Becoming a manager is exciting and empowering, but it can also feel a little overwhelming. Suddenly, you’re not just responsible for your own work but for guiding other people, having hard conversations, and keeping everything (and everyone) moving in the right direction.
If you’re feeling like no one handed you the instruction manual, you’re not alone.
But, half the battle isn’t knowing *exactly* what to do, but knowing what missteps to avoid. These are the 5 most common we see, and even better, we have a few tips to help you skip them on your new management journey.
1. Doing it all yourself.
It’s easy to fall into this one. You just got promoted, and you want to prove you can handle it. So you take on more, double-check everyone’s work, and jump in to fix things yourself. But the more you do, the less your team can grow, and the more you risk burning out.
Instead, try handing off tasks with clarity and confidence. Don’t just give people something to do; tell them why it matters, what success looks like, and that you trust them to figure it out. Let them surprise you.
2. Dodging hard conversations.
Nobody wakes up excited to have a tough talk. Whether it’s giving feedback, addressing conflict, or sharing disappointing news, it can feel easier to avoid the discomfort altogether. But silence doesn’t solve problems. It usually makes them worse.
The key is to approach conversations early and honestly. Speak with clarity and kindness. Ask questions. Stay calm. Most people don’t expect perfection, they just want transparency and respect.
3. Assuming people “just get it.”
You may think you’re being clear, but chances are your team could use more direction. New managers often assume people know what to do, how to do it, and when it’s due. But without clear expectations, things fall through the cracks.
Take a minute to spell it out. Who’s doing what, by when? What does a successful outcome actually look like? This simple shift saves everyone a ton of frustration and builds accountability across the board.
4. Forgetting that leadership is personal.
Managing people isn’t just about tasks and timelines, it’s about trust. And trust doesn’t come from your title. It comes from how you show up.
New managers sometimes focus so hard on getting things done, they forget to check in. But people want to feel seen. Learn what motivates your team. Ask how they’re doing. Show up with empathy, not just efficiency. A little human connection goes a long way.
5. Putting too much pressure on yourself.
This one’s sneaky. New managers often feel like they have to be perfect, like any mistake will prove they’re not cut out for the role. That kind of pressure can make you freeze, second-guess yourself, or avoid taking action altogether.
But the truth is that great managers aren’t perfect. They’re learners. They own their mistakes, stay curious, and keep showing up. You don’t have to get it all right. You just have to keep getting better.
Want Help Improving as a New Manager?
If you’re a new manager—or helping someone step into leadership for the first time—we’ve built a training pathway just for this moment. It’s packed with short, practical lessons on everything from delegation to feedback to emotional resilience.
It’s designed to help new leaders show up with clarity, courage, and confidence.
Take a look at the full New Manager Onboarding Pathway.
