From Team Member to Team Leader
Being promoted into leadership can be frightening.
Doing your job well was second nature for you. You were only responsible for yourself, and you knew how to do the job better than anyone. Now, because you do your job so well you have been called on to lead others. Learning to manage others is a completely different skill set. If you do not have the skills you need now the good news is you can learn how to lead, and this book is for you.
From Doing the Work to Leading the Team
Making the Shift from Contributor to Manager
Stepping out of the workshop and into a leadership role is one of the biggest transitions you can make in your career. The shift from solving problems with your hands to solving them through people requires new skills, new habits, and a new mindset. That’s exactly what Now What? is designed to give you—practical guidance to help you thrive as a new supervisor or manager.
With this book, you’ll:
- Learn how to shift from being the go-to problem solver to empowering others to solve problems.
- Discover strategies for building trust and respect as you lead former peers.
- Understand how to communicate expectations clearly and manage performance with confidence.
- Gain practical tools to lead meetings, resolve conflicts, and motivate your team.
- Build the mindset of a leader who not only manages work, but develops people.
I’m a new manager, what should I do next?
Stepping into a management role for the first time can feel exciting—and overwhelming. You’re expected to lead, make decisions, and inspire your team, but it’s not always clear where to start. That’s exactly why Now What? was written. In this book and in the message below, Glenn, author and head coach of Sharp Leadership Development, shares practical guidance and proven strategies to help you build confidence, avoid common pitfalls, and take your first steps as a leader with clarity and purpose.
Follow the Now What? Podcast on YouTube
Testimonials from Glenn’s Coaching Clients…
Joe Cummings
Director of eCommerce & Omni-Channel, Target Optical
“I can highly recommend Glenn’s approach. He is candid, insightful, confidential and very easy to talk to. I very much enjoyed our conversations and his suggested modifications to my leadership style very much helped me navigate a difficult reporting relationship and contributed towards my success in role.”
Wes Kawata
VP Leadership and Organizational Development, DDW The Colour House (D.D. Williamson)
“Glenn was incredibly skilled at asking the tough questions in a respectful and engaging manner… his coaching ability stems from his business savvy metered by emotional intelligence, patience, remarkable instincts and knowledge. The skills and concepts I learned will be invaluable for the rest of my career. I’m a much better listener, handle myself more effectively in meetings and provide much sharper responses”
Randall Lane
CEO, Cavu Group
“Glenn does an outstanding job of connecting with our entire team, keeping the lessons simple and applying a practicality that is typically lost in training sessions. I have seen a dramatic increase in our organization’s communication since our investment in Sharp Leadership Development.”
Now What? – A Guide for New Leaders Who Want to Take the Next Step
In Now What?, our Head Coach Glenn Sharp draws on years of experience helping new leaders, managers, and teams navigate change, overcome uncertainty, and move with clarity into what’s next. Packed with practical insights, this book gives you the tools you need to answer the toughest leadership question: You just got promoted into leadership, Now What?
In this book, you’ll:
- Learn how to handle the unexpected so you can respond with confidence instead of hesitation when plans shift or challenges arise.
- Understand the habits and mindsets of effective leaders that allow you to cut through noise, reduce stress, and inspire your team.
- Discover actionable strategies you can put into practice today—from leading meetings and making decisions to managing conflict and building trust.
- Gain a clear framework for moving forward no matter your role, experience, or the obstacles in your path.
About Glenn Sharp
Glenn Sharp is the President and CEO of Common Sense You, Inc., the umbrella company for his two businesses: Sharp Leadership Development and Dream Kitchens. Glenn has earned ten prestigious certifications in the training and development field including Master Trainer, Change Management Professional, Myers-Briggs Administrator, Situational Leadership Administrator, Crucial Conversations Administrator, Senn Delaney Culture Shaping Administrator, and Enneagram Cloverleaf.
Glenn has nearly twenty-three years of experience managing in the retail, food service, and convenience store industries. As a training and development professional, Glenn has taught more than 20,000 management professionals and provided individual coaching to countless leaders. Glenn is an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business, where he received the 2019 Outstanding Adjunct Teaching in Management Award.
Frequently Asked Questions
This guide answers some of the most common questions new managers face in industries like manufacturing, retail, and the skilled trades. These best practices are drawn from leadership experience and practical insights shared in the book Now What?.
What’s the best way to earn respect if I’ve moved from the floor to a supervisor role?
In manufacturing, retail, and trades, credibility comes from knowing the work firsthand. Show your team that you value their expertise, ask questions, and avoid micromanaging. Over time, consistency and fairness build respect far more than titles.
