Supporting Leadership and Management Development at Every Stage
At Aim Higher Training, we often see capable and ambitious individuals being promoted into management roles because they excel in their current job. But being a great manager requires more than technical excellence; it demands a whole new set of people-focused skills.
And all too often, new managers are left to figure it out on their own.
They excel in their previous roles and gain promotion.
They’re smart. They’re motivated. They want to do well.
But they’re given no roadmap. No support. No training.
Just the new job title and the expectation that they’ll work it out.
Personal Experience
This all sounds too familiar and was certainly my experience in my first team leader role. I wanted to do well and was highly motivated to do so. However, the business was disorganised and chaotic, lacking leadership from the top, and policies and procedures were either poor or non-existent.
The challenges were exacerbated by resistance to change from most areas within the business. It was undoubtedly a minefield. However, without a roadmap, I had to go with my instincts and seek advice and guidance from everyone I knew who’d trod a similar path.
I didn’t yet have the vocabulary or understanding that in doing so, I was seeking mentorship and guidance. Ultimately, I found a coach who helped me craft a coping mechanism for the high levels of stress and inevitable conflicts I dealt with. I also studied Management with the Open University and gained key theoretical knowledge to help me become an effective manager.
Why First-Time Managers Struggle
The transition into management is one of the biggest shifts someone will make in their career. And yet it’s frequently treated as a minor adjustment.
Here’s what we consistently hear from new managers:
- They’ve been promoted for their technical skills, not their people skills
- They’ve never had great managers themselves, so they don’t know what ‘good’ looks like
- They’re now managing former peers and find it hard to lead without straining their relationships
- They’re unsure how to delegate, give feedback, or handle conflict effectively
- They’re still holding on to their previous workload, unsure how to balance priorities
- They want to lead well, but they have no real idea how
These are not personal shortcomings; they’re signs of a system that hasn’t equipped them to lead.
Why It Matters
When first-time managers are unsupported, the cost is more than individual frustration. It impacts:
Business Performance
- Productivity dips as managers focus on tasks instead of leading their teams
- Disengagement grows, resulting in higher turnover and performance issues
- HR spends more time firefighting than enabling growth
Organisational Culture
- Lack of feedback and direction affects team morale
- Avoidance of conflict leads to dysfunction
- Unhealthy habits become embedded and harder to unlearn
What Makes the Difference
The good news? It doesn’t take much to get this right; just a few thoughtful, well-timed interventions can create a confident, capable first-time manager.
Here’s what helps:
- A structured onboarding process into management
- Clarity on role expectations, helping them to understand what to do
- A mentor or coach for regular check-ins
- Practical, spaced-out training that builds confidence over time
- A peer network to share challenges and insights
- Safe and supportive feedback loops that encourage reflection and improvement
None of this is complex or costly, but it does require intention.
The Skills That Really Matter
Our Management and Coaching Programme supports first-time managers to develop the essential skills they need to thrive:
- Authenticity: Leading with integrity and confidence, even when managing former peers
- Communication: Setting expectations, giving constructive feedback, managing difficult conversations
- Resilience: Handling pressure, staying calm under stress, and managing emotional responses
- Future Focus: Delegating, prioritising, and aligning team efforts with business goals
- Transformation: Coaching others, developing team culture, and managing change
Through a blend of one-on-one coaching, blended learning, and real-world application, we help new managers make a confident and capable transition into leadership.
‘After taking this course, I have now been promoted to a Team Leader, nothing says more knowledgeable than a promotion within the business.’
Sally, Management Diploma Learner
We’d Love to Help
Whether you’re an HR leader, L&D professional, or team head looking to support first-time managers in your organisation, we’re here to help.
Our Management and Coaching Programme is designed to make a real, lasting impact. Not just on individual performance, but on team culture, leadership capacity, and business growth.
- Get in touch today to explore how we can tailor a solution for your team.
- Visit: aimhighertraining.com
- Email: [email protected]