Staying On Top - High Performance As A First Time Manager

You’ve been promoted - well done! You’ve clearly been doing something right. Chances are, you got here because you consistently delivered results, solved problems, and became the person people could rely on. But now, your role has shifted. High performance isn’t just about your output anymore—it’s about the success of your entire team.

For many first time managers, this transition can feel like stepping onto a completely different playing field. You know what high performance looks like, but how do you maintain that standard when you’re no longer just responsible for your own work?

Redefining High Performance

Before, success was measured by how much you could personally get done. Now, it’s about how well you enable others to get things done. That’s a shift—not just in responsibility, but in mindset. It’s no longer about being the fastest or the most efficient; it’s about making sure your team has what they need to perform at their best.

This doesn’t mean you stop being a high performer. It just means high performance looks different now. Instead of executing tasks, you’re coaching, problem-solving, and guiding your team toward success.

Letting Go of "I’ll Just Do It Myself"

One of the biggest hurdles for new managers is delegation. When you’ve spent years being the one to deliver results, it’s tempting to step in and take over when things aren’t going smoothly. But resisting that urge is key.

Your job isn’t to do everything—it’s to create an environment where your team can deliver results without you having to step in constantly. That means:

• Setting clear expectations. Vague instructions lead to vague results.
• Giving people autonomy. Micromanaging slows things down and erodes trust.
• Providing support, not control. Check in with your team, but don’t hover over their every move.
• Think of it like coaching a sports team. You’re not the one taking every shot—you’re making sure your team is set up to win.

Staying at the Top of Your Game

The best leaders are constantly learning. Even if you were a top performer before, leadership requires a whole new skill set. To stay at the top of your game:

• Be adaptable. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about staying flexible and figuring things out as you go.
• Communicate clearly. If expectations aren’t met, ask yourself if they were communicated properly. Assumptions can derail even the best teams.
• Encourage innovation. Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the best way. Challenge processes, encourage new ideas, and keep learning.
• Stay resilient. Not every day will go smoothly. Keep perspective, learn from setbacks, and keep moving forward.
• Stay disciplined. You’re setting the tone for your team. Prioritise effectively, manage your time well, and lead by example.

High Performance in Leadership

The best first time managers understand that their success is now tied to the success of their team. That’s what high performance in leadership is all about—not just achieving results yourself, but enabling others to thrive.

It’s a shift, but one that’s well worth it. Because when you help your team perform at their best, that’s when you truly become a high-performing leader.