Struggling as a New Manager? These 3 Habits Build Trust Fast
Struggling as a New Manager? These 3 Habits Build Trust Fast
You worked hard to earn this leadership role.
Now that you're in it… why does it feel so shaky?
Maybe you’re leading a second team for the first time.
Maybe you’re battling self-doubt behind the scenes.
Maybe you’re wondering:
“Do they respect me? Am I doing this right? Can they tell I’m anxious?”
If you’ve had these thoughts lately, I want to pause and tell you this:
You’re not alone. You’re not broken. And no, you don’t need to pretend to have it all figured out.
What you do need is something most new managers aren’t taught:
A resilience-based approach to leadership that helps you earn trust while staying grounded.
Let’s break it down.
Why Self-Doubt Feels So Loud When You Step into Leadership
You may be a high-achiever, goal-oriented, and great at your work. But leadership is a shift.
It’s no longer just about what you do. It’s about how you bring others along.
That shift can create a lot of noise in your mind:
“Was that too harsh?”
“Should I have spoken up more?”
“They were quiet during the meeting… did I say something wrong?”
That’s not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of awareness, and with the right habits, you can channel that awareness into confidence and clarity.
Here’s how.
✅ Habit 1: Be Clear, Even If You’re Still Figuring It Out
Clarity earns trust. Not perfection. Not power. Clarity.
That means:
Set clear expectations, even if they’re simple
Communicate what you’re working on, even if it's not complete
When you make a decision, explain the why behind it
You don’t need all the answers. But if your team knows what to expect from you, they’ll feel grounded, and that creates psychological safety.
Try this: End every meeting with:
“Here’s what happens next, and here’s how I’ll follow up.”
✅ Habit 2: Be Consistent, Even When You’re Tired
Inconsistency is one of the fastest ways to lose trust. When you're inconsistent, people start walking on eggshells.
Consistency doesn’t mean robotic. It means dependable.
That might look like:
Keeping your 1:1s on the calendar
Responding to emails with the same tone, even on tough days
Following through on small things (when you say you’ll check in - do it)
Truth bomb: You can’t build trust with occasional excellence.
You build it with consistent presence.
Even when your energy is low, consistency is what tells your team:
“I’m still here. I’ve got you.”
✅ Habit 3: Be Human - Without Over-Explaining Yourself
Here’s the tightrope:
You want to be respected. But you also don’t want to seem cold or distant.
Here’s your permission slip:
You can be human and still be the leader.
That doesn’t mean dumping your stress on your team.
It means letting them know when you’re navigating something new.
You can say:
“This is a first for me, but I’ve thought it through and here’s how I’m approaching it.”
“I’m open to feedback as we build this together.”
That kind of transparency doesn’t make you look weak. It makes you look real, and real is what earns loyalty.
💡 What If You’re Still Struggling?
If anxiety is still driving the car, start small.
Ask yourself:
Where can I offer 10% more clarity? or even just 1%.
Where can I create 10% more consistency?
Where can I let my team see the real me, just a little more?
You don’t need a personality transplant.
You don’t need to copy the loudest leader in the room.
You just need to build habits that align with who you already are, and grow from there.
💬 Let’s Talk
Which of these habits do you find hardest right now?
Drop it in the comments or DM me. I read everything.
And if you’re a new manager looking for clarity, confidence, and communication strategies that actually work,
I’m building something just for you.
👉 Join the waitlist for my Manager Masterclass: From Chaos to Clarity
