The Unspoken Challenge of Becoming a Manager

Transitioning from individual contributor to manager is a pivotal moment in your career—and it's far more complex than most people realize.

The Path to Leadership

You've spent years:

  • Building subject matter expertise

  • Delivering reliable project execution

  • Being a stellar team player

Now, you've finally landed that coveted leadership role. But here's the catch: Most professionals rush into their new position without properly closing the previous chapter.

Why Most Leadership Transitions Fail

The typical transition looks like this:

  • Quick desk cleanup

  • Hasty handover

  • Immediate dive into new responsibilities

The result? A leadership approach riddled with:

  • Micromanagement

  • Trying to be the "expert" again

  • Focusing solely on personal work

  • Forgetting you now lead a team

The Real Transition Challenge: Saying Goodbye

The secret to a successful leadership transition isn't found in onboarding plans or training—it's in intentionally closing your previous role.

The Three As of Successful Transitions (inspired by Jay Shetty)

1. Acceptance: Embrace the Emotional Journey

Leadership transitions are emotionally complex:

  • Acknowledge feelings of sadness

  • Recognize confusion

  • Validate potential relief

  • Create space for emotional processing

2. Awareness: Understand the Broader Impact

Transition is never just about you:

  • Communicate openly with your team

  • Explain the "why" behind changes

  • Build trust through transparency

  • Show respect for past contributions

3. Action: Create Meaningful Closure

Tangible steps to close your chapter:

  • Host a reflective team meeting

  • Write appreciation notes

  • Celebrate team achievements

  • Symbolically mark the transition

Letting Go to Move Forward

Your new leadership role demands:

  • Releasing individual contributor mindset

  • Embracing team success over personal achievements

  • Shifting from doing to leading

  • Developing a collaborative leadership approach

Your Leadership Transformation Starts Here

Ready to navigate your leadership transition with intention and grace?

Book a Strategy Session Let's work together to transform your leadership journey. Professional coaching is available to guide you through this critical career shift.

(Post inspired by Colleen Krantz. Check out her newsletter GNT #98 for a deeper dive on better endings!)

(Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash)