Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Small Team Leadership Course

This course gives you the essential tools and strategies to inspire, motivate and guide a small team towards its goals. You will learn to communicate effectively, delegate intelligently and resolve conflict constructively, building a positive, collaborative working environment that brings out the best in each person and in the team as a whole.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
Program diagnosis

Prior knowledge check

These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.

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About the program

What is the Small Team Leadership Course?

This course focuses on the specific challenges of leading small teams, where closeness, direct communication and mutual dependence change the way a leader works. You will study the differences between directing, coordinating, supervising, supporting and motivating; the leader's role in organizing work, making decisions and keeping the group together; directive, participative, delegating, coaching, situational and results-oriented styles; clear communication of goals and expectations, short meetings and day-to-day coordination; how to delegate according to skills and workload and follow up without micromanaging; and how to sustain motivation, spot early signs of disengagement and manage conflict and difficult profiles.

What sets this course apart: a practical focus on the realities of small teams, from crews and operational areas to start-ups and temporary projects; techniques grounded in psychology and team management that you can apply from the first week; attention to the most common mistakes, such as micromanagement, favouritism or lack of follow-up; practical cases and simulations of real situations; and an applied project in which you diagnose a team and design its leadership, delegation and climate improvement plan.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Leadership styles: directive, participative, delegating, coaching and situational.
  • Day-to-day communication: clear goals, short meetings, feedback and difficult conversations.
  • Smart delegation: sharing out roles, setting autonomy and following up without micromanaging.
  • Motivation and climate: recognition, purpose, belonging and early signs of burnout.
  • Conflict management: mediation, direct conversations and handling difficult profiles.
  • Applied project: a leadership plan for a real small team.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Small Team Leadership Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Foundations of leadership, the manager's role and the dynamics of small teams

  • 1.1. The concept of leadership and the differences between directing, coordinating, supervising, supporting and motivating
  • 1.2. Characteristics of small teams: closeness, direct communication, flexibility, trust and mutual dependence
  • 1.3. The leader's role in organizing work, making decisions, solving problems and keeping the group together
  • 1.4. Leadership styles: directive, participative, delegating, coaching, situational and results-oriented
  • 1.5. Common mistakes: micromanagement, lack of clarity, favouritism, weak communication and lack of follow-up
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Effective communication, trust and day-to-day team coordination

  • 2.1. Clear communication of goals, priorities, tasks, expectations and success criteria
  • 2.2. Active listening, useful questions, constructive feedback and difficult conversations in small teams
  • 2.3. Short meetings, operational follow-up, informal coordination and management of shared information
  • 2.4. Building trust through consistency, transparency, respect and keeping commitments
  • 2.5. Preventing misunderstandings, rumours, unproductive silences and conflict caused by poor communication
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Delegation, work organization and management of responsibilities

  • 3.1. Foundations of delegation and the differences between assigning tasks, transferring responsibility and abandoning follow-up
  • 3.2. Allocating roles according to skills, workload, experience, motivation and team needs
  • 3.3. Setting priorities, deadlines, quality standards and expected levels of autonomy
  • 3.4. Following up without excessive control through simple indicators, regular reviews and progress agreements
  • 3.5. Handling mistakes, learning, correction and support without undermining or demotivating
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Motivation, working climate and conflict management in small teams

  • 4.1. Motivation factors: recognition, purpose, development, participation, fairness and a sense of belonging
  • 4.2. Early identification of disengagement, burnout, tension, low involvement and problems living or working together
  • 4.3. Managing interpersonal conflict through mediation, direct conversation, agreements and follow-up
  • 4.4. Handling difficult profiles, resistance to change, low responsibility or excessive need for the spotlight
  • 4.5. Creating a climate of respect, collaboration, trust and a focus on solutions
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Applied project in small team leadership

  • 5.1. Defining the case: work team, crew, start-up, operational area, temporary project or collaborative group
  • 5.2. Diagnosing the team: roles, communication, motivation, conflict, strengths and opportunities for improvement
  • 5.3. Designing the leadership plan with objectives, management style, communication routines and follow-up criteria
  • 5.4. Preparing the delegation model, distribution of responsibilities, priorities and support mechanisms
  • 5.5. A plan to improve climate, conflict management, motivation, productivity and continuous learning
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Small Team Leadership Course

It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
6
months to finish
25 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Small Team Leadership Course

01Build a climate of trust and open communication by setting clear, respectful communication protocols and promoting active listening and constructive feedback among all team members.
02Delegate effectively to bring out individual and collective potential, assigning clear responsibilities, defining expectations and giving the autonomy each person needs to grow.
03Resolve conflict constructively to keep the team productive and united, using honest feedback, active listening and mediation to reach collaborative solutions.
04Inspire and motivate team members towards shared goals by encouraging collaboration and mutual recognition and celebrating the team's achievements.
05Facilitate collaborative decision-making with consensus methods such as Delphi or weighted voting and simple visual tools to prioritize options against agreed criteria.
06Guide the team towards its objectives while adapting to change, combining effective communication, agile decision-making and proactive risk management.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Small Team Leadership Course

01Team supervisorcoordinating tasks, managing conflict and keeping the team motivated.
02Project coordinatorplanning, monitoring and controlling small-scale projects.
03Area managermanaging resources, assigning tasks and evaluating performance.
04Team leader in production or operationsprocess improvement, quality control and safety.
05Sales team leadermanaging targets, motivating the team and tracking results.
06Work group facilitatorrunning meetings, managing communication and supporting decision-making.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Small Team Leadership Course

A team works together towards a common goal with shared responsibility, whereas a group can simply be a collection of individuals working side by side.

An effective leader of a small team encourages open communication, empowers members, promotes collaboration and keeps the focus on shared goals.

Module 3 shows you how to set priorities, deadlines and levels of autonomy and follow up with simple indicators and regular reviews, so you stay informed without micromanaging.

Yes. The principles apply to any small team, including crews, operational areas, start-ups and temporary projects.

You diagnose a real small team and design its leadership plan, delegation model and a plan to improve climate, motivation and conflict management.

Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with downloadable materials, practical exercises, discussion forums and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with the applied project. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at team leaders and supervisors, HR professionals and trainers, entrepreneurs and start-up founders, project team members and students or recent graduates who aspire to leadership roles; a background in business administration, human resources or psychology, or experience leading or taking an active part in small teams, is helpful but not essential.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and software to view PDF documents.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $156 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.

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