This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the leaders at Agoda who are shaping the future of our company. Leadership is a journey that looks different for everyone, and stepping into a management role for the first time can be as daunting as it is exciting. That’s why we’ve asked seven brilliant leaders from across Agoda to share their best advice for first-time managers.
From building trust to balancing empathy with assertiveness, read on for their tips and valuable lessons. Whether you’re a new manager or an experienced leader looking for fresh perspectives, their advice will inspire you to lead with purpose, authenticity, and impact.
Be present and truly connect with your team
Heather Mitchell
Director, Talent Business Partners
People Team
Be present and truly connect with your team. Building relationships takes effort, and as a manager, that effort starts with you. Regular 1:1s might seem like just another task on your packed schedule, especially early on, but trust me: they’re essential. Keeping them on time and avoiding rescheduling speaks volumes about what (and who) you prioritize. Your team will notice and appreciate that you value their time.
Start by learning what drives each team member. This will help you give feedback and create growth opportunities that really click. Celebrate something they smashed each week, no matter how small. This keeps things positive and shows that you value their wins.
Align on two to three key priorities for each week so that everyone is focused and on the same page. Clear barriers together. The short-term challenge of carving out time for 1:1s is worth the long-term payoff. You’ll accelerate leading through the team.
Own it, fix what you can, and keep showing up
Prawee Nonthapun
Director, Operational Excellence, Partnerships, and Automation
Customer Support Team
The hard truth is that you will make mistakes, and people will complain about it. It will be really difficult in the beginning. You’ll be leading while still learning how to lead, and at some point, you’ll let people down – whether intentionally or not. When that happens, your job isn’t to pretend you got it right. It’s to own it, fix what you can, and keep showing up. That’s how you become a manager that people can trust and count on.
Empower others to succeed
Sharon Mirsky
Director of Content
Product
Shift your focus from doing the work yourself to empowering others to succeed. This transition can be challenging, especially if you were promoted for your technical expertise, but your success now depends on your team’s performance, not your individual contributions. You’re no longer the star player; you’re the coach who brings out the best in everyone.
This means spending less time on hands-on tasks and more on removing obstacles, connecting team members with opportunities, ensuring a supportive team culture, and ensuring everyone aligns their work with the company’s overarching goals. When you can help both individuals and the team thrive, you’ve cracked the role of a manager.
Lead with empathy
Zsuzsanna Janos
Country Director
Supply
My advice for first-time managers is to lead with empathy and genuinely care for your team. It’s a myth that you can’t be both empathetic and assertive. You can balance caring for the business and your people, being strong and compassionate.
Remember, everyone wants to excel, but they also want to feel seen and valued. When you take good care of your team, they’ll go above and beyond for both the business and you.
Stay flexible and evolve with your team and company
Elia Otero Arrazola
Director, Tax
Finance
Be intentional about the culture you create as a manager. Set clear goals and expectations to give your team a solid understanding of what success looks like. Provide honest and constructive feedback regularly to help them improve, feel valued, and perform at their best.
Encourage feedback for yourself as well, ensuring your team feels comfortable sharing their thoughts. Be transparent about mistakes, and don’t be afraid to show vulnerability. This helps you build trust and genuine relationships.
Delegate work effectively to empower your team, build their skills, and allow yourself to focus on strategic priorities. Remember, change is constant, so stay flexible. As the company and team evolve, a good manager should grow with them.
Dive into the details
Kris Suebjaklap
VP, Marketing
Marketing Team
As a first-time manager, it’s essential to dive into the details of your team’s work. Gaining a solid understanding of their tasks and challenges will equip you to provide the right coaching and advice. Taking the time to grasp the intricacies of their roles not only builds your credibility but also fosters trust and collaboration within the team.
If you find yourself managing an established team, remember that it’s perfectly normal to feel a bit out of your depth initially. No one expects you to have all the answers from day one. Focus on learning the key aspects of the team’s dynamics and operations quickly. Aim to identify one area where you can add value and use that as your starting point to build your influence and effectiveness as a manager.
Prioritize your team’s growth
Gauri Vicknasvaran
Senior Director, Talent Development and Resource Planning
Customer Support Team
My advice for first-time managers is to prioritize your team’s individual goals and growth, not just driving results. There are countless ways to do this, but my approach is to invest in their development, provide opportunities to try new things, and recognize their achievements.
Start by understanding each team member’s aspirations and interests. This is especially important in your first 90 days with a new team, as you learn about their strengths and work styles. By doing so, you can give tailored, constructive feedback and foster a growth mindset that turns mistakes into learning opportunities. When you invest in your team, you lay the foundation for achieving great results.
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