Google People Management Skills Specialization

Ever wondered what makes a great people manager? In Google People Management Essentials, you’ll learn the skills required to become a confident, effective manager. Designed by The Google School for Leaders, this program distills decades of Google’s management research into actionable insights on how to build high-performing teams. Through hands-on activities and advice from over a dozen managers at Google, you'll learn to set clear goals, develop coaching skills, drive business results, and leverage AI as a management tool. Whether you're an aspiring leader or already managing a team, you’ll leave this course with the practical skills to drive results and build a team where people can thrive 

NOTE: 1 Scholarship per person via NSITE is for 1 year. After the year expires, you will be required to pay Coursera the $49.99 per month to complete the course. 

Course time commitment:  4 Months | Self-Paced 

Optional 15-minute monthly check-in 

What you'll learn 

• Foundations of Great People Management: Understand the core behaviors and mindsets that define effective leadership, based on decades of Google’s management research.  
• Goal‑Setting for High Performance: Learn how to set clear, actionable goals that align your team and drive meaningful results.  
• Coaching & Feedback Skills: Develop practical coaching techniques to support growth, improve performance, and empower your team.  
• Driving Business Impact: Explore strategies for making informed decisions, prioritizing work, and delivering consistent outcomes.  
• Using AI as a Management Tool: Discover how to leverage AI to streamline tasks, enhance communication, and support your team more effectively.  
• Building Thriving Teams: Gain the skills to create an inclusive, supportive environment where people feel motivated, valued, and able to do their best work. 

Coursework: 4-course series 

Month 1 

• Create a High-Performing Team 
• Examine the mindset shifts that contribute to being a successful manager.  
• Describe common pitfalls new managers encounter when transitioning from an individual contributor role.  
• Apply strategies to foster open communication and a culture of learning. 
• Understand how managing up and across the organization benefits your team's success. 

Month 2 

• Set and Achieve Team Goals 
• Develop clear and motivating team goals using frameworks like SMART.  
• Use AI tools to develop and refine goals.  
• Identify methods for communicating goals and expectations effectively. Explore different approaches for allocating work to team members based on their strengths, interests, and development needs.  
• Recognize how to provide the necessary time, tools, and resources to enable your team to achieve its goals 

Month 3 

• Grow as a Manager 
• Utilize reflection and feedback to build greater self-awareness as a leader.  
• Apply time management strategies to maximize your personal productivity and prioritize key tasks.  
• Discover AI strategies to save time and boost impact.  
• Identify methods for building a professional network to support your growth.  
• Develop a plan for investing in your own ongoing development as a manager. 

Month 4 

• Support Individual Growth and Development 
• Identify effective coaching techniques to support your team members' career growth. Apply the Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) model to deliver clear and constructive feedback.  
• Describe strategies for preparing for and conducting effective performance reviews. Identify methods for navigating difficult conversations with team members.  
• Explore ways to ask for and receive upward feedback to improve your own performance.