Effectively managing a new team

Module 1: Transitioning into a leadership role

• Understand the shift from individual contributor to manager
• Clarify your leadership role, authority and responsibility
• Recognize early mistakes new managers often make

Module 2: Assessing your new team

• Evaluate team strengths, skill gaps and working styles
• Understand team history, informal norms and culture
• Conduct one-on-one meetings to build connection
• Activity: Stakeholder mapping and team discovery exercise

Module 3: Building trust and credibility

• Earn respect and build rapport without overstepping
• Demonstrate transparency, reliability and consistency
• Use active listening and inclusive behavior to foster trust

Module 4: Setting team norms and shared values

• Facilitate a team discussion on ways of working
• Define operating principles and decision-making protocols
• Establish meeting rhythms and collaboration ground rules
• Activity: Team charter creation workshop

Module 5: Aligning goals and expectations

• Set clear performance expectations and KPIs
• Link individual objectives to team and organizational goals
• Apply the SMART goal framework effectively

Module 6: Communicating as a new leader

• Adapt communication for different personalities and situations
• Provide feedback with confidence and care
• Handle tough conversations and team concerns

Module 7: Managing early resistance and team dynamics

• Navigate team skepticism, legacy loyalties or passive resistance
• Identify influencers, blockers and silent supporters
• Rebuild low-performing or fragmented teams
• Activity: Role-play resistance scenarios with coaching

Module 8: Motivating and engaging your team

• Understand what drives motivation across team members
• Use recognition, development and purpose to inspire
• Identify disengagement early and take action

Module 9: Delegating and prioritizing effectively

• Avoid micromanagement by assigning ownership with clarity
• Prioritize work based on urgency and team strengths
• Use delegation as a development tool

Module 10: Creating a 90-day success plan

• Define key milestones for your first three months
• Align quick wins with long-term culture and performance goals
• Build credibility through action, presence and progress
• Activity: Design your personal 90-day new team leadership plan