Classroom/ Online: Yes/ No
Scheduling Date(s):
1) Aug 14, 2025 (classroom)
2) Nov 24, 2025 (classroom)
Note: Please click specific date for detailed venue and course fee etc.
Coffee Conversations for People Managers
Energising Everyday Leadership Through Relational Intelligence
"The best ideas often start with a simple conversation over coffee." – Unknown
In the fast-paced world of middle management, people leaders often find themselves caught between strategic direction and operational demands. They are expected to lead teams, manage upwards, and maintain harmony—all while driving performance. But at the heart of effective people management lies a powerful yet often overlooked skill: relational leadership.
"Coffee Conversations for People Managers" is a one-day, highly interactive programme designed to rejuvenate and refocus middle managers through the lens of connection, communication, and curiosity. Inspired by the comforting ritual of coffee and the candid conversations it often fosters, this programme introduces managers to the art of leading with empathy, presence, and clarity—through meaningful everyday interactions.
Grounded in the trainer's philosophy of co-creation and human-centred growth, the programme blends practical tools, self-awareness, and facilitated dialogues to help managers enhance trust, lead with emotional intelligence, and engage their teams effectively—even amidst change and complexity.
"The best ideas often start with a simple conversation over coffee." – Unknown
In the fast-paced world of middle management, people leaders often find themselves caught between strategic direction and operational demands. They are expected to lead teams, manage upwards, and maintain harmony—all while driving performance. But at the heart of effective people management lies a powerful yet often overlooked skill: relational leadership.
"Coffee Conversations for People Managers" is a one-day, highly interactive programme designed to rejuvenate and refocus middle managers through the lens of connection, communication, and curiosity. Inspired by the comforting ritual of coffee and the candid conversations it often fosters, this programme introduces managers to the art of leading with empathy, presence, and clarity—through meaningful everyday interactions.
Grounded in the trainer's philosophy of co-creation and human-centred growth, the programme blends practical tools, self-awareness, and facilitated dialogues to help managers enhance trust, lead with emotional intelligence, and engage their teams effectively—even amidst change and complexity.
Objective
Participants will be able to:
- Apply relational intelligence to manage across teams, functions, and generations.
- Hold meaningful and constructive conversations to improve team motivation and cohesion.
- Build trust and approachability as a leader through everyday interactions.
- Manage team dynamics with clarity, empathy, and confidence.
- Strengthen their ability to listen actively, speak intentionally, and coach effectively
Outline
1. The Everyday Brew – Understanding Your Team Culture
2. Stirring the Cup – Managing Difficult Conversations
3. Pour-Over Leadership – Listening with Purpose, Speaking with Clarity
4. Blending the Team – Managing Across Generations and Work Styles
- Recognising daily communication patterns and emotional climate
- Exploring team expectations, motivation triggers, and psychological safety
- Leadership reflection: “What kind of coffee are you to your team?”
2. Stirring the Cup – Managing Difficult Conversations
- Tools for navigating performance and behaviour issues with confidence
- Real-play practice: “say this, not that” conversation labs
- Mindfulness techniques to stay centred in emotionally charged moments
3. Pour-Over Leadership – Listening with Purpose, Speaking with Clarity
- Active listening skills and asking powerful questions
- NLP framing for feedback, appreciation, and encouragement
- Conversation models:- coaching prompts
4. Blending the Team – Managing Across Generations and Work Styles
- Identifying generational communication preferences (Boomers to Gen Z)
- Building inclusive teams with shared purpose and psychological safety
- Creating a “Coffee Communication Culture Map” with your team vision and action steps
Who should attend
- Middle managers, team leaders, and section heads
- Supervisors transitioning into people leadership roles
- Leaders navigating cross-functional or cross-generational dynamics
Methodology
- Interactive Labs: real-play, peer coaching, and guided feedback
- Coffee-Inspired Metaphors: using coffee types, brewing methods, and tasting notes to explore team dynamics
- Self-Reflection Tools: journaling, profiling, and personal action planning • Practical Frameworks: GROW, NLP language patterns, generational alignment maps
Group Size & Venue Requirements
• Recommended Group Size: 10–20 participants
• Venue Needs:
- Cluster seating for peer work and mini-group conversations
- Coffee station or barista table (optional)
Testimonials
Thank you for all of the time and attention you've given me. It made such a difference in my attitude and grades. I've changed in so many wonderful ways under your instruction. No other teacher has ever invested so much time in me, and I am truly grateful. You have been an incredible teacher of lessons both inside and outside of the classroom. I could never thank you enough. I feel so truly lucky to have a teacher who shows all of the care, understanding, and patience that you do. Thank you for everything. – F. Azmi (Patient Service Associate)
Charlene is wonderful. She can point out the unspoken things clearly to help us understand more about the generational gap further. – SIA Cabin Crew
Charlene is wonderful. She can point out the unspoken things clearly to help us understand more about the generational gap further. – SIA Cabin Crew
Profile of Charlene Teo
Service Leadership | Neuro-Linguistic Programming | Wine & Coffee Communication | Transactional Analysis | Mindfulness & Psychotherapy
With over 40 years of experience in people-centered industries—including aviation, education, psychotherapy, and corporate training—Charlene Teo brings a rare blend of depth, warmth, and strategic insight to every learning experience she leads.
Charlene is a certified Specialist Adult Educator (IAL) and a certified trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Hypnotherapy (ABH/ABNLP), whose multi-disciplinary approach integrates behavioral psychology, communication frameworks, and sensory experiences into impactful training programmes. Her background as a former Singapore Airlines Chief Stewardess and In-house Trainer has shaped her global outlook and exceptional ability to engage diverse participants.
Specialisation in Coffee, Wine & Relationship-Building
Charlene's unique training approach includes signature programmes like "Brewing Culture, Shaping Vision," "Coffee Conversations," and "From Barrel to Bond," where she blends the art of beverage appreciation with leadership and relationship-building. Over the past five years, she has taught both WSQ-certified Coffee and Wine Service programmes and curated private sector workshops, as well as developed training content for organisations seeking to integrate sensory learning with professional development.
Her experience spans both preparing and serving specialty coffee to international clientele during her time with Singapore Airlines, and her extensive knowledge of wine has allowed her to design innovative modules that use coffee brewing and wine tasting as a metaphor for self-awareness, presence, and interpersonal communication.
Charlene is passionate about combining her knowledge of coffee and wine with leadership and communication development—helping individuals and teams explore how sensory experiences can deepen emotional intelligence, team cohesion, and authentic connection.
Proven Expertise Across Sectors
Charlene has designed and conducted impactful training for a wide range of organizations such as Singapore Airlines, JP Morgan, PSA, SGH, ST Engineering, IAL, and various ministries, schools, and non-profits. Her specialties include:
- Service Leadership & Emotional Intelligence
- Negotiation Skills & Managing Difficult People
- Multi-Generational Workforce Engagement
- Mindfulness-Based Leadership & TA Integration
As a certified Transactional Analysis Advanced Practitioner and Clinical Supervisor, she delivers psychologically safe, reflective spaces for change to take root.
Training That Transforms
Charlene’s workshops are known for being sensory-rich, thought-provoking, and deeply human. She incorporates experiential learning, guided reflection, and real-world application to help participants connect the dots between their inner world and outer behaviors.
Guided by her life mantra - "Exploring Dreams through Growing Experiences" -Charlene believes that growth begins with awareness, and transformation begins with choice.
