When I stepped into my first management role, I felt a mix of pride, excitement, and sheer panic. I had been recognised for my hard work and promoted to lead a team, but within the first week, it hit me—I had no idea what I was doing. The skills that had made me successful as an individual contributor were not the same skills I needed as a manager.
If you’re a new manager, you might be feeling the same way. One day, you were part of the team, and now you’re leading it. It’s exhilarating, but also daunting. You might wonder, How do I make this transition? How do I lead people who were my peers just yesterday or a week ago?
The answer lies in making a critical mindset shift—from team player to team leader.
It's Not About Doing It All Yourself
As a team player, your value came from how well you executed your tasks. You were judged on your output, your efficiency, and your ability to deliver results. But as a manager, your success is no longer measured by what you do—it’s measured by what your team achieves.
This was a hard lesson for me. In my early days as a school administrator, I tried to do everything myself. I thought, If I can do it faster or better, why not just do it? But soon, I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and frustrated. Worse, my team felt demotivated because they weren’t trusted to handle responsibilities.
I realized that leadership is about empowering others. It’s about trusting your team to rise to the occasion, even if they stumble at first. Delegation isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength and confidence in your team’s abilities.
Your Perspective Needs to Expand
When you were part of the team, your focus was narrow—you worked on your tasks and contributed to the overall goals. But as a manager, you need to see the bigger picture.
Imagine this: you’re no longer a player on the field, but the coach on the sidelines. You’re not just responsible for individual plays; you’re responsible for the entire game strategy.
This means balancing short-term goals with long-term vision. It means thinking about how your team fits into the organisation’s mission and how you can align their efforts with those broader objectives.
In the book The Manager’s Companion, I talk about this shift in detail. One chapter explores how to move from task-focused thinking to strategic thinking. It’s not always easy, but it’s essential.
Relationships Change—And That’s Okay
If you’re managing people who were your peers, the dynamic will change. It has to, actually. You’re now in a position of authority, which means you’ll have to make tough decisions, give constructive feedback, and sometimes hold people accountable.
This was one of the trickiest parts of my transition. I wanted to be liked, and I avoided tough conversations because I didn’t want to upset anyone. But I quickly learned that being liked isn’t the same as being respected. Your team doesn’t need a friend—they need a leader who is fair, supportive, and firm when necessary.
You can still have great relationships with your team, but they’ll be different. And that’s not a bad thing.
Invest in Your Growth
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that leadership is a journey, not a destination. You won’t have all the answers right away, and that’s okay. What matters is that you’re willing to learn, adapt, and grow.
That’s why I wrote The Manager’s Companion. It’s the guide I wish I had when I started my management journey. It’s filled with practical advice, real-world examples, and tools to help you succeed.
If you’re feeling unsure about your new role, know this: You’re not alone, and you’re capable of growing into a great leader. It starts with a shift in mindset and a willingness to embrace the challenges and rewards of leadership.
So take a deep breath, step into this new chapter with confidence as you arm yourself with a copy of the book The Manager's Companion.
What’s your next step?
If this resonated with you, stay tuned for more insights from my new book The Manager’s Companion. Preorders are now open for the paperback print copies which will be released on the 14th of December 2024 to people in my home country, Nigeria. And if you order before December 10th, you’ll receive an exclusive free resource to help you hit the ground running in your new role.
Let’s go on this journey together. You’re on your way to becoming the leader your team needs. The ebook will be avialbe on my Slear shop as from this evening at www.selar.co/m/NancyEkpezu.
Click here to pre-order: https://selar.co/pre-order-the-manager's-companion-paperback-print-edition the paperback or click on either of the two images.
For more information about the book or preorder details, reach out via WhatsApp to +234-8035880367.