Becoming a manager for the first time can feel overwhelming. You think you should have all the answers, but instead, you’re second-guessing everything. I know because I’ve been there. In this episode, I share the biggest mistakes I made when stepping into leadership at 24 and what I wish I had known to make the transition easier.

Have you ever felt like you have no idea what you’re doing as a leader?

Most first-time managers struggle with imposter syndrome, micromanagement tendencies, and feeling like they need to prove themselves. When I became a manager at 24, I thought leadership meant fixing every problem myself and making sure my team liked me. Instead, I burned myself out, made my team frustrated, and didn’t gain the respect I was hoping for.

This episode is all about the leadership mistakes I made so you don’t have to.

By the time you finish listening, you’ll discover:

• The biggest mistakes I made as a first-time manager and what I should have done differently
• Why trying to fix everything yourself actually hurts your leadership
• How one unexpected challenge changed the way I lead my team

Mentioned in this episode:

• Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni – a must-read for improving workplace communication
• Finish by Jon Acuff – the book that reshaped my leadership mindset and personal growth
• My full list of top leadership books for new managers → IntentionalAction.net/books

When you finish listening, I’d love to hear from you. Take a screenshot of this episode, share it in your Instagram stories, and tag me @DesireePetrich with your biggest takeaway.

While you’re there, follow me on LinkedIn Desiree Petrich where I share practical leadership tips, team leadership strategies, and career growth insights.

Enjoyed this episode? If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps other new managers find this podcast and get the tools they need to lead with confidence.

Coming up next: I Read Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni, So You Don’t Have To. We’ll break down common leadership mistakes, the right way to lead a successful team meeting, and how to avoid unproductive workplace meetings.

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