middle Managers

People Managers

Individual Contributors

New & Emerging Leaders

Let's Get Started

Let's Connect
with our Team

We start with a conversation to understand your goals, your people, and the challenges you’re navigating. This helps us align on what success looks like and how this program can best support your team.

Schedule a Discovery Call

Let's Customize
Your Program Together

Based on your needs, we design a tailored program experience, selecting the right topics, format, and structure to meet your organization where it is. We provide you with a delivery plan & proposal to meet your budgetary needs.

We Do the Work
Prepare, Deliver & Sustain

We set your team up for success before the program begins. This may include pre-surveys, assessments, pre-work & agenda customization. We deliver the interactive training to your intended goals. Learning doesn’t stop at the session. We offer optional follow-up support

"I want to thank you for the incredible experience you created in the Manager's Training Cohort program. Even though it was out of my comfort zone, I enjoined it and learned a lot. You created a safe space for us to share experience and learn from each other. I also appreciate the follow‑up resources and your continued support."

A Cohort Participant

City of Norwalk, Supervisor

The Manager's Cohort

Why a cohort for Managers?

Program Details

We use our signature G.E.M. Framwork

Each Program Includes:

Training Labs Group Training

Coaching (1:1 or Group)

360° or Stakeholder Feedback

Peer to Peer Engagement

Reflections & Individual Practice

Capstone Project

Our Curriculum

Module 1: Leadership Presence & Authentic Leadership​

Module 2: Communicate with Clarity & Influence​

Module 3: Lead Others, Build & Develop High-Performing Teams​

Module 4: Balancing Strategy & Execution ​

Module 5: Navigate Conflict & Difficult Conversations​

Module 6: Integration & Application (Capstone Experience)​