Resources for New Managers

Transitioning from a staff position into a management role can be overwhelming for many reasons. The differences are significant: staff members typically focus on completing tasks within a specialized area, while managers have a wider scope with broader responsibilities. Managers are accountable for achieving organizational goals, making decisions, managing resources, and driving overall performance. 

As a new manager, you’ll need to develop skills to navigate the challenges you will face in this role. 

Change is constant, sometimes subtle, while other times radical. Possessing the emotional intelligence to assess the impact of change while providing direction and vision to your team is a critical first step toward success. Teams look to their leaders for stability and guidance, and an effective manager displays a balanced outlook that keeps the team on track. 

We have selected ten of the 29 core competencies for leaders that we believe are most crucial for a new manager to grasp. We researched numerous resources on each competency. Below are links to articles and videos that will help you become an effective manager: 

 

Leading Change – Flexibility: 

• 11 Ways to Improve Your Flexibility in Leadership

By: The Indeed Editorial Team

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/flexibility-in-leadership#toc-how-to-assess-your-flexibility-as-a-leader

 

Leading Change – Resilience: 

• Resilient Leadership: 18 Core Attributes of Unstoppable Leaders

By: Bravanti, a ZRG Company

https://bravanti.com/resilient-leadership-core-attributes-of-unstoppable-leaders/

• How to Read Employees’ Anxiety as Data, Not Resistance to Change

By: Expert Panel, Forbes Councils Members

https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/2026/02/16/how-to-read-employees-anxiety-as-data-not-resistance-to-change/

 

Leading People – Conflict Management: 

• The 5 ‘Cs’ Approach to Conflict Resolution in the Workplace

By: Richard Trevino II (Entrepreneur)

https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/the-5-cs-approach-to-conflict-resolution-in-the-workplace/350374

• How To Resolve Conflict In The Workplace As A Manager

By: Christopher Littlefield

youtube.com/watch?v=twZY3t37amE&feature=youtu.be

 

Leading People – Team Building: 

• Elevating Performance: The Art of Building High-Performing Teams

By: FranklinCovery

https://www.franklincovey.com/blog/high-performing-teams/

• 6 Tips for Effective Teamwork

By: David Burkus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkkYR2VT_oU

 

Results Driven – Problem Solving: 

• Navigating Challenges: 5 Problem Solving Methods Every Manager Should Know

By: modergov

https://blog.moderngov.com/navigating-challenges-5-problem-solving-methods-every-manager-should-know

• The Ultimate Leadership Guide to Mastering Problem-Solving

By: Sariki Abungwo (Forbes)  

https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/2025/03/27/the-ultimate-leadership-guide-to-mastering-problem-solving/

 

Fundamental Competencies – Written Communication: 

• Mastering the Art of Executive Communications: Best Practices and Strategies for Great Leaders

By: Robert Forrester (Forbes)

https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescommunicationscouncil/2024/08/29/mastering-the-art-of-executive-communications-best-practices-and-strategies-for-great-leaders/

• Executive Communication: Fundamentals that Matter Most

By: Regina Zafonte

https://regina-72331.medium.com/executive-communication-fundamentals-that-matter-most-executive-comms-series-2-9-10f2720f961f  

 

Building Coalitions – Partnering: 

• How to Build Partnerships Within an Organization

By: Oxford Training Center

https://oxfordcentre.uk/resources/human-resources/how-to-build-partnerships-within-an-organization/

• Building Successful Partnerships: A Guide to Strategic Partnership Development for Emerging Leaders 

By: Join the Collective

https://www.jointhecollective.com/article/building-successful-strategic-partnerships-a-step-by-step-guide/