Managers on the biggest challenges they face in their job: 'You're no longer the smartest person in the room'

Ally Perry • Writer and Editor

Jun 29, 2026 11:45 AM EDT

The shift from being an employee to a person who supervises other employees is a big one.

The manager that we have at work informs many things about how good or bad our working experience is. It goes so deep that some like to say that people don't leave bad jobs, but rather bad managers. The fact of the matter is, most workplaces operate in a way that a team leader of some sort is a necessary role. If it is not being filled in a satisfactory way, both the employees and the company will start feeling the consequences.

While many aspire to get to a management level at some point in their career, they do not always appreciate the kind of work that goes into it. A lot of the time, it is a big transition to go from supervised to supervising (with somebody even more important supervising you). One of the reasons that managers do a bad job is that they have not properly considered what it means to take on the responsibility of managing other people. There are numerous factors to consider beyond the fact that you have experienced a slight increase in power and influence.

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The best kinds of people to be a supervisor are the ones who understand that it is a complex role, without allowing that complexity to overwhelm them. This isn't always easy when you are new to the job, and some things can only be learned with experience. Nonetheless, the ability to reflect and modify behavior where possible is invaluable.
When somebody wanted to know the most important things that a manager should consider when stepping into the role, multiple and varied issues came up. One thing is for sure, it seems like it is best to go into the role with a minimum of ego.
What’s one thing you wish someone had taught you before you became a manager?

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