Journaling for New Managers and First-Time Leaders

Navigate your transition to leadership, build management skills, and find your leadership voice

Team meeting with emerging leader facilitating discussion

Yesterday you were one of the team. Today you are responsible for their performance, growth, and well-being. You were promoted because you were great at your job, but no one taught you how to manage people.

You second-guess every decision. You wonder if your team respects you. You struggle with giving feedback and having hard conversations. Your former peers treat you differently now, and you miss being just one of the group.

Journaling gives you a private space to process the transition. To work through management challenges before acting. To develop your leadership voice. To track your growth from nervous new manager to confident leader.

What You'll Journal About

Identity Shift

Process the transition from individual contributor to people leader

Difficult Conversations

Prepare for and process feedback, conflict, and tough discussions

Team Dynamics

Navigate relationships and build trust with your team

Decision Making

Work through management decisions and learn from outcomes

Leadership Style

Discover and develop your authentic approach to leading

Imposter Syndrome

Build confidence and overcome the fear of being found out

Try These Prompts

Get started with these example prompts

What is the hardest part of being a manager right now?

Describe a conversation you are avoiding. What would help you have it?

What kind of manager do you want to be?

What did you learn from a mistake you made as a leader this week?

How has your relationship with your team changed since you became their manager?

Write about a moment when you felt like a real leader.

Best Time to Journal for New Managers

The best time to journal as a new manager is when you can process leadership challenges and develop your management skills.

Before One-on-Ones

Prepare for individual meetings and think through what each team member needs

After Difficult Conversations

Process how it went and capture lessons for next time

End of Day Leadership Reflection

Review your management decisions and interactions from the day

Before Team Meetings

Set intentions for how you want to show up as a leader

Weekly Management Review

Assess your team's progress, your growth as a leader, and challenges ahead

The best journaling practice is one that fits your life. Experiment with different times to find what works for you, and remember that even 5 minutes of reflection can make a difference.

More Prompts for New Managers

Explore our full library of relevant prompts

January 3 Personal Growth

What strength or quality do you most appreciate about yourself?

self-discovery confidence appreciation
January 5 Reflection

Describe a moment from your past that shaped who you are today.

reflection past growth
January 8 Personal Growth

What is something you believe about yourself that you want to be true this year?

self-discovery beliefs growth
January 14 Reflection

What is one thing you learned about yourself last year?

reflection growth learning
January 16 Growth

What are you curious to learn or explore this year?

growth learning curiosity
January 20 Goal Setting

What is one thing you want to say yes to this year?

goals courage intention
January 21 Reflection

Write about a time when you surprised yourself with your own resilience.

reflection strength courage
January 24 Growth

When was the last time you tried something for the first time?

growth adventure courage
January 26 Reflection

How have your priorities shifted in the past year?

reflection change growth
January 29 Growth

What skill or ability do you have that you once thought was impossible?

growth accomplishment pride
January 31 Reflection

What is one thing you accomplished or experienced this month that you want to remember?

reflection celebration accomplishment
February 3 Self-Love

What quality about yourself do you love most?

self-love appreciation confidence
View All Prompts

Related Topics

Explore prompts by these themes

confidence growth resilience reflection connection planning purpose learning balance

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