"Don't Isolate Yourself" and Other Advice For First-Time Managers

The switch from being an individual contributor to a team leader can be challenging, particularly if your new role also includes managing sideways or up. Seasoned managers share lessons about their biggest successes and failures to help those who are less experienced build confidence. Some of their advice has a common thread. Don't isolate yourself: It is far too easy to become consumed by your work when you are first leading a team. Start developing a personal board of advisors - a group of three to five people who can act as a sounding board, listen objectively, and provide you with unbiased advice when you need it most. Be a student of your craft: Your role as a manager is to enable performance through others, but it is important for you to first have a clear understanding of your business. Be skillfully candid: Strike the right balance between candor and care, especially during difficult conversations. State your intention upfront and have a positive intent. Be skeptical about advice: Be mindful of the guidance you seek or receive, asking yourself critical questions to separate the good from the bad. Take it easy on yourself: No one expects you to know everything from the get-go. So don't beat yourself up over it.