Your First Week as a Manager: A 3-Step Survival Plan
You got the job. You're officially a manager. And now you're sitting at your new desk, completely overwhelmed, thinking, What do I do now?
I was in your shoes once. The transition from individual contributor to manager is the most challenging of your career.
You'll feel pressure in your first week to prove you deserve the role. You'll want to jump in, change a process, or fix a problem.
Don't.
Your only job in your first week is to listen and learn. You are not a fixer; you are an investigator. Here is the 3-step plan I give every new manager I coach.
1. Read the Room
Your new team is just as nervous as you are. They're wondering if you're going to change everything. Your first job is to reassure them.
Your First Team Meeting
Schedule a 45-minute introductory meeting. The agenda is simple: introduce yourself, explain your working style, and set clear, reassuring expectations (e.g., I'm not here to change anything in week one). The last 20 minutes are just for their open Q&A.
Be a Fly on the Wall
Get yourself invited to all their existing meetings (sprint planning, retrospectives, etc.). Your job is to mute yourself, turn your camera on, and just observe. How do they plan? Who is the natural leader? How do they handle conflict? You can't lead the team until you understand its rhythm.
2. Build Your Bridges
Your success is no longer about your output; it's about your ability to get things done through others. This starts with building relationships in every direction.
In your first week, you must start scheduling 1-on-1s with your 4S:
Your Superior (Your Boss)
This is the first meeting you book. It's to align on expectations.
Your Subordinates (Your Team)
Book a 30-60 minute 1-on-1 with each person. Your only question should be, What's on your mind? Listen.
Your Stakeholders (Your Peers)
Find out who your team delivers work to. Meet with them and ask, What's working, and what's not?
Senior Leaders
Don't be afraid to ask for 30 minutes with your boss's boss. Your goal is to understand their high-level vision.
3. Manage Up from Day One
The rule is simple: either you manage your boss, or they will manage you. Don't wait for them to chase you for updates.
Your most powerful tool to build trust fast is the End-of-Week Wrap (EOWW).
On your very first Friday, send your new boss a simple, 3-bullet email:
- Accomplishments: Here's who I met with and what I learned.
- Blockers: I still need access to [X] to get the full picture.
- Focus for Next Week: My plan is to finish my 1-on-1s and [Y].
This 5-minute task proves you are proactive, organized, and in control. It's the fastest way to earn their trust so they can stop worrying about you.
For a deeper playbook, check the Manager Augmented book or learn more about me.