3 Secrets Every New Manager Needs to Know

Every manager faces the same challenges. Here’s how you can jump in ahead of the curve

Speaking at an HR conference (Image by the author)

I’ve trained hundreds of managers in my job as Director of Learning & Development (L&D).

And if you’re a new or aspiring manager, I have some good news for you: every new manager struggles with the same few things, so if you know those issues when you start, you’ll have a huge leg up.

Here are three secrets I wish every leader knew when they began managing their first team:

Secret #1 — You shouldn’t lead the same way your manager did

It’s natural to think you need to copy the style of whatever boss(es) you had previously. But what worked for your boss almost certainly won’t work for you because you’re a different person than they are.

For example, maybe your past boss was someone who made a lot of snap judgment decisions and acted quickly. That may have worked for them, but if you’re a slow processor who prefers to evaluate decisions from every angle, you’ll never be successful if you try to copy their style.

Leadership is a process of self-exploration. The better you know yourself as a person…