If you’ve recently stepped into a management role, first of all—congratulations! It’s a big milestone and a meaningful vote of confidence in your leadership potential. But let’s be honest: transitioning into management can feel overwhelming. You’re learning to lead others while still trying to find your own footing.
At Horizon Point, we’ve worked with many new (and seasoned) managers over the past few years, and we’ve also navigated our own leadership growth journey. We’ve learned that success in management doesn’t come from having all the answers—it comes from building strong relationships, being self-aware, and leaning into continuous learning. So, here are 5 tips for new managers, based on our experience with best practices and research.
5 Tips for New Managers
1. Know the difference between leading and managing
At Horizon Point, we talk a lot about the distinction between leading and managing. Both are important, but they serve different purposes. In Are You Leading or Just Managing?, we explore this tension and how we balance it.
Managing is about organizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and maintaining systems. Leading is about casting vision, guiding people through change, and inspiring others to grow. New managers often default to managing—because it feels more concrete—but leadership is where you build real influence.
This idea ties closely to the concept of adaptive leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School, which encourages leaders to mobilize people to tackle tough challenges and thrive in changing environments. If you’re managing tasks but not yet inspiring people, that’s a great place for us to help you start growing.
2. Make empathy your default
We can’t say this enough: empathy matters. Not just in big, emotional moments, but in everyday interactions. When we lead with empathy, we create the kind of trust and safety that allows people to do their best work.
In Caring About Someone You Can’t See, we shared our thoughts on leading with empathy even in remote or hybrid settings. The lesson holds true no matter where your team works: people want to feel seen, heard, and supported. In these 5 tips for new managers, empathy is probably the single most important.
Research backs this up. A study from the National Institutes of Health found that empathy in the workplace improves communication, boosts job satisfaction, and strengthens team dynamics. So, slow down. Ask questions. Really listen. Your team will notice.
3. Build a solid foundation of leadership basics
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel—just make sure you’ve got the fundamentals in place. In our Basics of Leadership Course, we walk through the core building blocks: empowerment, delegation, and personal leadership.
Empowerment means giving people ownership and trust. Delegation means assigning work that stretches their skills (not just clearing your to-do list). Personal leadership means modeling the behavior you expect from others.
The Center for Creative Leadership has a great model for the “Fundamental 4”, specifically including self-awareness. If you can get that part right, you’re already ahead of the curve.
4. Don’t skip your one-on-ones
One of the most effective tools in a manager’s toolkit is the regular one-on-one meeting. And yet, it’s one of the easiest things to let slide when you’re busy.
At Horizon Point, we’re big believers in meaningful conversations. Our talent development work often centers around communication, and one-on-ones are a powerful way for us to stay connected with our team.
These meetings aren’t just for status updates—they’re for listening, coaching, and relationship-building. Try asking:
- “What’s going well right now?”
- “What’s one thing we can do to support you?”
- “Is anything getting in your way?”
According to Gallup research, employees who have regular check-ins with their managers are more engaged, more productive, and more likely to stay. It’s a small time investment with a big return.
Try me!
Need help getting started?
Try the One-on-One card deck from Unstuck Box! We wrote about this resource and others from Unstuck Box in a recent blog.
5. Use storytelling to lead through change
This might sound unexpected, but one of the best ways for us to lead is through stories. In The Crossover of Adaptive Leadership and Storytelling, we talk about how storytelling helps teams navigate change, connect to purpose, and make meaning out of uncertainty.
When we’re coaching on tips for new managers, we often encourage them to share their own leadership stories. What challenges have shaped you? What lessons have you learned the hard way? Those moments can become powerful teaching tools for your team.
The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley backs this up—storytelling activates empathy and helps people retain information. So don’t be afraid to tell your story.
Bonus tip for new managers
If you’re a new manager, give yourself grace. This is a season of growth and learning—and you don’t have to do it alone. At Horizon Point, we believe leadership is about relationships, and that starts with us showing up for our team (and ourselves) with curiosity, humility, and heart. Practice these 5 tips for new managers, and see what works for you and what doesn’t. There is no one-size-fits-all in leadership.
If you’re looking for more resources or would like to talk about training and development for new managers, reach out. We’d love to support you on your journey.
