Leadership Training for Your Senior Team: What SME Owner-Operators Should Expect from a Business Coach

As a business coach working with owner-operators across trades, construction and manufacturing, I see a consistent pattern. Owners want their senior team to step up. They want their operations, service, and project managers to take greater ownership, lead their teams more effectively, and deliver results without constant oversight. They’re not looking for motivational posters or personality profiling. They want practical leadership training for managers that improves execution and reduces people problems.

If you’re an owner with employees on payroll, you’ve probably already invested in tools, systems and processes. But if your managers aren’t using those tools properly, or if they’re still relying on you to solve problems, the business hits a ceiling. That’s where leadership development for managers becomes essential.

Why Leadership Development for Managers Is a Strategic Investment

Most managers in trade and construction businesses are promoted from within. They’re good on the tools, reliable with clients, and know how the business runs. But being a good technician doesn’t automatically make someone a good leader. Without structured leadership coaching for senior leaders, they often struggle with delegation, accountability and communication.

I’ve coached operations managers who were drowning in admin because they didn’t know how to set boundaries. I’ve worked with service managers who avoided hard conversations with underperforming staff. I’ve helped project managers who were technically strong but couldn’t manage subcontractors without escalating everything to the owner. These aren’t personality flaws. There are capability gaps. And they’re fixable with the right coaching.

Leadership development for supervisors is not about turning your team into corporate executives. It’s about giving them the tools to lead effectively in a small business environment. That means knowing how to prioritise, manage people, and make decisions that protect margin and delivery.

What Leadership Coaching for Senior Leaders Looks Like in Practice

When we coach managers at Tenfold, we start with the business context. We assess the owner’s needs from their senior team and identify gaps. Then we build capability through targeted coaching sessions. These sessions are practical, commercial and focused on outcomes.

For instance, if your operations manager is struggling to manage workflow, we’ll provide coaching on time blocking, effective delegation, and maintaining system discipline to improve efficiency. If your service manager is becoming overwhelmed by client disputes, we’ll train them in scope control, clear communication protocols, and appropriate escalation pathways to resolve issues swiftly. When your project manager misses deadlines or exceeds budgets, our focus will be on detailed planning, effective subcontractor management, and thorough A vs. E reviews to ensure project success.

This is management and leadership training tailored to your business. It’s not off-the-shelf content. It’s built around your team, your clients and your commercial goals.

The Impact of Upskilling Managers on Business Performance

When managers receive proper coaching, the results become clearly measurable. You’ll notice fewer issues arriving on your desk, which means smoother operations. Additionally, team performance improves noticeably, demonstrating more cohesion and effectiveness. With better guidance, you’ll see tighter control over jobs, enhanced communication with clients, and stronger profit margins. Overall, effective coaching leads to a more efficient and profitable management process.

One of our clients in the HVAC sector had a service manager who was technically excellent but reactive. After six months of coaching, the manager was running weekly team meetings, proactively managing client expectations, and resolving issues without involving the owner. The business saw a 20% reduction in rework and a noticeable lift in team morale.

Another client in fabrication had a production manager who was great at solving problems but terrible at preventing them. Through leadership development for managers, we coached him to implement structured planning and daily huddles. Within three months, the business consistently met delivery targets, and the owner was able to step back from day-to-day operations.

These outcomes are typical when managers are coached with a clear framework and commercial focus.

Developing Leaders in Small Business Requires Owner Commitment

Leadership development for supervisors doesn’t happen in isolation; it requires a dedicated owner who is truly committed to the process. This commitment involves providing managers with time for coaching, supporting and endorsing their decisions, and holding them accountable for applying what they learn in real-world situations. When these elements are in place, it creates an environment conducive to growth and effective leadership.

I often tell owners that coaching is not a magic wand that instantly transforms performance. Instead, it’s a structured, ongoing process designed to build capability and confidence over time. You’ll need to support your managers as they go through the learning curve, providing guidance and encouragement along the way. It’s also important to let go of some tasks and trust your managers to step up and handle their responsibilities. Furthermore, you must be clear and consistent about what good leadership looks like within your specific business context, so everyone understands the standards and expectations.

When owners are actively engaged and maintain consistent involvement, coaching efforts tend to deliver strong, tangible returns. As a result, your managers grow more confident, become more capable in their roles, and align more closely with your company’s goals. This leads to fewer personnel issues and ensures more reliable and effective execution across your organisation.

