The First-Time Manager

Book summary

Jim McCormick is an organizational consultant and executive coach as well as the founder and president of the Research Institute for Risk Intelligence. He is formerly the COO of the fifth largest architectural firm in the United States.

Delegation is a vital management skill that goes beyond lightening your workload—it fosters employee growth, motivation, and engagement while enhancing organizational performance. Many new managers hesitate to delegate due to overconfidence in their abilities or fear of being outshined, but effective delegation is about empowering your team, not offloading undesirable tasks. Begin by identifying tasks suitable for delegation, ensuring they align with employees’ skills, interests, and development needs. Once a task is assigned, provide clear instructions, establish expectations, and document agreements to ensure mutual understanding. Accept that employees may approach tasks differently, valuing growth over perfection. Similarly, when addressing underperformance, prioritize support and structured improvement plans before considering termination. Clearly outline expectations, document progress, and offer encouragement, as this approach often leads employees to recognize their fit within the role. In hiring, prioritize attitude over qualifications, as a positive outlook often outweighs experience in long-term success. During interviews, assess candidates’ mindset through their responses and questions, ensuring alignment with team dynamics. To motivate your team, focus on aligning individual aspirations with organizational goals, fostering a collaborative environment where personal growth and company objectives intersect. Finally, as a new manager, prioritize building trust and rapport by listening, offering genuine praise, and avoiding unnecessary displays of authority, creating a foundation for strong, supportive leadership.

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