Location: Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Gdansk, Poznan

Format: In-person or onlinein-person/online

Gain confidence as a leader: inspire, motivate, and manage

A development program for entry-level managers. It provides a solid foundation of knowledge—from team management, through communication and feedback, to delegating tasks.

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Money-Back Guarantee After the First Session

4,87/5

participant evaluation

22.

program edition

5

session · 10-day workshop

30+ years

ICAN trains leaders

They've placed their trust in us:

Problem

Newly Appointed Managers Doomed to Failure?

A promotion to manager is a great honor and a recognition of your existing skills. But without the right qualifications and training, it’s easy to make mistakes that block the path to further growth.

According to a study conducted by CEB (now Gartner), 60% of newly appointed managers fail to meet their companies’ expectations and lose their jobs within the first two years. Many of them get bogged down in day-to-day tasks and experience professional burnout. Not because they’re incompetent, but because no one has shown them how to stop being a specialist and start being a leader.

Only a few managers are prepared for their role

even though their impact on the organization's performance is constantly growing

0%

Team engagement depends on the manager

Source: Gallup 2025

0%

Employees in Poland are committed to their work

Source: Gallup 2025

0%

Leaders believe that employees are not adequately prepared for their new roles

Source: Deloitte 2025

0%

Companies state that a transformation of the manager's role is necessary

Source: Deloitte 2025

Solution

Discover ICAN First–Time Manager™

The program develops key competencies for entry-level managers: self-management and team management, communication, motivation, and the role and responsibilities of a leader. Participants work on real-world managerial scenarios and put new methods into practice.

40000+

trained managers

5

two-day sessions

30

years of experience at ICAN

Learn about the program

The Value of the Program

We solve the three main challenges faced by new managers— with measurable results

For each challenge, you'll see what percentage of graduates improved that specific area within their organization. The numbers speak for themselves— 92.6% of participants improved their work organization.

1

Lack of necessary management skills

The best specialist gets promoted—but is unprepared for the new role. The result: poor decision-making, a chaotic division of tasks, and neglected personal responsibilities.

What the program teachesBasic management tools—how to set team goals, delegate tasks, and effectively plan the team’s work.

Impact on graduates

Achievement of Set Goals0%

Accuracy of Decisions Made0%

2

Difficulties in interpersonal relations

Suddenly, the manager is the boss of his former colleagues and reports to a new supervisor. This new position in the company hierarchy gives rise to conflicts.

What the program teachesHow to build authority based on competence and how to have difficult conversations about performance and accountability.

Impact on graduates

Team Communication0%

Engagement of the subordinate team0%

3

Professional burnout

A shift in mindset is necessary: from individually influencing results to achieving goals as a team. Without this, the manager ends up taking on the entire team’s workload.

What the program teachesHow to manage your energy and emotions and recognize the early signs of burnout.

Impact on graduates

Motivation and Engagement0%

Process and Project Management0%

Methodology and tools

How We Work: 80% Practice, 20% Theory

Participants practice using real-life scenarios, discover their management style, and receive support long after the final session. Three elements that, together, bring about real change:

Workshop

You learn from real-life management situations—not from lectures.

Case studies (including Goldstone, jam session)
Simulations and group and pair work
Ready-to-use worksheets and tools for immediate implementation

+

Diagnostics

Get to know yourself as a manager before you start making changes to your team.

EMA™ – 10 Managerial Roles in 4 Areas
PCS™ – Your Dominant Communication Style
Report discussed individually with the coach

+

Knowledge Portal

Support that stays with you for a whole year after the program ends.

ICAN Personal Learning Cloud™
50+ online training courses with a certificate
Resources from MIT Sloan Management Review Poland

Synergy effect

Workshop Based on Real-Life Situations+assessment of your style+a year-round portal = confidence in your new role

Diagnostics

A program tailored to each participant's individual needs

In the program, we use diagnostic tools that allow us to accurately determine each participant’s work style and level of competence.

