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Investing in strong leadership foundation early is a strategic advantage
As a founder, you can’t be everywhere at once. The moment you add layers of management, your company’s success depends on first-time managers. If they struggle, your whole team feels it. Deadlines slip. Friction rises. Top performers leave.
That’s why HaluHR exists - to give new managers exactly what they need: practical skills, confidence, and ongoing coaching to lead with impact.
Startups that invest early in leadership development:
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Grow 3x faster
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Cut turnover by 50%
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Retain their top talent longer
Your differentiator isn’t just your product. It’s your people. And when your first managers become great leaders, they become the engine of sustainable growth.
My name is Pawel Karbowski
For 14 years, I’ve worked at the intersection of people and performance. From Fortune 500 corporations to fast-scaling startups, I’ve seen firsthand how critical strong managers are to growth.
I’m a certified leadership coach through the Academy of Leadership Coaching in San Francisco. I’ve coached and mentored over 200 managers and led workshops for more than 3,000 people. My approach is direct, practical, and built on years of seeing what actually works.
Founders partner with me because they know leadership is too important to leave to chance. I help their first-time managers become confident leaders who drive execution, keep teams motivated, and protect culture while scaling. That’s the kind of leadership foundation every startup needs, and it’s exactly what I deliver.
What I Offer
A practical and effective leadership program to help your managers thrive
Where Your Top Performers Become High-Impact Managers.
A 6-month remote training and coaching program built specifically for first-time managers in startups and scale-ups, where participants transform from uncertain or overwhelmed to confident, capable, and culture-aligned.
The From Doer To Leader program is designed to equip new managers with the skills, mindset, and confidence required to lead teams effectively in fast-paced, growing companies. Delivered entirely remotely, participants gain a structured, supportive framework over six months that helps them navigate the transition from individual contributor to leader. They learn how to make better decisions, influence their teams, and drive results while maintaining alignment with the company’s culture and values.
The program emphasizes practical leadership development, combining guided learning with opportunities to apply concepts in real-world scenarios. Managers emerge capable of managing performance, motivating team members, handling challenging conversations, and building trust and engagement across their teams. By the end of the program, participants are able to step into their roles with clarity, authority, and a sense of ownership, turning their teams into high-performing units that contribute directly to the organization’s success.
This program is ideal for startups and scale-ups that want to invest in their emerging leaders, ensuring that early management mistakes are minimized, retention of top talent is maximized, and growth is supported by capable, confident managers.
Packages
Foundations Package
A lean, high-impact program to provide essential frameworks and guidance for first-time managers.
Included:
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6 monthly group workshops (interactive, scenario-based)
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Digital playbooks and templates
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Access to a peer network for accountability and support
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End-of-program report with outcomes, insights, and recommendations
Price: €2'000 (per manager)
*Min 3 participants
Impact Package (Most Popular)
Combines structured learning with personalized coaching to maximize manager effectiveness and team impact.
Included:
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6 monthly group workshops (interactive, scenario-based)
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Digital playbooks and templates
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360º assessment
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Access to a peer network for accountability and support
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End-of-program report with outcomes, insights, and recommendations
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6 monthly 1:1 coaching sessions (45 min each)
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2 optional Manager Emergency Consultations (open office hours for real-time challenges)
Price: €3'000 (per manager)
*Min 3 participants
Leadership Edge Package
A premium program with enhanced experiences to accelerate manager growth and organizational impact.
Included:
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6 monthly group workshops (interactive, scenario-based)
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Digital playbooks and templates
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360º assessment
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Access to a peer network for accountability and support
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End-of-program report with outcomes, insights, and recommendations
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6 monthly 1:1 coaching sessions (45 min each)
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2 optional Manager Emergency Consultations
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Onsite kick-off workshop to align managers and leadership
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Executive alignment session with senior leadership
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Additional personalized coaching hours if needed
Price: €4'500 (per manager)
*Min 3 participants
Testimonials
Alessandro S.
Head of Contract Management
Holcim, Italy
We enrolled our new managers in Pawel's program, and the difference was clear within weeks. They came back with practical tools, greater confidence, and a stronger ability to lead their teams effectively. It’s rare to find a program that delivers tangible improvements so quickly. Our teams are performing better, and our managers are truly stepping up.
Daria P.
Marketing Manager
ReVerb, France
Before this program, I was excited about my promotion but honestly felt overwhelmed. The workshops and coaching gave me a clear framework for leading my team and handling tricky situations like feedback and goal-setting. I feel far more confident now, and I can see my team responding positively. Engagement and productivity have improved, and I finally feel in control as a manager.
Michal B.
Team Lead
Acra, Poland
The program helped me understand how to motivate different team members, run effective 1:1s, and make decisions that align with both our company goals and culture. The coaching was practical, supportive, and exactly what I needed to grow into my new role. I would recommend it to any new manager who wants to hit the ground running.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the questions founders ask most often before bringing their managers into the program
How is your approach different from generic leadership training?
Most programs teach theory in a corporate context. From Doer to Leader is different because it’s built exclusively for startups and scale-ups. The content is lean, practical, and immediately applicable. Instead of abstract models, we work on the exact situations your managers face — motivating peers who used to be colleagues, setting priorities in fast-changing environments, giving tough feedback without losing trust, and aligning with company culture while still driving results. Every session ends with concrete tools and actions that managers use the same week. That’s why the impact shows up quickly in day-to-day performance.
What outcomes can we expect for our managers and company?
Managers leave the program with clarity, confidence, and tools they can use immediately. You’ll see:
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Fewer management mistakes early on.
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Higher team performance and engagement.
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Retention of top performers who see better leadership.
• More time freed up for founders and execs, because managers step up effectively.
At the end of the program, you’ll also receive a comprehensive report with outcomes, insights, and recommendations to guide your next steps in leadership development.
How quickly can we expect to see results?
Most companies notice a shift within the first 1–2 months. Managers begin applying what they learn right away, so you’ll see better conversations, clearer expectations, and more ownership almost from the start. To make progress visible, I also help set up simple KPIs you can track — things like feedback frequency, team engagement, or alignment on goals — so impact is measurable.
How is the program delivered?
The program is designed as a remote-first experience, delivered online through live workshops, coaching sessions, and digital resources. This makes it accessible to managers anywhere. For companies that prefer in-person delivery, onsite sessions can be arranged upon request, depending on timing and location.
What if our managers are at different levels of experience?
That’s common in startups and scale-ups. The program is structured so that each manager develops at their own pace, while group sessions encourage shared learning and peer support. More experienced managers still benefit from sharpening the skills and fixing their blind spots, while newer managers gain confidence faster through coaching and guided practice.