The #1 Thing I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Manager

"Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader, they set out to make a difference."

– Jeremy Bravo

Playing Time Traveler

Do you ever play the time traveler game? You know, where you daydream about going back in time to change one decision, offer yourself advice, or deliver that perfect one-liner you missed?

I do.

One of my big inflection points was becoming a first-time manager. And while I’m not one for rehashing regrets (or unfinished business), there is one thing I’d tell my younger self.

But here’s the kicker—this newsletter? It’s my time machine. Maybe I can’t go back and fix my past, but I can drop some knowledge on you, here in the present, to help shape your future.

So, let’s hop back to 2016 when I became District Sales Manager. That moment was equal parts exciting and terrifying. I’ve shared some experiences from that time in earlier newsletters, but this time I want to dig into the feeling of it all. Especially for those of you who are facing a similar inflection point in your own leadership journey.

As a rookie manager, I had something to prove. (Sound familiar?) I had doubters who didn’t think I could lead a team. And I spent too much energy trying to look like “the perfect DSM” rather than focusing on what the team really needed. It was selfish, but necessary for me to realize that leadership isn’t about projecting your greatness—it’s about harnessing the greatness of the team in front of you.

Lucky for me, it didn’t take long to realize that my focus needed to shift—fast. My team needed development, mentorship, and, most importantly, for me to serve them. And once I shifted gears from “making myself look good” to “making my team look good,” everything clicked.

So, if you’re a first-time manager, full of energy and ambition, here’s what I’d tell you in my imaginary time machine. It’s the advice I wish I had back then, delivered straight to your inbox.

My 11 Tips for First-Time Managers:

1. Learn how your company actually works.
   How it makes money, how it loses money, and how your team fits into the whole machine. Know the engine before you try driving it.

2. Own your role—and teach your team to own theirs.
   Ownership is about accountability, and if you don’t model it, don’t expect your team to step up.

3. Challenge your team, then support them.
   Avoid handing out “hall passes” when the going gets tough. People grow through discomfort—lead them through it.

4. Have those conversations.
   Don’t shy away from the hard talks. Constructive feedback is best served in the moment, not after things go sideways.

5. Be realistic with targets.
   Don’t overpromise just to impress. Remember, if you fail, your team takes the hit too

6. Find common ground.
   Whether it’s with a peer or a team member, this is where real leadership happens.

7. Know when to fight for your team—and when to push back on them.
   It’s a balancing act, and it won’t always be pretty.

8. Embrace failure as long as there’s a lesson in it.
   No sugar-coating. If it happens, learn from it and move forward.

9. Get comfortable with saying “no,” “yes,” and “I don’t know.”
   That last one will earn you more credibility than you think.

10. Master the art of authenticity.
    Be real, but don’t spill everything. Guard your cards when necessary.

And here’s a personal favorite

11. Document the good stuff.

Not just the bad! Good record-keeping will save you from future headaches.

Closing Thoughts

"If you think you’re leading, but no one is following, then you’re only taking a walk."

– John Maxwell

Truth be told, I’m still working on some of these myself. Leadership is messy, and until Doc and Marty invent a real time machine, this is the best I can offer. 😉

But if you take these lessons to heart, you’ll be on the way to nailing the most thrilling (and sometimes terrifying) part of your career—managing people.

You’ve got this.