ICAN Effective Manager Assessment™

The assessment shows how a manager fulfills 10 roles across four organizational domains: “People Orientation,” “Commitment to Innovation,” “Goal Orientation,” and “Commitment to Effectiveness,” as well as in the personal domain of “Self-Management.” The competency model allows you to assess a manager’s effectiveness and compare their profile with the organization’s cultural profile.

ICAN Personal Communication Style™

The questionnaire identifies a manager’s dominant interpersonal communication style and profile. Participants learn about four basic communication patterns, their advantages and potential risks, and receive specific recommendations on how to better tailor their communication style to team members and supervisors.

Sample ICAN EMA™ and PCS™ Diagnostic Reports

Diagnostic test

Is your manager prepared for the role?

16 statements across the four areas of the 4P model. Find out if your manager has a realistic chance of achieving results through others—and what specifically closes each gap.

16 statements · 4 areas · about 3 minutes · results with interpretation right away

ICAN First-Time Manager™ Diagnostic Test

For whom

Who will benefit most from the program?

ICAN First-Time Manager™ is designed for people who are managing a team for the first time and want to get their managerial career off to a good start.

Managers with limited experience in leadership roles

They want to fill their competency gaps as quickly as possible, before they start affecting the team’s performance. They need a structured understanding of people management, specific tools for their day-to-day work, and support in building their authority.

Professionals being prepared for promotion to manager

They want to be prepared for their new role, rather than caught off guard by how different it is from their work as a specialist. They need to understand what the transition from expert to leader entails and acquire basic management tools before they begin taking responsibility for a team.

Managers who want to assess their skills

People who have not yet had the opportunity to formally assess their approach to management. They want to determine whether their leadership style and intuitively developed habits are truly effective. They need an objective assessment of their competencies and feedback from experts.

Entrepreneurs who are expanding their businesses and growing their teams

These are business owners who are transitioning from being sole proprietors to managing a growing team. They want to scale their business without losing control over its quality, which requires learning how to delegate tasks and set team goals.

This program is NOT for your company if:

You're looking for a one-time burst of inspiration, not a change in habits
You expect ready-made solutions without having to implement any changes
Managers don't have time to work on their own projects between sessions
Your team leaders already have many years of experience

This program IS for your company if:

Do you want to reduce turnover among new managers?
Do you want to establish a common management language within the company?
You're looking for lasting change, not just a momentary burst of inspiration
You want to avoid the costs resulting from mistakes made by young managers

Every manager needs support when they're just starting out—don't leave them to figure it out on their own.

Reserve a seat

Money-Back Guarantee After the First Session

Learn more

Everything you need to know —in one brochure

Download the ICAN First-Time Manager™ program brochure for free and learn more.

A detailed overview of each session.
An Analysis of Myths and Mistakes Made by Young Managers.
Approaches to Managerial Development and Their Effectiveness.
Program price and schedule.

Download the brochure

ICAN First-Time Manager™ 2026 Brochure

Comparison of Approaches

Why ICAN First–Time Manager™?

Companies are trying various approaches to preparing new managers—most of them fail. Find out why a comprehensive program works better than “figuring it out on your own” or ad-hoc training.

One decision, many possible futures

	"Figure it out yourself"		On-demand training
For whom	Without a system—by trial and error	A Comprehensive Program for Beginning Managers	A short, general training session with no follow-up
Approach	Learning to “fight,” often at the expense of the team	Workshop-based exercises based on real-life managerial situations	“One size fits all” – no customization
Diagnostics	Lack of self-assessment and conscious professional development on the part of the manager	EMA™ and PCS™ Assessments – Do You Know Your Style and Your Gaps?	No individual diagnosis
Tools	Learning by trial and error—costly for the company	Questionnaires, step-by-step instructions, exercises	Slides without implementation tools
Support after	Lack of support after completion	ICAN Personal Learning Cloud™ and the Reconnect session	End of training = end of support
Effect	The Risk of Mistakes and Burnout in a New Role	Confidence as a leader and better team performance	An effect that is often fleeting, without implementation

The best specialist isn't necessarily a natural-born leader

No one is born a manager. ICAN First-Time Manager™ helps you gain confidence in your new role and avoid common mistakes on the job—starting from day one.

