MGMT Fundamentals - Foundational Skills for New Managers

Understand your new value creation model: impact through others, not just your individual contributions

Create space in your calendar by saying "no" strategically and protecting your team from administrative burden

Build self-awareness of your strengths and blind spots to lead authentically and supplement where you struggle

Co-author expectations that define both the "what" (goals) and the "how" (process, culture, quality standards)

Establish clear performance metrics so your team can self-assess progress without constant check-ins

Prevent 90% of misalignment by documenting expectations upfront, not discovering them through failure

Make it their meeting, not yours—empower your team to drive the agenda and own their area of responsibility

Use a simple dashboard framework to track goals, wins, problems, people, and growth in every conversation

Show command of your area by asking the right questions and removing blockers that slow your team down

Apply the "When you / I experienced / That resulted in" framework to make feedback specific and actionable

Balance positive reinforcement with constructive feedback to help people catch themselves winning

Build trust through consistent, small feedback moments rather than waiting for formal reviews or crises

Use the "What, Who, When & Why" framework to delegate strategically based on development and team capacity

Distinguish between tasks, processes, and responsibilities to delegate at the right level for maximum impact

Establish oversight through metrics and check-ins, not micromanagement, so you stay informed without hovering

Manufacture trust quickly through shared purpose, mutual accountability, and valuing each person's contribution

Manage up by bringing solutions not surprises, showing command of your area, and reducing cognitive load

Navigate conflict productively by zooming out to find alignment before diving into tactical disagreements