First-Year Mistakes New Academic Managers Make
- Joel Abel
- Jun 14
- 2 min read
The shift from teacher or coach to academic manager is one of the biggest transitions in education leadership — and one of the most underestimated.
New academic managers often come in with strong instructional expertise, a heart for service, and the motivation to do the job well. But they quickly discover: leading adults is not the same as teaching students.
In my work coaching new school leaders and supporting academic teams, I’ve seen the same avoidable mistakes show up again and again in that first year.
Here are four of the most common — and what to do instead:
Over-focusing on administration
New leaders often cling to compliance tasks: checking boxes, managing schedules, tracking deliverables. It feels safe and measurable. But leadership isn’t just about managing the work — it’s about building the people doing the work.
“Too many new managers think their job is about control. In reality, it’s about communication and coordination.”
— Harvard Business Review, “5 Mistakes New Managers Make”
Under-communicating with the team
Assumptions kill clarity. Many new academic managers hold back, afraid of overstepping. But silence doesn’t build trust — intentional communication does. Be transparent. Be visible. Be proactive.
Not investing in relationships early
Leadership is relational, not positional. You don’t get buy-in from a title. You earn it by showing up consistently and caring about your team beyond the task list.
“The most successful school leaders take time early on to learn from their team, not just lead them.”
— Solution Tree, “Common Mistakes of New Principals”
Failing to course-correct fast
New managers often double down on mistakes out of fear of appearing indecisive. The opposite is true: your credibility is built by acknowledging missteps and adapting early. Ask for feedback. Reflect often. Pivot when needed.
These missteps are common — but avoidable. And more importantly, they’re coachable.
That’s why we work with education organizations to build training and mentorship pathways for new managers. Because every leader deserves a clear playbook, practical feedback, and support in learning the difference between being in charge and being effective.
If your school is onboarding new instructional leads, program directors, or academic managers this year, let’s make su re they’re equipped to lead — not just administrate.
Message me or visit AGNova.net to learn how we help leaders build clarity, culture, and performance from day one.
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