Get your manager ready now

Don't leave a manager's development to chance. Give them the support and tools they need.

Reserve a seat Money-Back Guarantee After the First Session

What you'll get

Specific benefits for the manager and his or her company

See what participants, teams, and the entire company stand to gain by taking part in the program. A manager’s professional development will lead to better collaboration, sound decisions, and a tangible impact on the company’s results.

Benefits for the participant

A successful debut as a manager—a good start to his career
The trust of the team and the recognition of one's supervisor and other managers
Ready-to-use management tools and methods that can be implemented immediately
The ability to organize a team’s work, establish rules and goals, and ensure effective communication
Less stress associated with the change in role and a lower risk of errors

Benefits for the company

Avoiding losses resulting from managerial errors or failed hiring decisions.
Eliminating the risk of a manager's failure and the loss of a high-potential employee.
Greater team effectiveness and more efficient implementation of the company's strategy.
Reducing the time it takes for a new manager to get up to speed and learn the ropes—lower costs.
Reducing the replication of poor management practices within the organization—a higher standard of work.

Register participation

Money-Back Guarantee After the First Session

Program

5 two-day sessions, 10 days of in-person or online workshops

The program consists of 5 two-day training sessions held once a month (10 days in total). This schedule supports the gradual development of competencies and allows participants to apply their skills on an ongoing basis. Two formats are available: in-person and online.

The ICAN First-Time Manager™ Program — two sessions

What You'll Learn

What Does the Transition from Specialist to Manager Entail?—The Organizational, Functional, and Psychological Dimensions
A Competency Model for the Modern Manager and Building Your Own Development Path
The Leadership Style Matrix – How to Align Your Leadership Style with Your Team’s Maturity Level
Building Authority After a Promotion: From Colleague to Supervisor
The Manager in the Digital World – How to Use AI in a Managerial Role

Tools

Self-assessment of strengths and competency gaps—areas for further work and development
Jack's Case – Mistakes in a New Role
Self-diagnosis of leadership style
Case Study – Goldstone
Self-Assessment of a Manager's Level of Authority

Results for the participant

Understanding the main challenges associated with the role of a manager in today's business environment
Learning about key competencies and discovering your own areas for growth
Knowing How to Use AI as a Manager

Prework and Implementation Assignment"Knowledge Bite" from the sessionDigital learning, consultations, and sharing experiences

What You'll Learn

A Team vs. a Group of Employees—Differences and Implications for Managers
Types of teams in a company, including a new type: X-type teams
Team Recruitment – The Role of HR vs. the Role of the Line Manager
Setting Team and Individual Goals: KPIs, MBOs, or OKRs?
Team Dysfunctions and Conflict Management in Teamwork

Tools

"Jam Session" Case Study
Diagnosis of team roles
Self-Assessment – Evaluating Readiness to Delegate Responsibility
"Delegation Interview," "Performance Review," and "Job Description" forms
ZPC Worksheet

Results for the participant

Understanding What Determines the Success of Effective Teams
Learning effective methods for setting goals and measuring progress
Ability to develop KPIs related to digitization
Effective Task Delegation and Conflict Resolution Within a Team

Prework and Implementation Assignment"Knowledge Bite" from the sessionDigital learning, consultations, and sharing experiences

What You'll Learn

Communication as a Specialist and as a Manager—How Do They Differ?
Vertical and horizontal communication: with superiors, subordinates, and peers
Developing Your Own Communication Style—From Assessment to Development Plan
Feedback: Giving and Receiving Feedback
Communication and Conflict Management – Difficult Conversations in Business

Tools

ICAN Personal Communication Style (PCS™) – Communication Style Assessment
The 3-step model of effective communication: verbal, nonverbal, and message
Self-Assessment of Influence Style
"Organizational Relationship Map" Form
Case Study – Conflict Among Key Employees

