Advice for First-Time Managers on Developing Leadership Skills and Managing Teams
Moving from an individual contributor to a managerial role is an exciting career milestone. But it also comes with new challenges—shifting from executing tasks to leading a team, making decisions, and managing different personalities. The good news? Leadership is a skill that can be developed.
This guide will walk you through key strategies, real-life examples, and actionable exercises to help you transition smoothly into management and become an effective leader.
1. Shift Your Mindset from “Me” to “We”
As a team player, your focus was on personal performance. As a leader, your success is measured by your team’s success. Learning to delegate, empower others, and think strategically is crucial.
Real-Life Example:
Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, once emphasized that shifting from an individual contributor to a leadership role meant realizing that success is about enabling others. He focused on fostering a culture of learning rather than just driving personal achievements.
Actionable Exercise:
Write down:
- Three ways you can support your team beyond just task management.
- One action you can take this week to empower a team member (e.g., giving them ownership of a small project).
2. Build Strong Communication Skills
Good managers don’t just give orders—they create an open dialogue where team members feel heard and valued. Learning to listen actively, provide clear expectations, and give constructive feedback is essential.
Real-Life Example:
Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks, was known for personally listening to employees’ concerns, leading to company-wide improvements in employee benefits.
Actionable Exercise:
- Schedule 1:1 meetings with your team members and ask:
- What are their current challenges?
- What support do they need from you?
- Practice active listening: Repeat back key points they mention to ensure clarity.
3. Learn to Delegate Effectively
New managers often struggle with letting go of tasks they used to handle themselves. But micromanaging limits team growth and burns you out. The key is delegating the right tasks to the right people.
Real-Life Example:
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, is known for trusting his leadership team to manage different aspects of the business while he focuses on the bigger picture.
Actionable Exercise:
- List your daily tasks and categorize them into:
- Must do myself (strategic, high-level decision-making).
- Can delegate (routine tasks, research, data collection).
- Choose one task to delegate this week and track the outcome.
4. Manage Different Personalities
Every team has diverse working styles, motivations, and strengths. A great leader adapts their management approach to bring out the best in each team member.
Real-Life Example:
Google’s Project Oxygen found that the best managers tailor their leadership style based on individual team needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Actionable Exercise:
- Identify each team member’s working style (e.g., independent worker, team-oriented, hands-on learner).
- Adjust your leadership approach—some may need detailed instructions, while others thrive with autonomy.
5. Handle Difficult Conversations with Confidence
From addressing underperformance to resolving conflicts, tough conversations are part of leadership. The key is approaching them with clarity, empathy, and a solutions-focused mindset.
Real-Life Example:
Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta, emphasized radical candor—giving direct yet compassionate feedback to help employees improve.
Actionable Exercise:
- Use the SBI Model (Situation-Behavior-Impact) when giving feedback:
- Situation: “In last week’s meeting…”
- Behavior: “You interrupted a colleague multiple times…”
- Impact: “This made it difficult for others to share ideas.”
- Practice framing feedback with a balance of honesty and support.
6. Develop Decision-Making Confidence
Leaders must make decisions, often with limited information. Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on making informed, timely choices and learning from the results.
Real-Life Example:
Elon Musk moves quickly on decisions, even when risks are involved. His philosophy? “If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough.”
Actionable Exercise:
- When faced with a tough decision, use the 70% Rule (Jeff Bezos’ approach):
- If you have 70% of the needed information, decide. Waiting for 100% can slow progress.
- Reflect on past decisions—what worked, what didn’t, and how you can improve.
7. Inspire and Motivate Your Team
Employees perform better when they feel valued, challenged, and aligned with a vision. A strong leader cultivates a positive work culture where people feel motivated to contribute.
Real-Life Example:
Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, says, “Take care of your employees, and they’ll take care of your business.” His leadership style emphasizes trust, fun, and creativity.
Actionable Exercise:
- Recognize one team member’s contribution this week (publicly in a meeting or privately in a message).
- Ask your team what excites them about their work and how you can support their growth.
Final Thoughts
Transitioning into management is a journey—one that requires continuous learning, self-awareness, and adaptability. By shifting your mindset, improving communication, delegating wisely, and motivating your team, you’ll become not just a manager, but a great leader.
Now it’s your turn: What’s one leadership challenge you’re currently facing? Drop a comment below!