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10

CHALLENGES
THAT EVERY FIRST-TIME

MANAGER
WILL FACE
You recently got hired or promoted and you’re in 

a new role. How exciting!

It’s an exciting new challenge, but there will be


struggles, whether you like it or not.
The key more than anything is
to change your mindset and get
into a new way of approaching
work.

Here are 10 challenges that


every new manager (including
you) will face.
1

Failure To Set Clear Goals 



And Expectations

Lack of clarity on the job causes


confusion between employees
and their manager, leading to
disappointment on both sides.
1
TIP
Our Guide To Setting Goals 

Can Help You With This:

GET THE GUIDE


Poor Time Management

In addition to managing your


own tasks, you have to manage
an entire team, putting out fires
and dealing with their
problems.
TIP

Block time off on your own calendar. Make it clear


to employees that there are certain times that are
only for you.
Unclear Or Inconsistent
Communication

Employees need to know that


they can trust what you’re saying
to be true.
TIP

Work on your messaging, make it as crystal clear


as possible.
Pressure To Perform

You were just given an


incredible opportunity and
now you want to show that
you were worth it.
TIP

Just relax. Rome wasn’t built in a day.


Shifting From Coworker To Boss

Picture this – you’re close with your


coworkers and suddenly you’re
promoted to being their manager,
you’re no longer “one of them.”
TIP

You need to learn how to separate work from


friendship. There’s a time and place for both.
Hiring

Hiring is tough. Hiring is


especially tough for new
managers that have never
done this before.
TIP

Use a structured interview, where candidates


are asked the same set of questions with specific
ways of evaluating the responses.
Firing

Firing is a tough thing to do


for anyone. It’s a very
sensitive issue that takes a lot
of emotion.
TIP

Try your best to make it a team decision. If you meet


with your team regularly one-on-one, you’ll be able to
get a sense of who works well and who doesn’t.
Solving Other People’s Problems

You’re part manager, part


psychologist. Inevitably, you’ll
start receiving complaints from
employees and start having to
deal with their problems.
TIP

Attack any issue early on before it becomes a serious


problem. Monthly one-on-ones can be a great way to
make sure a problem doesn’t last for too long.
Getting The Team To Be
Productive

Everyone is different, requires


different levels of attention,
and works in different ways.
TIP

Create an environment that’s good for everyone. Some


people like working later, some earlier, some people like
being told what to do, some people like being left alone.
Not Asking For Help

Many first-time managers will


want to prove that they don’t
need any help – big mistake.
TIP

Don’t be shy to ask around for help. Do whatever


it takes to make you and your team the best!
Most of these challenges are internal, 

meaning only you can fix them.
ENGAGE YOUR TEAM
View the State of Employee Engagement, a real-time report
with tons of helpful tips for managers to engage their teams.

See The Live Report


TIPS TO ENSURE
SUCCESS
AS A NEW MANAGER
1

CHANGE
YOUR
FOCUS
In your old role as an employee, your number one focus
was on accomplishing your tasks. Now, your number
one focus is on helping others accomplish their tasks.
2

LEARN
A LOT
- Use monthly one-on-ones to learn more about your team
- Go to networking events to learn more about your job
and connect with others
- Be active in Linkedin groups to learn more about your
industry.
3

TAKE
YOUR
TIME
Take the time to fully understand the dynamics of the
team. Be patient, you’ll get there eventually.
4

FIND A
MENTOR

Find someone who’s been there before 



and pick their brain.
DO YOU WANT TO BE
A BETTER
LEADER?
Sign up for our free 11-day
email course

START THE COURSE


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THESE SLIDESHARES:
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