Results for the participant

Understanding What Effective Managerial Communication Is All About
Personal Development Plan for Communication and Relationship Building
The ability to use ChatGPT to draft correspondence and other forms of communication

Prework and Implementation Assignment"Knowledge Bite" from the sessionDigital learning, consultations, and sharing experiences

What You'll Learn

What Motivates and Demotivates People—and How This Affects Engagement
Internal and External Motivation – David McClelland’s Theory of Motivation
Coaching vs. Managerial Mentoring – How They Differ and When to Use Them
Creating a Motivating Work Environment – Safety and Inclusivity
AI as a Tool for Building Employee Engagement

Tools

The TGROW Model – Goal, Reality, Options, Will
Self-diagnosis: "How do I motivate my employees?"
The “Planning a Developmental Conversation” Worksheet and the GROW Worksheet

Results for the participant

Understanding the sources of motivation and demotivation and their relationship to managerial behavior
Understanding the Manager's Role as a Coach Who Boosts Team Engagement
The ability to prepare a manager's exposé and conduct development discussions

Prework and Implementation Assignment"Knowledge Bite" from the sessionDigital learning, consultations, and sharing experiences

What You'll Learn

What Hinders a Manager's Development and Effectiveness—How to Identify the Issues
Assertiveness vs. a Manager’s Consideration—How to Develop It
Time Management vs. Energy Management – The Pareto Model and the Multitasking Trap
Balancing Work and Personal Life
Managers in the Digital World – How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Digital Addictions

Tools

Jim Collins' Hedgehog Principle – Focusing on What Matters Most
Self-Diagnosis of Overuse Symptoms
A Model of Emotional Intelligence

Results for the participant

Understanding the Relationships Between Self-Awareness, Emotions, Productivity, and Stress
Learning specific methods for self-management and building mental resilience
Better management of career and personal life challenges while maintaining well-being

Prework and Implementation Assignment"Knowledge Bite" from the sessionDigital learning, consultations, and sharing experiences

ICAN Personal Learning Cloud™

One-year access to over 50 online training courses with certificates, resources from MIT Sloan Management Review Polska, and the myICAN assistant. An additional kick-off session and a Reconnect session for graduates. In-person sessions: Wednesday–Thursday or Friday–Saturday.

Reserve a seat

Money-Back Guarantee After the First Session

Leading

The instructors are practitioners. Experts from the ICAN Institute.

Experienced practitioners, coaches, and consultants who lead workshop sessions based on real-life managerial situations.

Jacek Gwóźdź

Jacek Gwóźdź

Leadership and Management Strategy Expert · Lecturer at the ICAN Institute

He is leading Session 1 – The Role of a Manager. He has over twenty years of experience in managing organizations and supporting business growth. He was responsible for launching production facilities in Poland and Serbia. He is the recipient of the World Class Manufacturing bronze medal and the “Top Automotive Supplier” award.

Dominika Krysinska

Dominika Krysinska

Expert in human capital, leadership development, and team development

She is leading Session 2 – Working with a Team. She specializes in aligning corporate strategy with human capital strategy and in implementing a culture of feedback. She has completed over three hundred development projects. She has worked in the energy, pharmaceutical, banking, automotive, FMCG, and IT industries, among others.

Magdalena Kieferling

Magdalena Kieferling

Neurocommunication and Neuronegotiation Coach

She is leading Session 3 – Communication and Relationships. An expert in neurocommunication, neuronegotiation, and change management. She has coordinated strategies for over 100 campaigns at the European level. She has served as an advisor to the Minister of Health. Winner of the 2014 Silver Drum Award; author of over 400 publications.

Anna Connor-Łakomy

Anna Connor-Łakomy

Consultant, Trainer and Researcher specializing in neuroscience

She is leading Session 4 – Motivation and Engagement. A consultant and researcher specializing in neuroscience and brain-based work methods. One of the few certified Neurocolor consultants in Europe. A certified Scrum Master and Assessor.

