So You Just Became a Manager. Now What?

Look at Who You Admire

Think about the best leaders you’ve worked with. What did they do right? What stuck with you? What didn’t?

Make a personal playbook. Write down the traits, behaviors, and habits that impressed you. Then ask yourself, which ones can you realistically adopt? Build your own style using those pieces. Don’t copy. Evolve.

Never Stop Learning

If you think the job is about telling others what to do, you’re already off track.

The best managers read, watch, observe, ask questions, and stay curious. Leadership is a skill, not a job description. Read great books. Watch industry documentaries. Take notes. Talk to veterans. Stay a student of the game.

Use the Transition to Reinvent

A new role is a rare chance to start fresh. Shake off habits that held you back before. Dress better. Speak more clearly. Show up early. Think more like a leader.

This isn’t about acting like someone else. It’s about becoming the version of yourself that your team wants to follow.

Clarify Expectations with Your Boss

Don’t guess what your GM wants. Ask. Book a time. Sit down. Get clear on priorities.

Do they want you focused on cost control? On building the team? On customer retention? Know exactly what success looks like for them, not just for you.

Redefine Relationships

If you were promoted from within, it’s time to create new boundaries.

You can be friendly. You cannot be everyone’s friend. Let the shift drinks wait. If you play favorites, you’ll lose the room fast.

Set the Example

Your tone becomes the restaurant’s tone. How you show up matters.

Be early. Be sharp. Be focused. Be consistent. If you cut corners, others will follow. And when no one’s watching, what you allow becomes the new standard.

Stay Out of Gossip

The industry is small. Teams are tighter than family. That makes gossip tempting. And dangerous.

Stay above it. Don’t participate. Don’t repeat. Don’t tolerate. The moment people trust you with real feedback instead of rumors, you’ve started leading.

Speak for the Brand, Not Yourself

Shift your language. Stop saying “I want.” Start saying “Here’s what’s best for the restaurant.”

It’s a small change, but it makes a big difference. It moves conversations from personal to professional. It builds buy-in. It creates unity around purpose, not preference.

Balance Praise with Correction

You’ll need to hold people accountable. That’s part of the job.

But make sure you’re also catching them doing things right. Praise publicly. Correct privately. Deliver both with clarity and respect.

When people feel seen for what they do well, they’ll listen when you point out where they need to improve.

Ask More Than You Tell

When someone asks for guidance, flip it.

“What would you do?” “What do you think the guest expects?”

Teaching people to think, not just follow, creates stronger teams. It also shows respect. And it builds a culture where people feel empowered, not micromanaged.

Engage in the Big Picture

Weekly manager meetings aren’t optional. They’re your chance to earn your voice.

Bring a perspective. Share feedback. Ask questions. You don’t need to dominate the conversation. But showing up prepared signals that you’re not just running shifts — you’re helping shape the business.

Never Lose Sight of the Guest

You’re leading a team. Managing costs. Fixing systems. Solving problems. But don’t forget who the job is really for.

Walk the floor. Talk to tables. Watch the guest experience like a hawk. It’s easy to get caught up in tasks. But the guest is why the place exists. Never lose that thread.

The Takeaway

Becoming a restaurant manager isn’t about being the loudest voice or the sharpest dresser.

It’s about leading with intention. It’s about thinking bigger than the task in front of you. It’s about making your team better, your standards higher, and your guests happier.

Your first management job sets the tone for everything that comes after. Treat it like the launch pad it is. Be the manager you always wanted to work for. And when in doubt, lead with humility, consistency, and care.