Turns out… I had to grow through it all.
There’s one memory that still stays in my memory from my early software career days. We hit a major bug close to a deadline. Most managers would’ve waited for updates for follow-ups.
But ours?
He sat with us till 11 PM, helping us debug the code, side by side.
He didn’t do it for applause.
He did it because he believed in showing up — especially when things got hard.
That night taught me something I carry even today:
People don’t follow authority. They follow example.
If you’re stepping into your first managerial role, here’s what really matters (beyond the KPIs and checklists):
🔍 Invest in Developing yourself
Before you manage anyone else, manage yourself.
Your clarity, discipline, and emotional balance are the invisible anchors your team leans on.
If you’re scattered, they’ll feel it. If you’re grounded, they’ll reflect it.
🗣️ 360 degree communication — Not Just the Top or Bottom
It’s easy to get caught between client calls and leadership meetings.
But don’t lose touch with your team in the process.
Keep your communication well-rounded — upwards, downwards, and sideways.
Good managers inform. Great ones connect.
🧩 Lead by example
You may not need to solve every issue hands-on, but don’t distance yourself from your core nature of business. I still prepare my powerpoint presentations.
Be present where it matters. Jump in when your team feels stuck.
Let them see that you’re not just a manager — you’re a teammate who’s walked the path and still remembers how it feels.
At the end of the day, your team doesn’t expect perfection.
They just want to know you care, you’re real, and you’re in it with them.
Trust isn’t built in big moments.
It’s built in quiet, difficult, consistent ones