Management Foundations Cohort ProgramĀ 

The Management Foundations Cohort Program (MFCP) equips new MIT people managers with the foundational leadership and management skills needed to excel in their roles.

About the Program

The MFCP was developed to meet the needs of new managers (both those who are new to managing and those who are new to the Institute) and provide an opportunity for experienced managers to refresh their essential skills. Topics include giving and receiving feedback, building trust and effective communication with direct reports, understanding performance development and developing strategic decision-making and delegation abilities. Practice and discussion sessions are interspersed with interactive workshops over the course of several weeks.  

MFCP participants will learn and practice relevant and useful tools for managing themselves and their direct reports more effectively and efficiently.  

Features

  • Cohort format to facilitate shared learning and peer engagement 
  • On-the-job application of program learning 
  • Tools and frameworks that participants can use to support their own growth and the development of their direct reports 
  • Practice and discussion sessions to consolidate learning and reinforce new skills and behaviors 

Schedule

Fall 2026 sessions will take place in NE49-5000 (MIT Human Resources), on Zoom, and through online, self-guided courses.

Session Date Time Learning Modality Attendance
Program Orientation Thursday, October 8 9:30 - 11 a.m. In-person, NE49-5000 Required
Module 1: Your Role as a Manager Self-paced to be completed by Thursday, October 15 1-hour course Online Required
Module 2: Understand and Manage Your Emotions Self-paced to be completed by Thursday, October 15 1-hour course Online Required
Discussion/Practice 1 Thursday, October 15 1 - 2:30 p.m. In-person, NE49-5000 Required
Module 3: Receiving and Offering Feedback, Part I Tuesday, October 20 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Zoom Required
Discussion/Practice 2 Thursday, October 22 1 - 2:30 p.m. Zoom Optional
Module 4: Building Trust Through Communication Tuesday, October 27 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. In-person, NE49-5000 Required
Discussion/Practice 3 Thursday, October 29 1 - 2:30 p.m. Zoom Optional
Module 5: Receiving and Offering Feedback, Part II Tuesday, November 3 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. In-person, NE49-5000 Required
Discussion/Practice 4 Thursday, November 5 1 - 2:30 p.m. Zoom Optional
Module 6: Decision-Making and Delegation for Managers Tuesday, November 10 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Zoom Required
Discussion/Practice 5 Thursday, November 12 1 - 2:30 p.m. Zoom Optional
Module 7: Performance Reviews Self-paced to be completed by Thursday, November 19 1.5-hour course Online Required
Discussion/Practice 6 Thursday, November 19 9:30 - 11 a.m. In-person, NE49-5000 Required
Program Closing Thursday, November 19 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. In-person, NE49-5000 Required

Applying to MFCP

The fall 2026 cohort application will be open through August 25, 2026. Please have your manager's support to participate in the program before applying.

After you complete your application, your manager will be invited to complete a short form indicating their support for your participation in the program. Participants will be notified of their acceptance by September 4, 2026.