Being a new manager is scary. Why Most New Managers Fail within 18 months.

A recent study found that close to 60% of first-time managers fail within the first 18 months on the job. The study identified five primary reasons for this failure: lack of skill, inability to motivate employees, difficulty making decisions, micromanaging, and poor communication.

Lack of Skill: The most common reason for failure cited in the study was lack of skill. Many new managers are promoted based on their technical ability or seniority, without any consideration for their ability to manage people. This lack of skill leads to poor decision-making, micromanaging, and difficulty communicating with and motivating employees.

Clear Goals: Knowing what success looks like is crucial for any organization. Without a clear understanding of the north star metric – whether it be revenue, user growth, or something else – teams may find themselves lost and unable to make meaningful progress. By articulating this target, every individual and department can align their efforts towards a common goal. This not only ensures that everyone is on the same page, but it also motivates individuals to do their best work in order to contribute to the overall success of the company. In short, setting a clear target for success allows teams to hit the ground running and work towards a shared vision.

Remove Barriers: Every team experiences obstacles that can prevent them from achieving their goals. It’s important to take a proactive approach to identifying and removing these barriers. One potential obstacle is a tech backlog, which can slow down progress and lead to frustration. Hiring a freelancer or outsourcing this work can be a cost-effective solution to quickly clearing the backlog and getting back on track. Another obstacle may be cumbersome manual tasks that waste time and decrease efficiency. Look for ways to automate these processes, streamlining your workflow and freeing up valuable resources. Weak reporting and analytics can also hinder success, making it difficult to measure progress and make informed decisions. Implementing better tools for data analysis can help provide the necessary insights for driving growth and improvement. By proactively identifying and removing obstacles, teams can stay focused on reaching their full potential.

Inability to Motivate Employees: A key component of being a successful manager is the ability to motivate employees. Unfortunately, many new managers don’t know how to properly motivate their team. This often leads to high turnover rates and a toxic work environment.

Dealing with the mistakes of others: In a business setting, mistakes will inevitably occur. It is important to remember that honest mistakes are just that – mistakes. We are all human and make errors, and it is important to forgive and move on. However, repeated mistakes or dishonest behavior can indicate a lack of attention or laziness, in which case more serious consequences may be necessary. It is important to have a forgiving attitude towards honest mistakes, but also to take action when necessary to prevent further problems. Learning from our mistakes is crucial for success and growth, both individually and as a team. Remembering to be forgiving in the workplace can create a positive and productive environment for all members of the organization.

Difficulty Making Decisions: Another common issue among new managers is difficulty making decisions. This can be due to a lack of experience or knowledge, fear of making the wrong decision, or difficulty delegating tasks. When a manager is unable to make decisions in a timely manner, it can lead to confusion and frustration among employees.

Being Rational: It’s important for leaders to be able to defend their decisions in a rational manner. When we fail to explain ourselves, it weakens trust and undermines our authority as leaders. Without a logical explanation for our actions, we simply become unpredictable – our direction is dictated by whim instead of the overall vision. Ultimately, if we cannot articulate why we are making a certain decision, why should anyone follow us? This is not to say that being rational means always making popular choices – sometimes the best path forward is a difficult one that requires rational and clear justification. At the end of the day, effective leadership means being able to defend our actions with sound reasoning and logic.

Micromanaging: Micromanaging is another major issue that plagues new managers. When a manager tries to control every aspect of their team’s work, it stifles creativity and innovation. Additionally, it breeds resentment among employees who feel like they are not trusted to do their jobs properly.

Motivation: As a leader, it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate the successes of your team. Publicly praising great work not only shows the individual that their efforts are recognized and valued, but it can also inspire others to set that work as a benchmark for their own performance. On the other hand, it’s important to reserve criticism for one-on-one conversations. No one likes being called out or criticized in front of their peers, which can lead to demotivation and resentment. Take the time to have private discussions about any areas where improvements can be made, in order to foster a healthier and more productive working environment. Overall, remember to balance recognition and constructive feedback in order to effectively manage and motivate your team.

Poor Communication: Poor communication is another top reason why new managers fail. When a manager is unable to communicate effectively with their team, it can lead to miscommunication, misunderstandings, and conflict.

Transparency: In today’s remote-first work environment, it can be easy for employees to feel isolated and disconnected. Without regular face-to-face interaction, the imagination may fill in the gaps with negative or unrealistic thoughts. As a result, fear and alienation can quickly spread throughout the company. However, practicing transparency in all aspects of your business can help unite employees and alleviate these fears. Regularly sharing information about company performance, decision-making processes, and any obstacles or challenges being faced allows employees to have a clear understanding of where the organization stands. In turn, this can foster a sense of unity and trust among team members. At its core, transparency promotes open communication and helps create a more positive, collaborative workplace.

Being Ethical: As a business leader, it is essential to have a set of guiding principles to serve as the foundation for all decision-making. These principles should be clearly defined and communicated to employees, so that everyone is on the same page and knows what actions align with company values. It is also important for leaders to uphold these principles in their own actions and behaviors, as any contradictory behavior undermines their credibility and sets a negative example for others. Think of these principles as a compass, helping to steer the company in the right direction and guide decisions ethically. A strong ethical foundation can not only improve employee morale, but also enhance trust with customers and the wider community. In today’s socially conscious world, practicing strong ethics is critical for success in the long term.

Be open to others: In the business world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that only certain individuals or departments possess the best ideas. However, by adopting a mindset of openness and assuming that there is always a better idea out there, we open ourselves up to a whole world of possibilities. By actively seeking out and considering different perspectives, not only will our team feel heard and motivated to contribute their own ideas, but the overall quality of our work will naturally improve as well. Openness can also lead to increased creativity and innovation, as we are more actively seeking out new ideas from a variety of sources. So let’s embrace being open to different perspectives and ideas – it could take our team and project to the next level.

Trust: In business and in life, it can be tempting to jump to negative conclusions and suspicion regarding the intentions and actions of others. However, keeping an open mind and giving people the benefit of the doubt can lead to positive outcomes. Not only does it create more harmonious relationships, but it also allows for opportunities to surprise and delight each other. It is important to be aware that our minds often make up narratives to explain events and circumstances, regardless of whether they are true or not. Practicing discernment between fact and narrative can help us trust others more effectively. In the end, a trusting mindset leads to a richer life experience for all parties involved.

Deal with your mistakes: Mistakes happen, and an important part of success is being able to not only acknowledge when you make a mistake, but to take ownership of it in front of others. It may be tempting to try and pass the blame onto someone else, or brush off the mistake as minor. However, this only creates distrust and fosters a culture where blame is always placed first before accountability. By owning up to our mistakes in front of others, we show that we are accountable for our actions and willing to learn from them. This builds trust both within a team and with external partners, creating a strong foundation for future success. Embracing one’s flaws may seem counterintuitive in the competitive business world, but it ultimately leads to greater honesty and growth as individuals and as a company.


If you are a new manager or are thinking about becoming one, make sure you have the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this role. With proper preparation, you can avoid becoming another statistic.