Why Your First Manager Matters More Than You Think

Most of us remember our first manager. Not just their name or job title but how they made us feel. Whether it was your first part time job, your first “real” role, or something in between, those early experiences shape far more than we realise. They become the blueprint for what we expect (and tolerate) in future workplaces.

I still think about my first great manager a woman called Carol. She was a fierce advocate for her clients and unapologetically values driven. She took a chance on me at a time when I didn’t have the skills or experience on paper. But what she saw was something else someone who, like her, believed deeply in helping people on their terms. That belief stayed with me. It shaped how I work, how I lead, and how I try to show up for others.

Over the years, I’ve coached leaders at all levels and it always amazes me how often their stories trace back to that first boss.
“She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
“He micromanaged everything I still second guess myself now.”
“I didn’t know it at the time, but they were modelling how to lead with kindness.”

Your first manager doesn’t need to be perfect. But the best ones do a few key things:

• They see potential, not just performance.

• They take time to explain the “why,” not just the “what.”

• They correct without belittling.

• And they leave you better than they found you.

If you’re a manager now, you might not think of yourself as someone’s “first,” but you might be. The tone you set, the attention you give, the way you handle a mistake these become someone else’s story.

Leadership leaves a legacy. Even early on. Especially early on.