Why Your Team Doesn't Trust You Yet, And How To Earn It Dear Reader , Let's Start With a Hot Take: Respect doesn’t guarantee trust, but when you have trust, respect usually follows. Do You Agree or Disagree? I agree I disagree Ever since you took on that role, you’ve been friendly and you’re working harder than anyone, yet the team has remained guarded.The conversation changes when you walk in; they switch topics. Nobody’s rude, but nobody’s open either. That’s often a sign your team doesn’t...
16 days ago • 3 min read
"I Don't Do Office Politics" Dear Reader , You've most likely met a manager or colleague who says this " I don't do office politics" in fact this might just be you. You're good at your job, maybe the best on your team. You come early, deliver clean work, don't gossip, you don't do anyhow. And when the conversation turns to office politics, you say it with a straight face and a little pride: "Me? I don't do politics. I just face my work." It sounds like integrity. It feels like the high...
23 days ago • 4 min read
How to Manage Someone Older Than You; Without Losing Your Authority or Their Respect Every week, The Management Lab lands in the inboxes of new managers, 0-5 years, across Africa who are figuring out leadership in real time; without a manual, without a mentor, and often without anyone telling them the truth about what the role actually demands. If someone forwarded this to you and you want it in your inbox, subscribe below. It's free. And it might be the most useful thing you read this week....
about 1 month ago • 7 min read
Like Versus Respect: A Manager's Dilemma Every week, The Management Lab lands in the inboxes of new managers, 0-5 years, across Africa who are figuring out leadership in real time; without a manual, without a mentor, and often without anyone telling them the truth about what the role actually demands. This is that truth. Every week. If someone forwarded this to you and you want it in your inbox every week, subscribe below. It's free. And it might be the most useful thing you read this week....
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
The One Habit That Keeps New Managers From Losing Their Way Every week, The Management Lab lands in the inboxes of new managers, 0-5 years, across Africa who are figuring out leadership in real time; without a manual, without a mentor, and often without anyone telling them the truth about what the role actually demands. This is that truth. Every week. If someone forwarded this to you and you want it in your inbox every week, subscribe below. It's free. And it might be the most useful thing...
about 2 months ago • 6 min read
Promotion, Panic and the Need to Prove Yourself Every week, The Management Lab lands in the inboxes of new managers, 0-5 years, across Africa who are figuring out leadership in real time; without a manual, without a mentor, and often without anyone telling them the truth about what the role actually demands. This is that truth. Every week. If someone forwarded this to you and you want it in your inbox every week, subscribe below. It's free. And it might be the most useful thing you read this...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Good Managers Are Not Peacekeepers Reader I'm going to tell you something about myself that took me years to admit. I don't like conflict. I never have. I'm naturally social. I enjoy people. I read rooms quickly. I notice when the energy shifts, when someone's uncomfortable, when tension is building. And for most of my life, my instinct was to smooth it over. To soften. To find the middle ground. To keep things... peaceful. I thought this made me easy to work with. Turns out, it made me hard...
2 months ago • 4 min read
IMPOSTER SYNDROME IS NORMAL Reader Feeling Like a Fraud Doesn't Mean You Are One. BEFORE WE BEGIN: Quick one. The Management Lab Quarterly Intensive is happening on Saturday, 25th April, and seats are almost gone. If you're a first-time manager, a manager in your first 3 years, or working toward your first leadership role, this is for you. One day. Practical frameworks. Real scripts. Live practice. Only 30 spots. We're almost full. Don't miss it. RESERVE YOUR SLOT HERE Now, onto today's...
2 months ago • 5 min read
How To Step Back Without Loosing Control (The Practical Playbook for Recovering Micromanagers) Dear Manager, Last week, we talked about the line between managing and micromanaging — and how easy it is for first-time managers to cross it without realising. If you missed it, [read Part 1 here]. Here's the quick summary: You're not micromanaging because you're a bad manager. You're micromanaging because the instincts that made you excellent at your old job; staying close, catching every detail,...
3 months ago • 7 min read