Congratulations on your new role as a manager!
Whether you've been promoted from within or hired into a leadership position, stepping into management is a significant career milestone and a clear sign that your company believes in your ability to lead, inspire others and drive results.
If you are feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety, you are not alone. Many new managers wonder the same thing: How do I lead a team when I have never done it before? How do I learn to delegate and flip the switch from being an individual contributor to a manager?
The good news is that you do not need to be perfect. But you do need to be prepared and present.
Below, we uncover five management tips for new managers that outline how you can quickly make a positive impact in your new role.
1. Get to know your team
Many people ask this: What is the first thing a new manager should do?
The simple answer?
Get to know your team. Schedule weekly one-on-one meetings to learn about each person's role, responsibilities, key projects and how you can provide support. Schedule weekly team meetings that bring the group together to discuss projects, challenges, successes and team updates. Be curious. Listen carefully. Listening builds trust and shows your team that you value their input.
Another key tip for new managers: Don't just focus on understanding what your team does in their day-to-day work. Take the time to get to know them as a person. Discover their interests and be open to learning about them personally, not just professionally. Try to find common interests that can provide a human connection, not just a working relationship. Be authentic and understand that earning trust and building these relationships, both personal and professional, takes time.
2. Don't force change for the sake of change
One of the most essential pieces of advice for new managers is to ensure you do not force things. Don’t make changes for the sake of making changes. Every department and team face challenges, but it takes time to understand those challenges and the reasons behind them. You may need to be a change agent, and that time may come, but first, get to know the challenges and opportunities within the team, department and organization before shaking things up. You don't want to come into a job as a new manager and try to prove that you are the boss by making changes for the sake of making changes.
Before you dive into your new leadership role, brush up on five key mistakes every new hire should avoid.
3. Find a mentor
Find an experienced manager who can serve as a mentor. Seek out their advice and input. As you do with your direct reports and team, schedule weekly calls to ask questions and learn. Experienced managers within your organization can provide an outside viewpoint that helps you identify potential challenges or opportunities you may not yet see. They have also likely faced many of the same challenges you are experiencing, and a good mentor will be happy to share their advice and feedback.
In addition, connect regularly with other first-time managers. This offers the chance to lean on each other for support, share ideas and problem solve. As your career grows, you can pay it back by offering to serve as a mentor for new managers in the same position you are in now.
4. Seek out management training opportunities
Take advantage of any management or leadership training opportunities within your organization and set aside time each week to complete the available training. If you're unsure where to find management training opportunities, ask your mentor, other new managers or your team leader to share training resources with you. Also consider external resources, such as LinkedIn Learning or Coursera.
At the same time, emphasize the value of continuous learning with your team. Doing so demonstrates your commitment to your team's personal development and career growth, which can also be a crucial factor in building successful teams and retaining top talent.
5. Be the manager you always wished you had
One of the most powerful things you can do as a first-time manager is reflect on your own experience as a direct report. Look back at the best managers you've had—what worked, what didn't and why? Who were the leaders who brought out the best in you, and why? Did they give you space to grow? Did they have your back when things got tough? Did they treat you with respect and trust? What positive traits stood out that made an impact?
Then, look back at the traits of the most ineffective managers you've had. What didn't work? Why didn't it work?
Managing a team isn't about having all the answers; it's about showing up in ways that make others feel valued, supported and empowered. So, ask yourself regularly: Am I being the kind of manager I would want to be? Chances are that your team wants that, too.
Bonus tips: Dos and don'ts for new managers
Every manager has a unique leadership style, and that's a good thing. As you settle into your role, use these dos and don'ts for new managers as a quick reminder of how to stay on task as a first-time manager:
DO:
Build relationships before driving results—Trust takes time and is the foundation of any high-performing team.
Ask more questions than you answer—Be curious, not just directive. The more you learn, the better you'll lead.
Support your team's growth—Whether it's recommending training or encouraging a stretch project, show your team you care about their career.
Be consistent—Your team needs to know what to expect from you in terms of how you communicate, provide feedback and show up every day.
Lead with empathy—Everyone's juggling something, and great managers lead with understanding, not assumptions.
DON'T:
Rush to prove yourself—You don't need to make significant changes right away to show you're in charge.
Try to be everyone's best friend—It’s important to be friendly and approachable, but your focus should be on leading with clarity and confidence rather than trying to please everyone.
Ignore minor issues—Avoiding tough conversations only creates bigger problems down the road.
Assume your old job is still your job—Step back. Delegate. You are no longer an individual contributor. Your success now depends on helping others succeed.
Pretend to have all the answers—It's OK to say, "I don't know, but I'll find out."
If you've just stepped into a leadership role, use these new manager tips as a guide.
And remember this: You don't have to have it all figured out from the start. Keep learning, listening and showing up. That's how managers grow and develop teams and individuals that succeed. And how you go from a new manager to a successful manager.
