The skills most new managers aren't taught and why that matters-The skills most new managers aren’t taught and why that matters

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This session explored why many new managers struggle and why management is often a “sink or swim” role. Nina Shevchuk explained that strong individual performers are frequently promoted without formal training, yet management requires very different skills: handling conflict, giving feedback, building trust, delegating, holding boundaries, and supporting performance.<br /><br />She highlighted research showing that 82% of people entering management have no formal leadership training, while 70% of team engagement is shaped by the manager. Because of this mismatch, many managers feel pressure, imposter syndrome, and fear of damaging relationships—especially when managing former peers or underperforming team members.<br /><br />A key message was that effective leadership is not about being “nice,” but about being kind, fair, and consistent. Managers must shift from being top performers themselves to creating the conditions for others to succeed. Nina emphasized that confidence comes through practice, not just knowledge, and that behavior can be learned and rehearsed over time.<br /><br />She also encouraged adapting management style to individuals rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, and noted that AI can be a useful tool for practicing difficult conversations in a safe, low-cost way.

Keywords

new managers

leadership training

managerial skills

conflict resolution

employee feedback

team engagement

imposter syndrome

delegation

performance management