The Essentials of Management
A practical course for aspiring and new managers in the European Commission
Build the leadership, people, and operational skills you need to manage teams effectively within the EU institutional context — from performance management and ethics to budget oversight and stakeholder engagement. Practice-based: scenarios, writing studios, and a personal workbook. Build judgment through decision scenarios, writing studios, and a personal management workbook — not just reading.
What you will practice
Each module pairs concepts with a managerial act: decide, draft, map, or commit. Your artefacts accumulate in a personal workbook you can export.
Who is this for?
Aspiring managers, newly appointed team leaders, project officers stepping into coordination roles, and experienced staff preparing for management responsibilities in the European Commission and related EU bodies.
Course modules
View all →Introduction & the EU Institutional Context
Understand how management works in the European Commission — structures, roles, and the regulatory framework that shapes every managerial decision.
Transitioning to Management
Make the shift from expert contributor to people leader — mindset, time allocation, and common pitfalls for new managers.
Leadership & Managerial Competencies
Develop leadership styles suited to the Commission context and align with the EU competency framework for managers.
People Management Essentials
Recruit, onboard, develop, and retain staff within the Staff Regulations framework.
Performance Management & Appraisal
Master the Performance Assessment and Development (PAD) cycle and continuous feedback practices.
Managerial Communication
Communicate clearly upward, downward, and laterally — in meetings, writing, and multilingual environments.