WTF Do I Do Now?
A No-Panic Guide for First-Time Managers
TL;DR
You just got promoted—congrats!
Also: yikes.
Maybe you had a great manager before who gave you the tools to succeed. But then again, maybe no one handed you a playbook, and suddenly you’re supposed to coach, lead, set expectations, and maybe still do your old job on top of it? Cool cool cool.
This post is your no-fluff, no-theory starting point: what to do in the first week as a manager so your team doesn’t panic, your boss doesn’t wonder if you’re in over your head, and you don’t cry in a supply closet (yet).
On day one of your new role, it’s important for your team to know who will be leading them and what they can expect. You don’t need a motivational speech. You need a short, clear message that says:
Here’s who I am
I’m here to support you
I’m learning about you first, acting second
If you're looking for a checklist, some conversation starters, and permission to not have it all figured out, you’re in the right place.
👉 Keep reading to get the full breakdown in my subscriber-only section: Day-one priorities will kick everything off. The next up post will help you plan your first 1:1’s along with sample scripts and performance trackers. Subsequent posts will cover meeting with stakeholders and your manager, creating the first draft of your objectives, and how to get a small win for your new team. As a little bonus, I’ll give you the three questions that instantly make you sound like you know what you’re doing (even if you don’t—yet).
About Us
We’re a group of leaders and individual contributors that have worked in various management roles throughout our careers. We’ve coached large teams and small teams. We’ve trained new hires and experienced professionals. We’ve recruited, interviewed, and hired dozens of talented people, and then taught them how to succeed. We’re here to share our experience in a professional yet informal way. The job should be fun. If it’s not, let’s find out what needs to change!
The Delta Shift Dispatch
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deltashiftdispatch@substack.com