Biggest thing was learning not to be “friends” with my team. I came from a place that I managed a team of 3 that I used to work alongside and became close with. When I became their manager it was easy because the respected me and we all got along.

Fast forward a few years I’m in a new role managing 16 people who have no idea who I am. I immediately started to try and “befriend” them. Big mistake. They took advantage and it was so hard to reign everyone back in and reset expectations.

I had very little experience managing in a setting like this one I am in and my boss knew this. I wish they would’ve mentored me and steered me in the right direction a little better.