Top 10 'Accidental-Manager' Online Courses to learn from for Surviving Your First 90 Days of Leadership - Goh Ling Yong
So, it happened. One minute you were the go-to expert on your team, crushing deadlines and delivering stellar work. The next, you’re in a meeting with your boss, they're saying words like “leadership potential,” and suddenly you’re handed a new title: Manager.
Congratulations! And also... welcome to the club of the "Accidental Manager." You're not alone. Most of us are promoted because we excelled at our craft, not because we spent years studying management theory. The skills that made you a rockstar individual contributor—deep focus, technical mastery, and solo execution—are often the very opposite of what you need to succeed as a leader. Now, it's all about communication, delegation, and coaching.
The first 90 days can feel like you're trying to build a plane while it's already in the air. The pressure is on to prove yourself, support your new team (who were your peers just last week!), and somehow keep all the plates spinning. It's a period of intense learning and potential overwhelm. But here's the good news: you don't have to figure it all out by trial and error. The digital age has gifted us with a wealth of knowledge, and you can build your leadership foundation one online course at a time.
To help you navigate this whirlwind transition, we've curated a list of the top 10 online courses specifically designed to help accidental managers like you not just survive, but thrive in your first 90 days and beyond.
1. Coursera: First Step into Management
Why it's essential: This is your foundational boot camp. Before you dive into niche skills, you need a solid understanding of what the role of a manager actually is. This specialization from the University of California, Irvine, is perfect because it methodically breaks down the transition from 'doer' to 'manager of doers'. It’s the 101 course you wish your company had given you on day one.
The course covers the core responsibilities of management: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. More importantly, it helps you reframe your mindset. You'll learn that your success is no longer measured by your personal output, but by the collective output of your team. It addresses the common pitfalls new managers fall into, such as micromanaging or, conversely, being too hands-off because you're afraid of being 'bossy' with your former peers.
A practical tip from this course: Start conducting regular one-on-one meetings immediately. Don't wait. In your first one-on-one with each team member, make the agenda about them. Ask questions like, "What do you enjoy most about your work?", "What are your biggest frustrations?", and "How do you prefer to receive feedback?". This builds trust and gives you invaluable insight into your team's dynamics right from the start.
2. LinkedIn Learning: Communicating with Confidence
Why it's essential: As a manager, you are now the primary conduit of information for your team. Clarity is kindness, and ambiguity is a productivity killer. This course, taught by professional speaker Jeff Ansell, is a masterclass in presenting your ideas with authority and clarity, whether you're addressing your team, your boss, or a stakeholder in another department.
It goes beyond just public speaking. You'll learn how to structure your thoughts, avoid wishy-washy language, and handle difficult questions without getting flustered. For an accidental manager, this is crucial for establishing credibility. When you communicate with confidence, your team feels more secure and is more likely to trust your direction, even when you're still figuring things out yourself.
A practical tip from this course: Use the "What? So What? Now What?" framework for your communications. Start with the What (the core message or update). Follow with the So What (why it matters to your audience). Finish with the Now What (the next steps or call to action). This simple structure ensures your message is clear, relevant, and actionable every time.
3. Udemy: The Manager's Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People
Why it's essential: If you're looking for less theory and more "what do I do on Tuesday when two team members are disagreeing?", this is the course for you. This highly-rated Udemy course is packed with practical, real-world scenarios and templates you can use immediately. It feels less like a lecture and more like getting advice from a seasoned mentor.
The curriculum covers the day-to-day blocking and tackling of management: how to run an effective team meeting (hint: it needs a clear purpose and agenda), how to delegate tasks without feeling guilty, and how to set clear expectations and goals. As we often discuss on the Goh Ling Yong blog, practical application is what separates learning from true development. This course gives you the tools to apply new skills right away.
A practical tip from this course: When delegating a task, use the "5 W's" checklist. Clearly define the What (the task and desired outcome), the Why (the purpose and how it fits into the bigger picture), the Who (who is responsible), the When (the deadline), and the Where (where to find resources or submit the work). This eliminates confusion and empowers your team member to succeed.
4. VitalSmarts: Crucial Conversations Online Course
Why it's essential: Your first 90 days will inevitably involve a high-stakes conversation. It could be addressing underperformance, navigating a team conflict, or pushing back on an unrealistic deadline from your own boss. This course teaches you a proven framework for handling these conversations so that you can speak your mind honestly and respectfully without damaging relationships.
"Crucial Conversations" helps you understand how to create a safe environment for dialogue, even when the topic is sensitive. You'll learn how to manage your own emotions and how to spot the signs that a conversation is turning unproductive. For new managers, mastering this skill early on is a game-changer. It gives you the confidence to tackle problems head-on instead of letting them fester.
A practical tip from this course: When you need to provide difficult feedback, start with the facts. Avoid judgmental language or assumptions about intent. For example, instead of saying, "You're always late with your reports," say, "I noticed the last three reports were submitted after the deadline." This focuses the conversation on the observable behavior, not the person's character, which reduces defensiveness.
5. Radical Candor: The Official Online Course
Why it's essential: Based on Kim Scott's bestselling book, this course provides a simple but powerful framework for giving feedback: "Care Personally and Challenge Directly." Many accidental managers struggle with feedback because they are afraid of hurting feelings, especially with former peers. They often fall into "Ruinous Empathy"—caring so much they fail to challenge, which ultimately hurts the team member's growth.
