There Are No “Great” First-Time Managers
In most cases, a first-time manager started out as a strong individual-contributor.
They consistently met their goals, set the standard for how their role should be approached, and were a strategic thought partner with others in the organization.
The logical next step? Being promoted to lead a team of their own.
That’s when things change.
Their engagement starts slipping, their quality of work takes a nosedive, and in some cases a direct report or two leaves the organization. What happened to the star employee? Is it possible promoting them was a mistake?
It happens everywhere
I came to ADVISA as a Project Specialist in 2021 after a rough year at my former organization.
There were many reasons why I was not a cultural fit for that previous role, but a major factor was my relationship with my manager. I was their first direct report, and it became very clear in our time working together that they had never been given the skills to actually manage another human.
It was unfair to both of us – they weren’t set up for success, and I suffered as a result. After a year of frustration, it was time for me to move on.
Of the many reasons why someone may not feel like a cultural fit, often it’s the relationship with their manager.
ADVISA has continued to grow in recent years, and that has meant the creation of new teams and management positions. I was tapped to lead our Project Management Team – a group that grew from one person in 2021 to four in 2024. Given my past experiences, I knew the stakes at hand, even as I was excited to take on this new challenge.
Bridge the skills gap
It may be a bit of an exaggeration to say there are truly no great first-time managers, but the transition from individual contributor to first-time management is a huge adjustment no matter who you are.
First-time managers often come from roles where their success was measured by personal achievements. In their new role, the focus shifts to team performance – requiring skills in delegation, communication, and conflict resolution.
While many of these skills feel like common sense to veteran leaders, something as simple as drafting a team meeting agenda can feel overwhelming to a first-time manager. In some cases, they may not even realize the need for a meeting agenda.
Providing targeted training and mentorship helps bridge this skills gap, enabling new managers to lead effectively and confidently. For me, that meant participating in ADVISA’s Leadership Fundamentals program. I had the opportunity learn new management skills and spend time practicing, receiving feedback, and creating actionable plans to apply them on the job.
Be somewhere people love to work
The support I have received in becoming a first-time manager is one of the many reasons I love working at ADVISA. Intentionally investing in your first-time leaders is beneficial in every direction. It ensures the leader in question feels supported and confident in their new role. It takes stress off higher-level leaders, allowing them to focus on strategy knowing their teams are set up for success. Most importantly, it means first-time managers can build meaningful and healthy relationships with their direct reports, which is a key factor in employee retention.
The support I have received in becoming a first-time manager is one of the many reasons I love working at ADVISA.
Good leadership relies on strong systems. Intentionally investing in first-time managers makes consistently strong leadership a system to be maintained vs. an ideal to strive for. There was never any question that I would receive additional support and training when stepping into my role as a first-time manager, and that’s why I knew I wouldn’t be reliving my negative experiences at my last organization.
I do believe it is incredibly rare for someone to be a great first-time manager, but I know the best way to set someone up for success is to ensure they have access to resources that make the transition from their individual role to leading others easier to navigate.
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Leadership and organization culture go hand in hand. If this topic interests you, check out 3 Common Pain Points We Hear from Clients or Leadership Coaching is for ALL Leaders.
Do you know someone who could use some training for first-time managers? You can learn more about ADVISA’s Leadership Fundamentals here.