From Peer to Leader: 23 Steps I Wish I Knew for My First Management Role

Stepping into a leadership role for the first time is a moment filled with equal parts excitement and uncertainty. It is a huge transition in responsibilities and a shift in your working rhythms; no longer is it just your output to consider. Now you must also be a decision-maker, a guide and mentor for your team’s career growth, and a manager of their emotional wellbeing at the same time.

However, there is frequently no training at all for this enormous responsibility! Perhaps the best way to learn is on the job, but I believe that guidance can assist this significant step up in the workplace.

In this article, I will explore my own leadership journey and suggest 23 lessons I have learned over my years as a manager. I hope that they might help you too.

The Promotion

I vividly remember the day I was promoted to Sales Controller (Commercial Finance Manager) at Colgate Palmolive. Suddenly, the colleagues who were once my peers became my direct reports. It was a significant transition, marking the beginning of a journey that would profoundly shape my approach to leadership and team management.

The Journey of Leadership                                                 

Leadership, I’ve come to understand, is a journey rather than a destination. My path from that initial role at Colgate Palmolive to holding leadership positions in large corporations, and eventually founding and growing my own business, has been both challenging and rewarding.

This journey allowed me to impact the lives of hundreds of team members, learn from both successes and failures, and evolve into a caring, focused, and fearless leader. The most transformative aspect of this journey was shifting from a mindset focused on “me” to one centered on “us,” acknowledging and valuing the individual contributions of each team member I had the honour to work with.

Looking back, I recognise my naivety in those early days. Despite being surrounded by exemplary role models; I see areas where I could have performed better. But, as with any journey, the initial steps are just the beginning. Continuous improvement is possible with belief, perseverance, and intentionality.

Here are 23 lessons I learned during my leadership journey:

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”

– Theodore Roosevelt

1. Be confident: Trust in your abilities and the decision that led to your promotion.
2. Clarify expectations: Fully understand what is expected in your new role and how it contributes to the organisation’s goals.
3. Assess your department: Evaluate team dynamics, processes, and performance to identify immediate areas for improvement.
4. Create a 90-day plan: Develop a detailed action plan for your first three months to set clear goals and success metrics.
5. Craft and share a vision: A compelling vision can unite and motivate your team towards common objectives.
6. Set objectives with the team: Collaboratively setting goals ensures alignment with organisational objectives.
7. Identify early changes: Determine necessary early adjustments and additional support needed to achieve goals.
8. Care personally: Build meaningful relationships with each team member, understanding their unique circumstances and career aspirations.
9. Build trust: Establish trust through consistent, transparent, and reliable actions.
10. Be on the detail: Understand the specifics of your team’s work to provide valuable support and guidance.
11. Manage stress: Lead by example in managing stress and fostering a positive work environment.
12. Navigate difficult conversations: Master the art of handling challenging discussions with empathy and clarity.
13. Encourage failure as growth: Promote a culture where risk-taking is safe and failure is seen as an opportunity for learning.
14. Listen actively: Ensure every team member feels heard and valued by practicing active listening.
15. Give credit: Acknowledge and appreciate individual and team achievements, reinforcing a success-oriented culture.
16. Approach with a spirit of service: Prioritise supporting and guiding your team, facilitating their success.
17. Set the example: Lead by example in all aspects of your work and behavior.
18. Dress for success: Present yourself in a manner that reflects your role and professionalism.
19. Communication rhythm: Establish regular one-on-one and team meetings to maintain alignment, feedback, and connection.
20. The power of feedback: Use constructive feedback as a tool for individual and team growth.
21. Seek mentorship: Leverage the experience and insights of seasoned leaders to enhance your own leadership journey.
22. Measure success with KPIs: Implement key performance indicators to track progress and adjust strategies as needed.
23. Communicate traction or delay early: Be proactive in sharing updates on progress towards goals, allowing for timely adjustments.

Leadership is a continuous journey of learning, growing, and adapting. The lessons from my early days in leadership to the present have been invaluable, teaching me the importance of empathy, vision, and resilience. To those embarking on their leadership journey, embrace every experience as an opportunity to learn and grow. And remember, the transition from “me” to “us” is the essence of impactful leadership.                                                       

Do you have any first-time leadership experiences you’d like to share? Perhaps you have some advice you wish you knew at the start of your journey? Join the conversation by leaving a comment, and together let’s foster a community of learning and growth.