Joanna Burdek

Joanna Burdek

Brand Strategist and Neurocommunication Expert

She is leading Session 5 – Self-Management. An expert in marketing, brand strategy, and neurocommunication with 17 years of experience. She has worked for brands such as Continental, Nutella, Wawel Castle, and Multikino. She is the co-author of Poland’s first book on “Neurocopywriting.”

Report

Your quick tip before the training session

Key data and findings in one place. In this report, you’ll learn:

What is the 4P model, and why does the risk of failure multiply rather than add up?
Which of the 13 managerial roles are mutually exclusive?
Why did manager engagement drop from 31% to 22%?
When Does AI Do More Harm Than Good for a Manager?

Download

ICAN First-Time Manager™ 2026 Report

Reviews

Graduates are already achieving success

More than 40,000 managers from various industries across Poland have been trained. See what ICAN First-Time Manager™ graduates have to say about the program.

Video Review of the ICAN First-Time Manager™ Program

Video Review of the ICAN First-Time Manager™ Program

At the beginning of my managerial career, I was drowning in day-to-day tasks. Trying to keep up with them took up 100% of my time, often forcing me to work overtime. I didn’t have a moment to think more strategically. This hindered both the growth of my organization and my own career development. Recommendations from fellow managers encouraged me to participate in the First-Time Manager™ program. I was looking for high-quality training… and those expectations were met! The program quickly helped me address shortcomings in my day-to-day management practices by highlighting best practices.

Konrad Plochocki

General Manager

ICAN Institute's training courses have been valued in our company for many years because of the individualized approach to participant development and the strong emphasis on practical knowledge. Participation in the First-Time Manager™ program gave me a new perspective on how a manager's work should look like, how I should communicate with my subordinates and build good relations in the team, and what I can do better to get the desired results. The huge dose of knowledge ready for immediate implementation, the extraordinary atmosphere of the classes and the trainers, whom I will probably remember for the rest of my life, have already made me think about attending more trainings.

Katarzyna Bielawa

Head of Training Department

I highly recommend the ICAN First-Time Manager™ program to anyone who will soon be taking on a team leadership role. And to those who were immediately thrown in at the deep end and are already grappling with the responsibilities of a leader—this program is a valuable “lifeline” for them! The ICAN First-Time Manager™ program provides participants with invaluable insight into themselves: their competencies, aptitudes, and personalities… By participating in it, I not only learned practical methods for leading a team, but I also discovered how I can leverage my individual traits to become a better manager.

Alicja Kaczmarek

Head of Commercial Department

The First-Time Manager™ program is ideally suited to the needs of managers who want to improve their management skills, but do not have excess free time. Classes are conducted in the form of practical workshops that develop key managerial skills, including the ability to manage a team, build relationships, resolve conflicts and manage stress. The knowledge is conveyed in a concise, concrete, but interesting way, allowing you to immediately apply the solutions in practice. This is time well invested!

Karolina Samczyńska-Fiślak

Associate Director, Head of Marketing and Business Development

A promotion to a managerial position means taking on a great deal of responsibility. The First-Time Manager™ program allowed me to effectively take on this challenge and better understand the role a manager should play. I am currently managing an ever-growing team. I recommend this program to anyone taking their first steps in a managerial role. The knowledge and tools provided to participants by experienced professionals perfectly prepare them for a leadership role.

Wojciech Tulwin

E-commerce Director

4,87/5

average rating of the program

40000+

trained managers

30 years

ICAN Institute's experience

Join them

Money-Back Guarantee After the First Session

Testimonial from an ICAN program participant

Community of graduates

A prestigious certification that confirms readiness for the role

40,000+ trained managers

Graduate 1

Graduate 2

Graduate 3

Graduate 4

Graduate 5

Graduate 6

Graduate 7

Medicover

Salesforce

Raben

Provident

Żywiec

KIR

CIMA

Aplitt

Euroterm

PGF

Imperial Tobacco

and much more

ICAN First-Time Manager™ Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Each participant receives a certificate of completion for the ICAN First-Time Manager™ program

80% of graduates post their certificate on their profile

Dr. Witold Jankowski

Signed by Dr. Witold Jankowski

Dr. Witold Jankowski

CEO of ICAN Institute

We offer this guarantee because, after 30 years and 40,000 graduates, we know that no one wants to give up.