This course teaches you how to deliver guidance that is both kind and clear, specific, and sincere. It gives you actionable techniques to solicit feedback on your own performance (a critical step for a new leader) and to encourage a culture where constructive criticism is seen as a gift, not an attack.
A practical tip from this course: To make feedback less intimidating, make it a frequent, informal habit. Don't save it all for performance reviews. Use the "2-minute impromptu feedback" model. When you see something great, say it right then. If you see something that needs correcting, find a private moment that day to address it. This makes feedback a normal part of the workflow.
6. LinkedIn Learning: Coaching and Developing Employees
Why it's essential: Your job has shifted from being the star player to being the coach who develops a whole team of star players. This course helps you make that critical mindset shift. It teaches you how to stop providing all the answers and start asking powerful questions that help your team members solve their own problems.
You'll learn different coaching models, such as the popular GROW model (Goal, Reality, Options, Will), and how to adapt your style to each individual. This is a core leadership skill that separates mediocre managers from great ones. A manager tells people what to do; a coach helps them unlock their own potential. Investing in this skill early will pay massive dividends in team engagement and performance.
A practical tip from this course: The next time a team member comes to you with a problem, resist the urge to immediately give them the solution. Instead, ask a coaching question like, "What have you already tried?" or "What do you see as the possible options here?". This empowers them and develops their problem-solving skills.
7. Coursera: The Science of Well-Being
Why it's essential: This might seem like an odd choice, but it's one of the most important on the list. The transition to management can be incredibly stressful. You're dealing with new pressures, longer hours, and the emotional weight of being responsible for others' careers. This famous course from Yale University provides science-backed strategies to improve your own happiness and build mental resilience.
You can't pour from an empty cup. To be an effective, empathetic, and patient leader, you must first take care of your own well-being. This course gives you practical tools to manage stress, avoid burnout, and build healthier habits. A calm and resilient manager creates a calm and resilient team.
A practical tip from this course: Practice "savoring." Once a day, take a few minutes to consciously focus on a positive experience—a project that went well, a nice comment from a colleague, or even just the taste of your morning coffee. This simple act of mindfulness can rewire your brain to focus more on the positive, boosting your overall well-being.
8. Udemy: Time Management for Managers
Why it's essential: As an individual contributor, you managed your own time. As a manager, you have to manage your time, protect your team's time, and align everyone's work with broader goals. Your calendar will suddenly be filled with meetings, interruptions, and administrative tasks. This course provides strategies specifically for leaders who need to juggle their own work with the demands of their team.
You'll learn how to prioritize ruthlessly using frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix (Urgent/Important), how to run meetings that don't waste everyone's time, and how to create systems for handling the constant flow of information. Mastering your own productivity is the first step to helping your team improve theirs.
A practical tip from this course: Schedule "maker time" for yourself and "manager time" for your team. Block out a few hours on your calendar each week for deep, focused work (maker time). Then, schedule your one-on-ones, team meetings, and open-door hours during your manager time. This ensures you can still get your own tasks done while remaining accessible to your team.
9. edX: Becoming a Successful Leader
Why it's essential: This course from MIT focuses on the "why" behind leadership. It's less about tactical skills and more about developing your personal leadership philosophy. It prompts you to reflect on your values, your strengths, and the kind of leader you want to be. For someone who became a manager by "accident," this intentional reflection is incredibly valuable.
The course introduces the "4-CAPS" leadership framework: Sensemaking (understanding the context), Relating (building relationships), Visioning (creating a compelling future), and Inventing (executing the vision). It helps you move beyond just managing tasks to truly leading and inspiring people. As Goh Ling Yong has emphasized, authentic leadership stems from a deep understanding of yourself and your purpose.
A practical tip from this course: Take 30 minutes to write your own "leadership philosophy." What are your non-negotiable values? How will you make decisions? How do you want your team to feel when they come to work? Having this personal compass will guide you when you face tough choices.
10. LinkedIn Learning: Setting Team and Employee Goals
Why it's essential: Your team needs a clear direction. Without it, even the most talented group of people will spin their wheels. This course provides a practical guide to setting goals that are both ambitious and achievable. It covers popular frameworks like SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) and OKRs (Objectives and Key Results).
Learning how to translate high-level company objectives into meaningful, motivating goals for your team is one of the most impactful things you can do as a new manager. This course shows you how to involve your team in the goal-setting process, which dramatically increases buy-in and ownership.
A practical tip from this course: When setting a new goal for the team, don't just announce it. Host a brainstorming session and ask, "To achieve this outcome, what are the key results we would need to see?" This collaborative approach not only generates better ideas but also makes the team feel like they are co-creating their own success.
Your Leadership Journey Starts Now
Stepping into a management role, especially as an "accidental" one, is a daunting challenge. The imposter syndrome is real, and the learning curve is steep. But it's also an incredible opportunity for growth. Your company promoted you because they saw your potential, and now it's time for you to see it in yourself.
Don't try to learn everything at once. Pick one or two courses from this list that address your most immediate pain point. Is it communication? Start there. Delegation? Tackle that one first. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and your journey as a leader begins with the commitment to learn. You've got this.
Now, I'd love to hear from you. Which of these skills do you feel is the most critical for a new manager to learn? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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