Shake Things Up: Fostering Experimentation as a First Time Manager

Looking back, it’s clear how important experimentation is for new managers. When stepping into the role, fresh and eager to prove themselves, many quickly realise that managing a team isn’t just about ensuring tasks get done – it’s about finding new and better ways of doing them.

It’s not enough to follow the same routine or keep things status quo. Managers must encourage their teams to take risks, test new ideas, and become comfortable with uncertainty. Fostering a culture of experimentation is the key to unlocking creativity and growth.

Today, after guiding many teams through this process, it’s evident that experimentation isn’t just for scientists, tech companies, or innovative startups. It’s for every team, in every industry, especially for first time managers navigating their new roles. So how can you cultivate that experimental mindset within a team?

Creating a Safe Space for Experimentation

In the early days as a manager, there's often pressure to get everything right on the first try. But no one gets it right all the time. What matters more is creating an environment where it’s safe to fail and learn from those failures. By encouraging the team to try new things, even if they don’t work, managers give them the freedom to explore solutions without fear of blame.

Handled correctly, mistakes can become incredible learning opportunities. It’s about shifting the perspective from "failure is bad" to "failure helps us grow." Leading by example is crucial here. When things don’t go as planned, it’s important to discuss what was learned and show that experimenting - whether successful or not - is valued.

Start Small with Micro-Experiments

Introducing experimentation to a team works best when starting small. Not every experiment needs to involve a groundbreaking change. Sometimes, it’s as simple as tweaking how meetings are run or testing a new tool for communication.

These “micro-experiments” allow teams to figure out what works without overwhelming anyone. If something fails, it doesn’t derail the entire project; it simply provides insight for the next step. Starting with smaller, low-risk experiments builds the team’s confidence to take bigger leaps in the future.

Celebrating Creativity – Even the Crazy Ideas

A surprising challenge for many managers is how hesitant people can be to share unconventional ideas. Not everyone feels comfortable presenting something bold unless they know it will be heard and appreciated.

That’s why it’s important to celebrate every idea, no matter how crazy it sounds at first. Even if a suggestion isn’t implemented, discussing and valuing it fosters creativity. Over time, this approach encourages teams to propose bold ideas that might not have been considered before.

Reflect and Learn from Every Experiment

The real value in experimentation is the learning that happens, whether the idea succeeds or not. After every experiment, it’s essential to reflect. What worked? What didn’t? What could be done better next time? This continuous reflection helps refine approaches and avoid repeating mistakes.

It’s not about glossing over failures; it’s about digging into them and using those lessons to grow. The more teams learn, the more confident they become in taking risks, knowing that every experiment is a step toward success.

Why Experimentation Matters for New Managers

Fostering a culture of experimentation is one of the most impactful things a first time manager can do. It helps build a team that’s unafraid to push boundaries and find innovative solutions. More importantly, it creates a sense of trust and collaboration, where everyone feels invested in the team’s success.