Benefit Guarantee

We take full responsibility for your results. 100% satisfaction guarantee.

We are completely confident in the effectiveness of our tools. That is why we assume all the financial risk—you can test the program before making your final decision.

1

Try it risk-free

Take part in the first session (2 days of classes) and see if the program is right for you.

2

See how we work in practice

If you decide that this knowledge will not lead to an increase in your company’s efficiency, you may withdraw without giving a reason.

3

You get 100% of your investment back

We'll refund your entire payment. No hidden catches or complicated procedures.

We’re the only ones in Poland to offer you this guarantee. You’ll make your final decision only after you’ve seen the program from the inside.

Since you have nothing to lose—what's stopping you?

Space is limited

Reserve a seat

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.

Do you have any other questions? Our expert will answer all your questions before you decide to participate in the program.

Reserve a spot

Money-Back Guarantee After the First Session

What are the requirements for completing the training?

To pass the training, participants must attend at least 80% of the sessions and pass the final exam after all sessions have been completed.

If you are unable to attend class for important reasons, you can make it up with another group. All you need to do is notify us of your absence in advance.

What does the exam at the end of the training look like?

The exam is administered online on the myICAN platform. You can take it from home or anywhere else using your own device. You have 6 months from the date of the last exam session to complete the exam, so you can take it at a time that’s convenient for you.

The test itself consists of closed-ended, single-choice questions. To pass, you must get 80% of the answers correct.

What are the sessions like? What do you need to do in the meantime?

The sessions are workshop-based—we focus on practical application. We limit the theory to the most important management concepts, which form the foundation for effective management. Participants can take advantage of individual assessments, work in groups on specific case studies, receive ongoing feedback from trainers, and learn about tools for implementing the concepts discussed.

Between sessions, participants complete what is known as “prework”—introductory assignments related to the session’s topic that they complete on their own. This ensures that the entire group starts with the same level of knowledge and can focus on practical work and exercises during the session with the expert.

How long does a session last?

For in-person training, each session consists of 2 days of classes (held once a month). Classes last 6.5 hours, including coffee and lunch breaks. The first day of classes runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the second day from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The online formula consists of 10 workshops held over a period of 6 months. Each workshop lasts 6 hours.

Are additional learning materials provided during the training?

Yes, you will have access to the knowledge portal for the duration of the training and for 12 months after it ends.

The portal contains not only training materials but also additional content and activities, including certified ICAN Business Advisor® online training courses and content from our business magazines. Here you’ll find many examples of tools, methods, and ready-to-use templates (such as for a difficult conversation with an employee or a manager’s credo) that you can apply at work immediately after the training.

What is the difference between classroom-based and online training?

Both versions of the training program cover the same subject matter, consisting of 5 thematic blocks divided into 20 modules. The quality of instruction and level of interactivity are equally high (assessments, group work, sharing of experiences, online platform).

The only difference is the format of the classes. In-person classes are held once a month (one two-day session), while the online classes are spread out over 10 workshops over the course of 6 months.

This is due to the different nature of virtual teaching compared to "live" classroom teaching. More frequent but shorter meetings are intended to prevent fatigue caused by spending too much time in front of the computer and a decrease in concentration.

When do I pay for a VAT invoice?

You can pay the VAT invoice immediately after registering for the training or on the day of the training.

Is it possible to pay in installments, and how does this affect the price?

It is possible to pay for the training in installments (in which case the cost of the training increases by 5%). The cost does not include accommodation and travel expenses for participants.

Is there a discount for early payment or registering more participants?

We encourage you to contact our development advisor at 22 11 33 444, who will present you with a special offer.