In our last blog, we explored why so many first-time managers struggle and why that matters. If you missed it, you can read it here. In this blog we dig deeper into what to do about it. How do we help new managers succeed in the role, and avoid the uncertainty and confusion that often comes with it?
At Willow & Puddifoot, we’ve worked with hundreds of emerging leaders and newly promoted managers.
We’ve heard first-hand what they find tough, what makes them doubt themselves,
and what helps them grow. And the same things come up again and again.
That’s why we developed the CRAFT™ leadership framework – a practical model to help new managers build the leadership skills that matter most. While this blog focuses on its use for first-time managers, we use CRAFT™ at every level of leadership, from emerging leaders through to senior teams, because the five foundations are relevant at every stage of leadership development.
CRAFT™ stands for:
Communication
Resilience
Authenticity
Future
Transformation
These are the capabilities that make someone an effective, human-centred leader and how they show up evolves as leaders grow.
How CRAFT™ Support First-Time Managers
Let’s look at how each element of CRAFT™ addresses the real-world challenges new managers face:
Communication is about helping new managers feel confident giving feedback, running meetings and handling conflict. It’s often one of the biggest challenges when people first step up, and one of the most important skills to get right early on.
Resilience means balancing the pressure of delivery with the needs of the team. First-time managers need to learn how to recognise stress in others, understand team dynamics, and stay grounded under pressure.
Authenticity helps managers lead with integrity. That means being fair and emotionally aware, managing their own responses, and beginning to create psychological safety for others.
Future is all about developing others. New managers need to delegate well, stay motivated themselves, and help their team grow too.
Transformation focuses on change. It’s about understanding how people react to it, challenging unhelpful norms, and helping the team evolve its habits, mindsets and ways of working.
The CRAFT™ Model for First-Time Manager Success
What HR Can Do
If you’re supporting new managers in your organisation, it’s worth stepping back to look at the full journey. Start by checking whether you’re actively helping them build these core skills. Then zoom out and consider how well you’re supporting managers through every step of the transition.
Here’s a practical checklist to help you sense-check the support you’re offering:
Before promotion:
- Do you have a clear definition of what a manager is in your organisation?
- Do you have guidelines for selecting the right people for management roles?
- Are you holding readiness conversations before promotion?
At promotion:
- Do you communicate what the manager role involves?
- Do new managers receive onboarding?
- Are new managers connected with internal buddies or mentors?
Early months in role:
- Do you provide structured development for new managers?
- Are there ongoing learning touchpoints?
- Do new managers have access to a supportive environment?
Even small improvements in these areas can make a big difference in helping managers succeed.
How We Use CRAFT™
Our first-time manager training is built around CRAFT™. We break it down into practical modules, spaced out over time. This gives people time to apply what they’ve learned and build real-world capability, not just tick a training box.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a manager is a big transition and if we want our first-time managers to succeed, we need to treat it as such. With the right structure and support in place, you can create confident, capable managers who lead teams well and support business success.
Need to Build Confident First-Time Managers?
We work with HR and L&D leaders to deliver practical, engaging manager development programmes built around our tried-and-tested CRAFT™ framework. If you’re planning your first-time manager training, let’s chat about how CRAFT™ can work in your business.
About the Author
Louise Puddifoot is the founder of Willow & Puddifoot, a training provider for organisations looking to strengthen their leadership and management capability. With a vibrant learning and development career spanning over two decades, Louise’s expertise lies in leadership and management development. She is passionate about enabling potential and catalysing growth in individuals and businesses alike.