In a fast-paced retail or production environment, how do I make time for coaching instead of just “getting the job done”?
Coaching doesn’t always require long conversations. In high-volume environments, use “micro-coaching”—short, consistent feedback moments. Praise good work in real time and ask coaching questions while working side by side. Small touchpoints compound into stronger team development.
I’m worried about losing technical skills now that I’m managing instead of doing. How do I stay sharp?
Schedule regular check-ins with frontline work. In manufacturing or trades, walk the floor, ask questions, and stay engaged with processes. You don’t need to be the expert in every tool anymore, but staying informed shows you value the work and keeps your perspective grounded.
What should I focus on first as a new manager in a skilled trade or retail environment?
Start with listening. Meet one-on-one with team members to learn what’s working and what’s frustrating. Then focus on safety, clarity of roles, and communication. These foundational steps earn trust and help you lead with confidence from the start.
How do I handle leading people who used to be my peers?
Acknowledge the shift openly. Be transparent that your role has changed and your responsibility now is to support the whole team’s success. Avoid favoritism, set clear expectations, and hold everyone to the same standards.
What’s the best way to approach conflict when it arises on the shop floor or in the store?
Address issues quickly and directly. In skilled trades and retail, unresolved conflict can quickly impact productivity or customer experience. Use a private setting, focus on behaviors (not personalities), and aim for a solution everyone can live with.
How do I keep my team motivated when the work is repetitive?
Recognition and variety are key. Even in repetitive manufacturing or retail roles, managers can rotate tasks, set small challenges, and celebrate milestones. Let team members know how their work contributes to the bigger picture—it builds pride in what might otherwise feel routine.
How do I know when to step in and when to let my team solve problems on their own?
Use the “coaching first” approach. Ask guiding questions before offering solutions. Step in only when safety, quality, or customer satisfaction is at risk. Otherwise, allowing your team to solve problems builds capability and trust.
Bring Glenn Sharp to Your Next Company Event
Straight Talk. Real Impact. Lasting Change.
Imagine your team walking away from your company event not just inspired—but equipped with practical tools to take action. Glenn Sharp, author of Now What?, knows how to connect with audiences across industries—from healthcare and education to construction, manufacturing, and financial services.
With decades of leadership experience and a reputation for making complex ideas simple and actionable, Glenn brings energy, authenticity, and clarity to every stage he steps on. His direct communication style is a favorite among employees, inspiring teams while speaking truths that resonate deeply with managers and leaders at every level.
Why book Glenn for your event?
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Relatable Stories – Glenn draws on real-world experience that resonates with leaders and teams.
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Actionable Takeaways – Practical strategies your team can implement the very next day.
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Engaging Delivery – Dynamic, straightforward, and tailored to your company’s culture.
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Proven Impact – From corporate headquarters to community organizations, Glenn’s message inspires measurable change.
Add a keynote from Glenn Sharp to your next leadership summit, employee meeting, or company retreat—and turn your event into a launchpad for growth.
Straight Talk. Real Impact. Lasting Change.
Imagine your team walking away from your company event not just inspired—but equipped with practical tools to take action. Glenn Sharp, author of Now What?, knows how to connect with audiences across industries—from healthcare and education to construction, manufacturing, and financial services.
With decades of leadership experience and a reputation for making complex ideas simple and actionable, Glenn brings energy, authenticity, and clarity to every stage he steps on. His direct communication style is a favorite among employees, inspiring teams while speaking truths that resonate deeply with managers and leaders at every level.
Why book Glenn for your event?
-
Relatable Stories – Glenn draws on real-world experience that resonates with leaders and teams.
-
Actionable Takeaways – Practical strategies your team can implement the very next day.
-
Engaging Delivery – Dynamic, straightforward, and tailored to your company’s culture.
-
Proven Impact – From corporate headquarters to community organizations, Glenn’s message inspires measurable change.
Add a keynote from Glenn Sharp to your next leadership summit, employee meeting, or company retreat—and turn your event into a launchpad for growth.
We’ve Worked With
Get Your Free Guide: The First 10 Things to Do as a New Manager
Stepping into management comes with excitement—and uncertainty. That’s why we created this practical resource to help you hit the ground running. Inside, you’ll find the top 10 action steps every new manager should take to build trust, set direction, and create momentum with their team.
This free PDF gives you:
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A clear roadmap for your first days and weeks as a manager
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Proven strategies to avoid common mistakes
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Practical tips you can put into action immediately
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Confidence to lead with purpose from day one
Fill out the form to download your free copy today—and take the guesswork out of becoming the leader your team needs.