The New Manager Cheat Sheet Your Guide to Becoming a Superstar Leader

1. THE NEW
MANAGER
Cheat Sheet
When in Doubt, think about:
“Would my people hire me to be
their leader because of the difference
I make to them?” –Alan Fine
DO DON’T
YOUR GUIDE
to Becoming a
SUPERSTAR LEADER
When You’re the New Kid on The Block
KEEP DOING WHAT
YOU’VE ALWAYS DONE
Your new role is to enable others
to do the work, not do it all yourself.
TRY TOO HARD
Exerting newfound authority and making
knee-jerk decision can be disastrous. Pump the
brakes while you gather the facts.
TALK SO MUCH
The strength and ingenuity of people’s ideas
might surprise you if you listen more and
talk less.
MISS OUT ON QUICK WINS
Is there an annoying meeting you
can eliminate? Good news you can
deliver? It’s important to start
quickly and from a positive place.
OVERLOOK THE SMALL STUFF
As you share your overarching vision and
direction, keep expectations practical and
recognize how work really gets done.
BE AFRAID TO
MAKE MISTAKES
Look at your missteps as learning
opportunities. Take a deep breath
and determine what to do
differently next time.
HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS
Coach others to solve their own problems
rather than rescuing them. When they own the
solution they’ll get to action much more quickly.
LIST THE THINGS
YOU DON'T KNOW
Identify your knowledge gaps
and shift your mindset to an
attitude of inquiry.
SHARE WHERE YOU ARE STUCK
Let people know your limitations upfront. Being
honest about strengths and weaknesses
diffuses anxiety and creates trust.
ASK QUESTIONS
Your new value comes from
asking the right questions and
letting others offer up the answers.
GET TO KNOW PEOPLE
What your team thinks about you matters.
Stop hiding behind email and socialize!
MAKE TIME TO STRATEGIZE
Resist the temptation to get caught up in the
crisis of the moment. Set aside time every day
to focus and plan.
REMEMBER—IT’S
NOT ABOUT YOU
The best manager is a selfless
manager. Keep the focus on
your team’s success.
BELIEVE IN EACH
PERFORMER’S POTENTIAL
People often rise to your expectations.
If you expect creativity, innovation, and
accountability then you’re more likely to get it.
TIPS
Create Strong
Connections
Schedule weekly 1:1s, whether
in-person or remotely
Practice SayDoCo. Say what you’ll
do, do what you say, communicate
when you can’t
Learn How to Give
Effective Feedback
Ask open-ended questions; avoid
any question that can be answered
with a “yes” or “no”
Let the other person talk first and
more often
Prepare for Tough
Conversations
Write down the conversation and
any and all possible responses
Practice what you might say with a
trusted colleague
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SOURCES: New Managers: Embrace Your Rookie Status Harvard Business Review, October 2015
5 Things New Managers Get Wrong, U.S. News and World Report, September 2015
The 7 Common (And Totally Avoidable) Mistakes New Managers Make, Fast Company, September 2014