10 Tips for new managers
So, if you’ve recently been promoted, or maybe you’ve just volunteered for the ‘glorious’ title of ‘manager,’ then congrats!
You’ve just been handed the keys to a kingdom of emails, meetings, and, of course, people problems.
Naturally, you’re thinking: How do I not mess this up? Don’t worry, I’ve got your back.
In this post, I’ll break down 15 essential tips you can start applying today to help you thrive as a first-time manager.
Let’s get into it!
Tip No. 1: Embrace the Power Shift
With great power comes great responsibility.
If you think the only thing that changed with your promotion is your cooler title and higher paycheck, think again. You’re no longer just one of the team—you’re now “the boss.” The people who used to be your peers are now your employees.
Be ready for some of them to look at you differently. You’ll need to re-establish those relationships.
If you were buddies with some of them, those friendships shouldn’t affect your business decisions. Clear boundaries are essential—at least at work. If you don’t adjust these relationships early, you risk your friends taking advantage of you, which will erode your fresh and fragile authority with the rest of the team.
Tip No. 2: Forget Your Old Job
You may have excelled in your previous role as an individual contributor. That’s likely why you got promoted in the first place.
Good for you! But it’s over now. Don’t make the mistake of clinging to your old job out of fear of taking on the challenges of your new role. Avoid procrastinating by being “unreasonably helpful” and continuing to handle your old responsibilities.
If the company hasn’t replaced you yet or needs you to train your successor, focus on that briefly. However, your time allocation should prioritize your new role, as it’s the position you’ll be judged on moving forward.
Tip No. 3: Learn to Say “No”
One of the easiest traps for new managers is being too agreeable.
You might feel the need to say “yes” to every request—whether from employees, your boss, or clients—just to prove how hard-working and accommodating you are.
But here’s what happens next:
You get overwhelmed.
You start missing the basics.
You fail to deliver on your commitments.
Your team becomes overworked and directionless.
Result? The opposite of impressing everyone.
You got this job for a reason—you deserve it. Be confident enough to say “no” to tasks that aren’t a priority for you or your team right now.
Tip No. 4: Establish Your Authority
Focus on establishing your authority from the start and never let up.
Just because you’re the manager now doesn’t mean your team will automatically respect you. Saying, “I’m the boss,” will backfire—it has the exact opposite effect. True bosses never have to say it.
You earn authority by excelling at key management skills. Demonstrate that you’re someone your team can rely on for guidance and career progression.
Tip No. 5: Be a Clear Communicator
Be crystal clear about:
Your role.
Your team’s collective goals for the next 12 months.
Individual roles, goals, expectations, and deliverables.
Effective communication is essential. Even the best ideas and plans will fail if they aren’t clearly conveyed to your team.
It’s not just about emails—many of which go unread. Communication should be clear, consistent, and engaging. Use various channels, from meetings to instant messages, to maintain an open flow of information.
Tip No. 6: Be Decisive
As a manager, your team looks to you for direction.
It’s okay to admit when you don’t have all the answers, but you still need to make decisions. Indecision is far more exhausting than making a call and adjusting if needed.
Remember: The core of any leadership role is the ability to decide and take responsibility for the outcomes. That’s what you’re paid for.
Tip No. 7: Be Accountable
Your team will model their behavior after yours.
If you’re late to meetings, miss deadlines, or blame others for your mistakes, your team will do the same. Set the standard by holding yourself accountable. Admit your mistakes—no one expects perfection, but they do expect integrity.
Tip No. 8: Master the Art of Delegation
Delegating isn’t a sign of weakness.
You can’t—and shouldn’t—do everything yourself. Your role is to ensure the team performs well collectively. Trust your team, assign tasks based on strengths, and allow them to deliver.
Done right, delegation:
Develops your team’s skills.
Makes them feel valued and trusted.
Boosts overall morale.
Tip No. 9: Develop Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Management is all about people.
People are complex. Their behaviors, decisions, and reactions are shaped by unique backgrounds, emotions, and motivations.
Developing EQ helps you navigate these intricacies effectively. Here’s how:
Listen actively—don’t interrupt.
Stay calm—control your emotions, even during tense situations.
Practice empathy—understand others’ perspectives.
Communicate clearly (see Tip No. 5).
Tip No. 10: Focus on Time Management
As a new manager, you’ll quickly realize how limited your time is.
You’ll face demands from every direction: employees, bosses, clients, and more. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but better time management can solve most of these challenges.
Here are two quick strategies:
Use your calendar religiously.
Block out time for priority tasks and follow it fanatically. Use color codes to differentiate tasks, such as meetings, project work, or client calls.Define your priorities.
For new managers, a solid starting list is:Know your team.
Understand your processes.
Establish and communicate objectives.
These are 10 tips for new managers. I hope they help you on your leadership journey!