546: How to Succeed as a New Manager: Lessons from UPS and Beyond with Noel Massie

What if the secret to thriving as a new manager is not found in your title, but in how you show up—day after day—for your peers and team? In this hands-on episode of Leaders of Transformation, we sit down with Noel Massie, former VP of US Delivery Operations at UPS and author of the essential guide Congrats! You've Been Promoted. Drawing on over forty years of frontline leadership, Noel Massie reveals what it really takes to succeed when you step into a supervisory role—no matter your age or experience. Sharing stories from UPS and practical wisdom for new managers, Noel Massie unpacks the core habits that set effective leaders apart: cultivating peer champions, learning from mentors, embracing patience, and investing in hands-on growth. This episode is jam-packed with actionable advice, role-play techniques, and concrete strategies to help you transition, inspire, and lead with confidence from day one. Whether you're newly promoted or preparing for your first management position, you'll find motivation, real-world examples, and a blueprint for turning your promotion into lasting impact. What We Discuss in this Episode The biggest mindset shift required for new managers. How "showing up" for others creates lasting influence in any organization. Why coaching and humility are indispensable for growth. What proactive steps every manager should take immediately after promotion. Real-world role plays: handling difficult team members and conflict—UPS style. The importance of embodied leadership values (not just policies). How to understand and align with your team's core motivators. Practical ways to build trust and respect on the front lines. Breaking through impatience and career plateaus as a leader. Feedback mechanisms for continual growth. Timestamps & Highlights 00:00 Leadership Tips for New Managers 06:22 Career Journey Growth Through Mentorship 08:59 Be a Team Player 11:44 Lessons from a Barbershop 15:17 Humility Fuels Entrepreneurial Growth 17:46 Success, Expectations and Control 22:15 Practical Leadership for Frontliners 25:41 Core Values and Boundaries 28:52 Servant Leadership Mindset Explained 30:19 Leadership Shifting Focus From Self 33:28 Effective Leadership Through Listening 37:13 Origins of Core Values 42:26 Leadership: A Transformative Progression 45:50 Bridging Leadership Culture Disconnects 48:04 Leadership Requires Frontline Support 50:38 Reflect on Leadership Feedback 10 Key Takeaways for New Managers Success begins with serving others—help your peers; they'll become your champions and advocates. Coaching is essential at every level; seek mentors and role models, and don't hesitate to learn from them. Be patient and humble; accept feedback and make corrections—that's how real growth happens. Give more than you expect to receive; generosity builds organizational trust and influence. Find out who excels in your team or company—study their habits and build relationships. After being promoted, invest in developing your leadership skills; don't wait for formal training. Role play and rehearse difficult scenarios so you're prepared for tough conversations. Make culture tangible by putting values like integrity, respect, and communication into daily action. Meet with your team members individually; discover their motivators and non-negotiables. Request honest feedback and commit to self-reflection—leadership is a continual discipline. Favorite Quotes "You can't hope to get more than you give." "Leadership isn't just a promotion—it's a discipline." "Culture is built at the top, but it's executed at the bottom." Ready to transform your approach and succeed as a new manager? Dig into this episode, grab Noel Massie's book, and start practicing—because real leadership is learned on the ground, one interaction at a time. Episode Resources https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/leadership/546-how-to-succeed-as-a-new-manager-lessons-from-ups-and-beyond-with-noel-massie Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com ________ 📣 SUBSCRIBE to the Leaders of Transformation Podcast  👇 CONNECT with Nicole Jansen on Social Media  ▶︎ YOUTUBE ▶︎ INSTAGRAM ▶︎ FACEBOOK  ▶︎ LINKEDIN