Being a manager for the first-time can be complicated—here’s how to get better.
6 Useful Pieces of Advice for First-Time Managers
Embrace continuous learning
As a first-time manager, you might still have a lot to learn. When leading a team, recognise that you won’t have all the answers immediately, and that’s perfectly normal. You can ask questions from experienced colleagues, gather feedback from your members, and be open to new ideas. Your willingness to learn will help you grow and will demonstrate how growth and adaptability are valued in your workplace.
Seek mentorship
You don’t have to fulfil your new role alone. A mentor, who has invaluable guidance and perspective, can share lessons learnt from their own experiences, help you avoid common pitfalls, and act as a sounding board for your ideas and concerns. This support network will help you build confidence and accelerate your development as a leader.
Adopt a growth mindset
Having a growth mindset means adopting the belief that intelligence, abilities, and skills can be developed through dedication, effort, and continuous learning, rather than being fixed traits. View challenges and mistakes as opportunities for improvement rather than failures. When someone makes a mistake, focus on what can be learnt from the experience rather than assigning blame.
Communicate and listen
Establish your communication preferences early and encourage your team to share their thoughts and concerns. Importantly, listen more than you talk, as this builds trust and helps you identify issues before they escalate.
Set clear expectations
From the outset, make sure your team understands your vision, goals, and expectations. Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and the standards by which success will be measured. When delegating tasks, be explicit about what needs to be done and the desired outcomes. This clarity prevents misunderstandings and ensures everyone is aligned and working toward common objectives.
Practice accountability
When you openly admit your errors, it shows humility and sets a powerful example that it’s okay to be imperfect and learn from setbacks. Rather than deflecting blame, use mistakes as valuable learning opportunities to identify what went wrong and how to improve moving forward.
Stepping into a leadership role comes with a lot of new responsibilities. As a first-time manager, keep in mind that guiding people effectively takes time, patience, and practice.