5 New Manager Basics for Being an Effective Leader

Get the New Manager Basics Right
Data from people manager assessment centers shows that only 25% of employees feel their companies effectively support individuals transitioning into their first managerial roles. That is not surprising given that 85% receive no management development prior to switching into the role of manager.  Even seasoned managers can benefit from revisiting the fundamentals — taking stock of current practices and reflecting on leadership effectiveness. Improvement comes from adopting a more thoughtful, situational approach to leadership — one that adapts to the needs of your team, context, and organizational goals.

5 New Manager Basics
Just as you expect your team to continuously raise their performance, hold yourself to the same standard as a manager. How effectively are you mastering these five essential new manager basics?

1. Set Crystal Clear Expectations
   As a manager, it’s your responsibility to ensure every employee clearly understands what is expected — both in terms of results (doing) and behaviors (being). Each team member should know their role, their focus areas, and how their work aligns with broader company strategy and cultural norms.

   You’ll know you’re on the right track when your team can confidently explain not only their goals, roles, responsibilities, interdependencies, and success metrics but also how their contributions drive overall company success.

   This level of strategic clarity empowers your team to prioritize effectively, make better decisions, manage conflicts, and allocate resources efficiently.

2. Communicate Clearly and Frequently
   Once strategy, goals, and roles are clear, your next priority as a new supervisor is ensuring the timely flow of information. Our organizational alignment research shows that information flow ranks fourth in correlation with revenue growth, profitability, customer retention, and employee engagement.

   At a minimum, make sure your team feels well-informed about company developments, has the resources and information needed to excel, and believes their ideas are heard and acted upon. Never underestimate the power of clear, two-way communication — it’s critical for engaging and retaining top talent.

3. Be Open-Minded
   As a new supervisor, staying open to new ideas makes it far more likely you’ll actually hear them — especially from front-line employees who see firsthand where small adjustments can drive big improvements.

   Take the time to listen to your team, consider their feedback, and remain flexible — ready to embrace a better way of doing things when the situation calls for it.

4. Don’t Avoid Dealing with Conflict
   Workplace conflict can arise from many sources — from interpersonal tensions to compensation disputes. Effective managers address conflict directly, fairly, and promptly. Allowing issues to fester only makes them worse. Listen attentively and empathetically, then take decisive action to resolve the situation.
5. Set Aside Time to Plan and Reflect
   If you are like most new managers, you’re expected to be both a player — getting work done — and a coach — developing and leading your team. Yet without setting aside time to plan for the future and reflect on what’s working and what’s not, it’s unlikely you’ll elevate your team’s performance.

   Effective managers learn from mistakes, balance daily tactical demands with strategic priorities, and consistently keep the bigger picture in mind while thinking ahead.

The Bottom Line
To maximize success, new manager training should focus on core competencies: setting clear expectations, communicating effectively, staying open-minded, managing conflict, and practicing reflective leadership. Research shows that managers who master these basics drive higher team productivity, stronger employee engagement, and better alignment with organizational goals.

To learn more new manager basics, download 5 Management Misperceptions that Slip Up Too Many Rising Stars