First-time managers: step into leadership with confidence 

Taking on your first management role is a career milestone worth celebrating. But it also comes with challenges: from demonstrating your leadership potential to navigating self-doubt. 
 

Recognise your leadership experience

Even if you haven’t held a formal management title before, you may have mentored or helped train junior colleagues, led projects, or influenced key decisions without direct authority.

Think about the impact you’ve had in these situations. Did you improve efficiency, have a positive impact on the success of a project, or help others develop? These examples show that you’re prepared to step into leadership. Reflecting on these experiences will give you confidence and help you articulate your leadership capabilities when others ask about your journey.

A key priority for strategy makers is to develop future leaders, according to our 2026 Salary & Recruiting Trends guide, so now is the time to consider where your abilities can meet this demand – and keep your career progressing.

Understand your new team

Self-belief as a manager comes from more than just what you know; it’s also developed through the trust you build with others. Taking time to understand your team members’ strengths, motivations and challenges – as well as on a more personal level – creates a foundation of respect and collaboration. Showing emotional intelligence and treating others with the same respect you’d hope to receive helps strengthen this foundation, building empathy and fairness into your leadership. It’s unlikely that your efforts will go unnoticed. And when people feel valued and supported, they’re more likely to be engaged when you’re leading them – which can be a powerful confidence booster.

Manage imposter syndrome

Almost two-thirds (64%) of professionals have, at some point in their careers, faced feelings of imposter syndrome: the nagging doubt that you’re not skilled, qualified or competent enough to be doing your current role, even worrying that others may ‘find you out.’ Close to half (44%) said these feelings of inadequacy become more frequent as their career has progressed, signalling that senior professionals could be even more susceptible.

For first-time managers, these feelings can be especially common. While you may not be able to eliminate them entirely, you can counteract them by seeking regular feedback from your boss or mentor, keeping a record of your achievements to remind yourself of progress, and connecting with other new managers to normalise the challenges. Remember, you were chosen for this role because others saw your potential, and self-belief will grow with experience.

Seek mentorship

Mentorship is often seen as something reserved for junior professionals, but it’s just as powerful for first-time managers. A traditional mentor – someone more experienced – can share lessons learned and help you overcome challenges. Equally valuable is reverse mentorship, where you learn from those who are less experienced in management but who bring fresh insights into technology, culture or new ways of working. Both forms of mentorship can help to build confidence by showing you that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about being open to guidance and growth.

Shaping your leadership path

Becoming a first-time manager can be both exciting and daunting. But by recognising your existing leadership experience, managing self-doubt, seeking mentorship and building strong relationships with your team, you’ll lay the foundation for a successful leadership journey.

Looking to explore management job opportunities? Start searching our live roles today.

And take a look at our 2026 Salary & Recruiting Trends guide – Leadership Insights to discover the trends and strategic priorities shaping the year ahead, giving you the data and expert insights needed to make confident decisions in a rapidly evolving landscape.