New e-Learning Course 'Developing People! Feedback Skills for Leaders' to Launch in July 2026, Enabling Managers to Deliver Difficult Messages, Foster Growth, and Build Trust

The Human Resources Development Support Division of Japan Management Association Management Center, Inc. (President: Shiluo Zhang, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter “JMAM”) will launch a new course titled 'Developing People! Feedback Skills for Leaders' in July 2026 on its corporate e-learning platform, 'e-Learning Library® (※1)', which offers educational and training programs for businesses and individuals.

Background of Course Development

In recent years, a growing number of managers have been hesitating to provide necessary guidance or corrections to subordinates due to concerns that their words or actions might be perceived as harassment—a phenomenon known as 'supervisory withdrawal.' According to a survey (※2), over half of managers at large corporations have admitted to refraining from giving essential feedback due to harassment concerns. In today’s environment, where values and work styles are increasingly diverse and careful handling of harassment issues is required, many leaders find themselves holding back, even when they want to drive improvement, due to fears of damaging relationships.

However, when necessary feedback is not delivered at the right time, it leads to work misalignments, missed confirmations, rework, delays, and repeated mistakes. Subordinates may feel confused about what went wrong or find it difficult to speak up honestly, resulting in accumulated stress for both managers and team members. Ultimately, this affects team productivity and erodes trust.

Feedback is not about blaming or evaluating others; it is a crucial form of communication that moves work forward (supports improvement), fosters growth, and prevents teams from repeating the same issues. The ability to convey necessary messages while maintaining relationships—feedback—is an essential skill for leaders.

This course addresses these real-world challenges by teaching four practical points through concrete case studies: conveying facts instead of emotions, actively listening to others, confirming next steps, and creating an environment where consultation and reporting feel easy. The goal is not 'perfect guidance,' but rather achieving both improvement and trust through feedback that can be consistently practiced in daily work.

Course Details

Course Title: Developing People! Feedback Skills for Leaders

Learn the feedback skills every leader needs—don’t just say 'be careful' and leave it at that.

Develop the ability to prevent rework and misunderstandings while fostering an environment conducive to open communication, all while maintaining trust and driving improvement.

Introduction Website: https://www.jmam.co.jp/hrm/course/elearning_lib/vrw.html

Course Objectives and Features:

- Understand the purpose of feedback and the leader’s role, cultivating the right mindset and awareness. - Learn appropriate communication and feedback methods that consider the other person’s situation and position. - Acquire feedback skills to build harmonious relationships with team members and support individual growth.

Target Audience:

- Managers and team leaders - Anyone who wants to improve their feedback skills

Supervisor:

Yukihiro Kuwahata (Senior Consultant, Keio MCC)

Learning Time:

- Estimated Learning Time: 40 minutes - Minimum Completion Time: 22 minutes

Curriculum:

① Starting with 'It’s hard to say' — The purpose of feedback is to 'move forward while preserving relationships.'

② Separate emotions — First, objectively convey 'facts.'

③ Listen without interrupting — Hear the other person out to avoid misunderstandings.

④ Communicate concisely — Organize facts and impacts, and present them as work-related discussions.

⑤ End with 'confirmation and commitment' — Decide on one next action.

⑥ Phrasing that preserves relationships — Be brief, calm, and keep the focus on work.

⑦ Making feedback a routine

Test (10 questions, randomly selected)

Sample Learning Screen:

From '⑥ Phrasing that Preserves Relationships — Brief, Calm, and Focused on Work'

About 'e-Learning Library®'

JMAM’s 'e-Learning Library®' is a corporate education tool that supports multi-device access, enabling users to learn easily, anytime, anywhere, and as many times as needed. It offers over 530 courses (※3), including foundational training for young employees and managers, compliance and harassment prevention programs that support core business operations, and education responding to legal revisions. Seventy percent of adopting companies take governance courses, and the platform has been introduced by over 18,000 companies and organizations, with more than 4.4 million cumulative learners (※4).

Users can select from four libraries based on learning goals: Management, Technical & Vocational Skills, Health Management® (※5), and DX.

Each course includes skit-style video content, reference materials, and report questions designed to reinforce learning.

For HR administrators, the platform offers management functions such as uploading in-house content, managing surveys, and tracking attendance history—enabling companies to use it not just for course delivery but also as their own 'corporate education portal site.'

URL: https://www.jmam.co.jp/hrm/service/dir/el-lib/

※1: 'e-Learning Library®' is a registered trademark of Japan Management Association Management Center, Inc. (JMAM).

https://www.jmam.co.jp/hrm/service/dir/el-lib/

※2: Source: NTT Business Solutions Corporation, 'Intergenerational Comparison Survey on the Boundaries of Harassment' (October 2025 survey)

https://www.nttbizsol.jp/service/karafuru-ai/

※3: Includes courses under development.

※4: Cumulative service data as of September 2025.

※5: 'Health Management®' is a registered trademark of the NPO Health Management Research Association.