7 Essential Steps for First-Time Managers: How to Succeed in Your New Role

Stepping up to a management role is both exciting and challenging, often accompanied by a steep learning curve. You’ve likely been promoted because you’re great at what you do—but management requires a fundamental shift in perspective.

As a manager, your success is no longer about your individual performance; it’s about how well your team performs. Your role now is to help them shine, and if you can create a team of high performers, you’ll become invaluable to the company. Great managers are worth their weight in gold.

So, if you’re ready to support others in reaching their full potential, here are 7 key steps for success as a first-time manager.

1. Let Go of Your Old Job

You were promoted because you excelled in your previous role, but it’s important to remember that your job is now management, not doing the work yourself. If you continue to take on your team’s tasks, you’ll:

• a) Struggle to manage effectively.
• b) Quickly gain a reputation as a micromanager.

Let your team take ownership of their work, and focus on managing.

2. Learn to Trust Your Team

It can be daunting to put your reputation in the hands of your team, but trust is essential for effective management. Avoid hovering over your team and insisting everything be done your way. Instead, allow your employees the space to do their jobs and demonstrate their capabilities.

This approach helps you assess strengths and weaknesses and gives you the opportunity to provide the coaching they need to succeed.

3. Be Visible—Don’t Hide in Your Office

When stepping into a new management role, it’s tempting to retreat to your office, especially when feeling overwhelmed. However, you’ll struggle to build rapport with your team if you remain behind closed doors.

Show your face, engage with your team, and be accessible. If you’re seen as a “hands-off, remote” leader from the start, it’ll be difficult to shift perceptions later on.

4. Avoid Immediate, Sweeping Changes

It’s natural to come into a new role brimming with ideas, but resist the urge to make immediate changes. Especially if you’re new to the company, give the “old ways” a chance. You’ll cause frustration if you change things that weren’t broken, and you risk damaging productivity during the transition.

Take your time, observe, and consult your team before making any major adjustments.

5. Don’t Try to Be Everyone’s Best Friend (or Their Worst Nightmare)

The early days of management can set the tone for your relationships with your team. Avoid the extremes of being too easy-going or too authoritarian.

Don’t point out your own flaws or weaknesses too soon—it’s not the time to express how bad you are at computers or that you’re not feeling confident. Conversely, don’t come out with ultimatums or anger at mistakes. Let your authority develop naturally as your team sees your dedication and competence.

6. Create a Positive Tone from the Start

Set a positive tone from day one by engaging your team. Consider hosting a breakfast meeting or scheduling one-on-one sessions to discuss team goals. Take the opportunity to ask about the previous manager’s goals—there may be valuable insights that can help you build on existing successes.

Building a positive, open atmosphere will help you win the team’s trust and set the foundation for future success.

7. Set Time Aside for Coaching and Strategic Planning

It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks of management, but coaching and strategic planning are essential to your long-term success. Once you’ve got a handle on your new role, start developing a plan to take your team to the next level.

Establish a coaching plan for each team member and find out what motivates them. Incorporate these insights into your broader strategic plan for the team’s development.

The Challenge and Reward of Management

Transitioning into management is a significant challenge. In fact, one study by DDI International found that many leaders found the move to management as stressful as going through a divorce! While it’s no doubt demanding, it’s also incredibly rewarding when done right.

By following these 7 steps, you’ll be well on your way to thriving as a first-time manager. Remember: your success comes from helping your team succeed.

Many thanks,

Alex & The Excel Team

P.S. If you would like to discuss any of your other learning & development challenges, book in your discovery call.

About Excel Communications

Excel Communications is a learning and development consultancy based near London in the U.K. For more than 30 years; we have been collaborating with clients across the globe.  

Partnering with Excel empowers you to evolve your people and business by fuelling a love for learning.   

We work with you to create unforgettably, customised learning experiences to achieve your vision of success and growth, with tangible results.   

View our case studies here.

At Excel Communications we have developed a number of leadership and management programmes that help organisations develop their own high performing first line managers. To find out more call us on; +44 (0) 1628 488 854