What to Expect from Management and Leadership Training

If you’re considering coaching for your team, here’s what you should keep in mind to ensure it’s effective and beneficial.

Clear, Business-Aligned Planning

When considering coaching for your senior team, it’s essential to start with a well-defined plan that aligns with your specific business needs. This foundational step not only provides clarity and direction but also helps ensure that all coaching efforts are targeted, effective, and contribute meaningfully to your organisation’s overarching goals.

Practical and Real-World Coaching Sessions

Next, the coaching sessions should be practical and immersive, carefully designed to build tangible skills and capabilities that your team can apply directly in their daily work. This hands-on approach will foster not only immediate improvements but also long-term growth, ultimately leading to measurable, sustained progress.

Accountability and Progress Tracking

Ongoing accountability and consistent progress tracking are crucial to maintaining momentum throughout the process. Regular check-ins not only help ensure the team stays on course but also enable timely adjustments. This continuous oversight helps to keep the coaching aligned with your evolving goals and ensures sustained success.

Measurable Improvements in Performance

Finally, the success of the coaching should be clearly demonstrated by tangible, measurable performance improvements, which not only showcase the value of the investment but also foster ongoing development and growth.

At Tenfold, we don’t do vague leadership theory. We coach managers to lead in the context of trade, construction and manufacturing businesses. That means dealing with subcontractors, managing site teams, meeting client expectations, and protecting margins.

We also provide coaching to owners on how to effectively support their managers, recognising that strong leadership at the managerial level is crucial. Since leadership development for managers is most successful when the entire organisation is aligned and working towards common goals, we emphasise creating a cohesive environment where everyone is motivated and engaged.

How Coaching Builds Independence and Reduces Owner Reliance

One of the most significant advantages of leadership coaching for senior leaders is the reduced dependence on the owner. When managers are confident and capable, they no longer need to send work back for approval. Instead, they take responsibility for making decisions, solving problems, and leading their teams effectively.

This shift in accountability allows leaders to dedicate more time to growth initiatives, strategic planning, and building strong client relationships. It also enhances the business’s scalability and overall value.

I have observed owners transition from working 60 hours a week to taking regular holidays, simply because their managers stepped up and assumed more responsibilities. Similarly, I’ve seen businesses double in size because their leadership teams were equipped to manage increased complexity.

Developing leaders in small business is about more than just improving meetings or creating a nicer company culture. It’s fundamentally about building a business that can operate efficiently without you being at the centre of every decision.

When to Invest in Leadership Development for Managers

If you’ve got managers who are good people but not yet strong leaders, now is the time to invest. Don’t wait until you’re burnt out or the team is falling apart. Coaching works best when you’re proactive.

Look at where the bottlenecks are. Are you still the one solving every problem? Are jobs slipping because your managers aren’t planning properly? Are you getting dragged into staff issues that should be handled by someone else?

If the answer is yes, then leadership training for managers is the next step.

Next Steps for Owner-Operators

If you’re ready to upskill your managers and build a stronger leadership team, let’s talk. At Tenfold, we specialise in management and leadership coaching for trade, construction and manufacturing businesses. We know what works and how to deliver results.

You can learn more about our approach to leadership coaching for your managers here: management and leadership coaching.

And if you want to understand how coaching fits into your broader business goals, explore our full business coaching services.

Let’s build a team that leads with confidence and delivers with consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is leadership training for managers critical in trade and construction businesses?

Most managers are promoted from technical roles without undergoing formal training. Coaching plays a crucial role in filling this gap and enhancing their ability to execute effectively.

When is the right time to invest in leadership development for supervisors?

When your managers are good people but have not yet developed into strong leaders, it is important to invest in their growth early on. The sooner you invest in their development, the better the results you are likely to achieve.

What does leadership coaching for senior leaders cost?

It’s a structured investment that is tailored to your business size and specific goals. The benefits you can expect include improvements in profit margins, time management, and team performance.

Do I need systems in place before starting management and leadership training?

While basic systems can be helpful, coaching typically involves not only implementing these systems but also improving workflows and accountability structures as integral parts of the process. This comprehensive approach ensures better overall performance and sustained success.

How does Tenfold support developing leaders in small business?

We offer tailored coaching, comprehensive progress tracking, and owner alignment strategies to ensure that your managers develop effectively and that your business continues to benefit and grow over time.