From Peer to Leader: Redefining Success as a First-Time Manager
Thu, Jan 22
|McMullen Southside Library
A twist on "Lunch & Learns," join us in this Leadership Lab session exploring the identity shift from individual contributor to people leader.
Time & Location
Jan 22, 2026, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM EST
McMullen Southside Library, 527 Griffin Ave, Valdosta, GA 31601, USA
About the event
Making the leap from “doing the work” to “leading the work” is one of the hardest transitions in any career. In this engaging session, we’ll unpack what changes (and what shouldn’t) when you step into leadership as a new manager. We’ll explore the shift from control to trust, learn practical ways to build credibility with your team, and define what success looks like for you as a leader who inspires rather than manages.
Key Learning Points:
Explore what it really means to lead, not just manage.
Identify the most common traps new managers fall into (i.e. - overcontrol, perfectionism, staying “too close” to the work).
Learn how to shift from doing to enabling through trust, clarity, and coaching.
Reflect on your personal leadership philosophy and how it shapes team trust and performance.