Leadership Foundations: Essential Skills for New Managers

English Edition
In-person | Sofia | MyFlex Twins
Start date: 15 January 2026
Sessions: 15 Jan | 5 Feb | 26 Feb | 19 Mar

Bulgarian Edition
In-person | Sofia | MyFlex Twins
Start date: 5 March 2026
Sessions: 5 Mar | 26 Mar | 22 Apr | 13 May

“Leadership Foundations” is a high-impact, fast-track development program designed for newly appointed and emerging managers. Delivered through four in-person modules in Sofia, the program equips participants with the core competencies every leader needs to succeed: self-leadership, communication, delegation, and motivation. You’ll walk away with practical tools, increased confidence, and a clearer sense of your leadership identity and impact.

Integration and Support

The learning journey doesn't end with the program, it just takes on a new dimension. The integration phase aims to ensure that newly acquired skills remain not only acquired and practised in the training room, but also consistently applied in the professional life of the leaders.

LeadFit supports this mission by offering:

28-Day Challenges: Designed to encourage continuous development, these biweekly tasks and reminders provide leaders with actionable steps to reinforce their learning and apply it to real-world scenarios.
Online Follow-Up Sessions: One-hour virtual support sessions held between modules to help participants reconnect, share experiences, and refine their skills based on real-life application and challenges faced.
Ongoing Email Support: An open email channel is available for all participants, offering a direct line for questions, clarifications, and additional insights. This ensures leaders feel supported as they implement their learning in the workplace.

Session 1: Lead from Within – Building Your Leadership Identity

English Edition: 15 January 2026

Bulgarian Edition: 5 March 2026

Overview

Explore what it really means to be a leader – beyond tasks and responsibilities. This session builds the foundation for confident, intentional leadership by focusing on identity, trust, and personal effectiveness. You’ll begin developing your leadership presence and reflect on the impact you want to create.

What You Will Learn

Shift from expert to leader: expectations, mindset, and presence
Distinguish between leadership and management roles
Adapt leadership style to different people and situations
Build trust and authority through consistency and example
Recognize the manager’s role as a driver of growth and team autonomy

As an executive director of a financial institution, she was responsible for the areas of HR, Finance and Legal. Her extensive experience in HR includes the design and delivery of training, onboarding programs, coaching, and mentoring of peer and junior colleagues, employer branding, and creation and optimisation of HR-related processes. She was involved in several strategic HR projects both in Bulgaria and abroad related to restructuring and change management.

Her passion is working with people, supporting their growth, moderating people-related issues and transferring knowledge.

For the past 6 years, Julia has been working as an HR consultant. Some of her areas of expertise in training are leadership, performance management, coaching, mentoring, career counselling and finance.

She has led HR functions in multinational companies across FMCG, IT, and technology sectors, holding senior positions at Danone BG, Telelink Business Services, and a U.S.-based IT company. Her responsibilities spanned Bulgaria and extended to Hungary, Romania, Poland, and Northern Europe, where she played a key role in building and expanding HR functions.

She holds Master’s degrees in Engineering and in Organizational and Labor Psychology, is CIPD qualified, and a certified coach from Erickson Coaching School. Veneta is known as an empathetic facilitator and skilled mediator, supporting leaders in bridging organizational goals with human potential. Her expertise lies in leadership development, coaching, and building environments where people thrive, combining strategic vision with a strong focus on personal growth.

Session 2: Communicate to Connect – Conversations That Build Trust

English Edition: 5 February 2026

Bulgarian Edition: 26 March 2026

Overview

Strong communication is the cornerstone of effective leadership. This session focuses on how to express yourself clearly, listen actively, and handle difficult conversations with confidence. You'll practice techniques to strengthen trust and influence across your team.

What You Will Learn

Identify your communication style and its effect on others
Use listening, empathy, and feedback to build connection
Navigate difficult conversations with calm and clarity
Improve assertiveness without aggression
Foster open dialogue, trust, and alignment

Session 3: Empower with Purpose – Delegating and Setting Clear Direction

English Edition: 26 February 2026

Bulgarian Edition: 22 April 2026

Overview

Delegation is not about giving away tasks—it’s about developing people. In this session, you’ll learn how to delegate with clarity and purpose, ensuring that goals are understood and followed through. You’ll also learn how to manage your time and energy more effectively as a leader.

What You Will Learn

Understand when and how to delegate strategically
Set FAST vs. SMART goals and communicate clear expectations
Match tasks to people based on readiness and strengths
Lead effective delegation meetings and follow-ups
Empower others while keeping accountability in focus

She has led complex projects in business development, strategic partnerships, and organizational transformation, building a strong international profile across North America, Europe, and Africa.

A certified mediator and negotiation expert, Albena has worked with global organizations such as Shell, Novartis, Citibank, UBS, Vodafone, Philips, HSBC, and Cargill. In her role as a Senior Leadership and Negotiation Coach at Deloitte University, she supports senior executives in navigating high-stakes, strategically complex situations. Albena is recognized for her structured, pragmatic approach and her commitment to developing confident leaders with strong business judgment and negotiation capability.

She began her journey as a Medical Representative in 2001, advancing to Regional Manager and later to Chief Sales Officer, where she successfully led teams and developed leaders, unlocking their full potential. Her career highlights include driving strategic projects, launching innovative products, and expanding markets with measurable business impact.

Antonia is also a certified coach and trainer with Erickson Coaching International, bringing extensive expertise in leadership, communication, and team development. Her work encompasses negotiation, analytical thinking, project management, feedback, and change management. She is widely recognized for her ability to nurture talent, foster collaboration, and lead transformational initiatives with both local and global scope

Session 4: Inspire Growth – Feedback and Everyday Motivation

English Edition: 19 March 2026

Bulgarian Edition: 13 May 2026

Overview

This session focuses on how to create a culture of motivation and growth through daily leadership habits. Learn how to give and receive feedback in a way that drives performance and builds commitment. Discover how to tap into what truly motivates your people.

What You Will Learn

Deliver feedback that builds trust and encourages action
Identify individual motivators and tailor your leadership style
Use both formal and informal feedback effectively
Create a positive, recognition-rich team environment
Practice constructive conversations that support development

Language

English and Bulgarian (delivered in separate editions)

Location: MyFlex Twins, Sofia

Participation Fee & Registration Info

Participation Fee:

Per Session: €410 per person, VAT excluded
€370 per person for groups of 3 or more (VAT excluded)
Full Program (4 Sessions): €1,600 per person, VAT excluded

Before you Register

If you have any questions or need assistance, contact us at contact@leadfitglobal.org and you’ll be guided through a short registration process and receive a confirmation email with all necessary details.

LeadFit Global