Shake Things Up: Fostering Experimentation as a First Time Manager

Think back to the most innovative idea you’ve ever seen—was it the result of playing it safe? Probably not.

Great ideas, new processes, and better ways of working don’t just appear; they emerge from trial, error, and a willingness to experiment. Yet, many first time managers feel the pressure to stick to the status quo, afraid that making a mistake will reflect poorly on them.

But here’s the reality: The best leaders don’t just manage tasks—they encourage innovation. Your role isn’t just to ensure work gets done; it’s to challenge the norm, test new ideas, and create an environment where learning from failure is embraced.

Here’s how you can build an experimental mindset within your team.

Create a Safe Space for Experimentation

The pressure to “get everything right” can feel overwhelming, but perfection isn’t the goal—progress is. The best managers create an environment where it’s safe to try, fail, and learn.

How?

✅ Normalise failure as part of the learning process
✅ Lead by example—share your own experiences with trial and error
✅ Shift the mindset from “failure is bad” to “failure helps us grow”

When mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, your team will feel more confident in taking calculated risks and thinking outside the box.

Start Small with Micro-Experiments

Experimentation doesn’t have to mean massive changes. Start with small, low-risk adjustments that allow your team to test ideas without fear.

Try this:

🔹 Change the way meetings are structured
🔹 Test a new productivity tool for a week
🔹 Experiment with a different approach to giving feedback

When these small changes add up, they pave the way for bigger, more impactful innovations.

Encourage Bold Thinking

One of the biggest barriers to experimentation? People holding back their ideas. Many employees hesitate to share unconventional thoughts out of fear they won’t be taken seriously.

🔹 Make it a habit to celebrate all ideas—even the wild ones
🔹 Create brainstorming sessions where every suggestion is heard and valued
🔹 Reinforce that there are no bad ideas—just opportunities to refine and improve

When employees feel comfortable voicing their thoughts, game-changing innovations can emerge.

Reflect, Learn, and Improve

Every experiment—whether successful or not—offers valuable lessons. The best teams reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and how to improve next time.

Ask yourself and your team:

🔹 What did we learn from this experiment?
🔹 How can we apply those lessons moving forward?
🔹 What could we tweak for even better results next time?

This cycle of trial, reflection, and improvement builds confidence and encourages continuous growth.

Why Experimentation Matters for New Managers

As a first time manager, embracing experimentation will help you:

✅ Build a team that’s open to innovation
✅ Foster a culture of trust and collaboration
✅ Lead with confidence, knowing that failure is just another step toward success

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