How do you lead a team that was already established before you arrived?

Start by understanding the team’s existing culture before trying to change it. Workplace lawyer Charlene Theodore recommends asking team members what works, what gets in their way, and what they’d protect or change, while still making clear decisions. You don’t need sweeping changes to prove you’re in charge.

Do new managers have to choose between being liked and being respected?

No. According to Charlene Theodore, you don’t have to choose between being trusted and being in charge. In fact, focusing too much on being liked can backfire. Avoiding clear expectations, honest feedback, or tough decisions leaves people unsure where they stand, which erodes trust over time.

What should a new manager do first with an inherited team?

Listen first, but don’t get stuck in listening mode. Learn the team’s relationships, routines, frustrations, and unofficial power structures, and pay attention to how decisions actually get made. Then act. Theodore notes that new leaders can be curious and decisive at the same time.

How do you give feedback without it feeling personal?

Focus on behavior and impact, not identity or intention. Instead of saying “You’re not being collaborative,” describe what happened, how it affected the team, and what needs to change next time. Specific feedback is clearer, fairer, and easier to act on, without needing to be softened.

How can a manager be approachable without losing authority?

Being approachable and having authority aren’t in conflict. You can keep an open door, ask for feedback, and admit mistakes while still making the final call. Theodore says leaders earn trust through predictable behavior: listening, explaining their reasoning, making the decision, and owning it.

How to Lead an Established Team as a New Manager

Girlboss How-To Thursday in collaboration with 1440.

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Now let’s get into today’s newsletter. Starting a new leadership role is nerve-wracking enough, but what if your team has been working together for years? Workplace lawyer Charlene Theodore shares how to earn their trust and step into your authority (spoiler: you don’t have to choose).

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How Do You Lead a Team That Was Already a Team Before You Arrived?

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