Your Frontline Leaders Were Never Trained To Lead?
Frontline leadership training can give managers the expertise to coach teams, reduce attrition, and improve performance. All without disrupting daily operations.
Most frontline leaders are promoted without frontline leadership training. They perform well in individual roles, so they are rewarded with a step up. But it doesn’t mean they are ready to lead teams. And once they step into that leadership role? Many are left to figure it out on their own.
The frontline leadership training gap manifests in all the ways you'd expect: inconsistent coaching, unclear expectations, and stalled team performance. As a result, frontline managers without training become operational challenges.
Frontline leaders run the systems, supervise the workflows, and influence how thousands of employees show up for customers. Getting frontline leadership training right doesn’t have to be disruptive. But ignoring it will be.
The Current State Of Frontline Leadership Is Unsustainable
Here's what's happening across many organizations:
- Most managers are unprepared. Believe it or not, less than half of managers globally have been formally trained.
- Managers lack energy for people leadership. 40% percent of managers are burnt out and in reactive mode.
- Associates are unclear about their jobs. Only 47% of employees can confidently state their objectives.
- Professional development is stalled. Just 45% of U.S. employees participated in professional development or training programs last year.
- Time is the biggest barrier to growth. 89% of CHROs cite time away from daily work as the top obstacle to development.
Frontline leaders can’t be expected to drive performance and retention without the tools or support to lead effectively. There is a better approach.
Common Gaps In Frontline Leadership Skills
Too often, frontline leaders step into their roles without the foundational preparation provided by frontline leadership training. This shows up in ways that directly affect operations:
- Unclear expectations: Managers struggle to communicate priorities or hold teams accountable
- Ineffective feedback: Performance issues go unaddressed, or feedback comes too late to make a difference
- Avoided or escalated conflict: Tension lingers or escalates unnecessarily because managers lack tools for resolution
- Constant firefighting: Without time management strategies, managers operate in a reactive mode
- Low engagement: Teams feel disconnected or overlooked, leading to poor morale and higher attrition
Many frontline leaders also lack basic project management knowledge to run operations efficiently and consistently.
How To Prepare Frontline Managers To Lead Operations Teams At Scale
The day-to-day demands of frontline operations require more than team supervision. Frontline leaders must think about systems, drive accountability across shifting priorities, and coordinate effectively with stakeholders across functions and geographies.
To meet those expectations, frontline leadership training should develop both foundational leadership capabilities and operational management acumen, including:
- Leading effective communication
- Building engagement and accountability
- Prioritizing work under pressure
- Managing difficult conversations with clarity
- Practicing feedback and listening techniques
- Leading small initiatives with structure and consistency
Equally critical, the training must accomplish all of this without pulling frontline leaders away from their day-to-day responsibilities.
Frontline Leadership Training Doesn’t Have To Disrupt Operations
Professional development doesn't have to interfere with daily operations. Pathstream programs are designed for frontline leaders and associates working in high-volume environments:
- Flexible Access: Everything happens outside of work hours with no fixed class times
- Real-World Projects: Tools and concepts can be applied to real-life scenarios
- College Credit: Certificate programs are offered through top-tier universities, with college credit building toward an undergraduate business degree
- No Contracts: Everything is covered by your existing tuition assistance benefit
- Loved By Non-Exempt Teams: Programs are voluntary, but you can expect at least 50% of your associates to participate
Request your live Pathstream walkthrough today, and learn about the 3 types of associates most likely to engage with our programs.
