Navigating the First 45 Days as a New Manager

You’ve just stepped into a new manager role—congratulations! Now what?

The first few weeks can feel like a whirlwind. One day you’re a high-performing individual contributor, and the next, you’re expected to lead a team, set direction, and navigate complex dynamics—all while still figuring out what kind of leader you want to be.

Thankfully, today’s guest is here to guide you through those critical first 45 days.

Today’s guest is James Turk. James is an executive coach, keynote speaker, facilitator, founder and CEO of The Turk Group, a boutique learning and development consulting firm, and author of The Giving Game – Becoming The Leader That Others Want To Follow. 

With more than twenty-five years of experience, James has expertly designed and delivered training and coaching programs and solutions in the areas of leadership development, sales, change management, and strategic planning for clients across a wide range of industries—including financial services, digital media, biotech, and more. His clients include Spotify, Squarespace, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Goldman Sachs, Equinox, and many more.

In this episode, James outlines a step-by-step strategy for earning trust, clarifying expectations, and cultivating team alignment early on through consistent rituals like team meetings and one-on-ones.

Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, we dive into the trickier scenarios, like managing former peers, inheriting a team someone else wanted to lead, and managing up when your boss isn’t showing up.

Whether you’re a first-time manager (or know someone who is), this conversation is packed with real-world insights to help you lead with confidence and intention—starting day one.

Join the conversation now!

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Conversation Topics

• (00:00) Introduction
• (02:00) Why transitioning to a managerial role is hard
• (08:40) How to assess your leadership skills
• (10:53) Starting strong: earning credibility with your new team
• (12:52) Building trust as a new manager from day one
• (16:59) A real-life coaching story from Buzzfeed
• (23:04) How to spend your first 45 days as a new manager
• (28:37) A great manager James has worked for
• (30:57) Keep up with James
• (31:47) [Extended Episode Only] How to navigate friendships when you become the boss
• (36:03) [Extended Episode Only] Managing someone who was passed over for your role
• (38:31) [Extended Episode Only] What to do when your boss isn’t showing up for you

Additional Resources:

- Get the extended episode by joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month

- Read the full transcript here

- Follow me on Instagram here 

- Visit my website for more here

- Upskill your team here

- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel here

- Check out the book Leadership Pipeline here

 Keep up with James Turk

- Follow James on LinkedIn and Instagram

- Grab a copy of James’s book The Giving Game here

- Follow The Turk Group for updates on Instagram and Facebook

FREE: The F45 Playbook

James is providing members of Podcast+ with the F45 Playbook. Recognizing the first 45 days and the first year as critical for new managers, this playbook outlines exactly what to do in the first six weeks.

To get this bonus and many other member benefits, become a member of The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.

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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.

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