Manage others the way you would like to be managed.

Brianna Paton • September 26, 2019

A few insights for those who are stepping into their first-ever managerial role.

 

Having worked placing candidates within creative agencies for the last four years, some of the talented people I placed in Junior roles back in the day are now stepping into management positions.

This is an exciting and potentially daunting time and I thought it might be a good opportunity to share some of my experiences talking to candidates about their preferred way to be managed and hopefully provide a little insight.

 

Learn to let go.

I hear this one almost daily. Micromanagement is a sure-fire way to demotivate any staff member. It can leave your juniors feeling belittled and in extreme cases, powerless in their working environment. It also goes against the entire reason you have a junior report, to take work off you, not create more work for you.

How do you know if you are doing this? Learn to let go. Have faith in your junior(s) when delegating tasks with an expected ETA and instructions then sit back and let them do their job. Feedback is important once they have completed the task and if you need to give criticism make sure it's constructive and also coupled with some positives to boost their confidence. If you don’t see improvement moving forward you may need to look at the way you are briefing or delegating and ensure they are understanding your instructions. Remember not everyone receives information the same way!

 

Communication is a two-way street

You may need to use a bit of trial and error when determining the most effective way to communicate with your junior report. Is it a weekly or daily catch up? Is it face to face or a written task list?

Communication is key and making sure you are using the best methods to avoid any confusion is important. Investigate what you find to be most effective and then make this into a routine. Constancy is just as important as the communication itself.

 

Be approachable

You can’t schedule all communication; there will be times that sh*t hits the fan and you will need to be there as support if the situation is elevated. This requires you being approachable, so your report feels comfortable putting their hand up when things aren’t going right. This means you will have the opportunity to help them get back on track before the damage becomes long term and then the finger is pointed at you because remember, ensuring they are doing their job correctly is your job!

 

Celebrate the wins

As well as supporting and being approachable during the hard times it’s super important to celebrate the wins and promote positive reinforcement with your team. This can be anything from a “job well done” pat on the back, an email sent around the office praising their efforts, to a team lunch to celebrate and also bring everyone closer on a social level.

 

Remember you are their manager, not their friend

Boundaries in this relationship are very important and while we encourage healthy working relationships, in the early days it’s best to maintain a professional relationship. As time, trust and maturity grow you can begin to share more personal parts of your life but always maintaining your professionalism. This will have a direct impact on your juniors’ level of respect for you as a manager.

 

Know when to say no

There’s being approachable then there’s being taken advantage of. If you are too lenient on your report some (not all) will take advantage of this. This includes annual leave days, flexible working arrangements, punctuality and general fulfilments of the role requirements. If you are noticing a consistent lack in this, you may have to use your management authority to remind them of their job description.

To follow protocol, we suggest a face to face catch up to humanise the experience. Always make note of this in your files in case you need to reference in future. Failing improvement, you can move to a written warning and then followed by a performance management plan. Work with HR or senior management to put this in place.

 

Know who to ask when you don't have the answers

There may be moments when you don't know the best way to support the people you manage, and that's ok! Just make sure you know where to turn. This could be as simple as asking your own manager or HR team.

Alternatively, you may find the need to contact an external organisation with specialist knowledge. This could be as easy as calling your chosen recruiter for market-specific recruitment advice, or maybe an organisation such as Black Dog Insitiute, an organisation iknowho partner with. They provide free resources to help you to spot early signs of mental health issues and promote wellbeing within your team.

 

Overall, if in doubt remember back to your early days and those managers who had a positive impact on your career. You have the chance to make a real difference in this person’s life so even if your previous experiences weren’t that great – to quote Gandhi: “Be the change you want to see in the world”. 

 

For any further information or advice contact iknowho for a confidential chat.

By Kristina Gerdov November 26, 2025
The final months of the year can feel like a sprint for many marketing teams. Campaigns wrap up, planning cycles ramp up, and suddenly there’s more work than hands to deliver it. If you’re feeling the pinch, a short-term freelancer or contractor might be exactly what your team needs - fast, flexible support without the long-term commitment. How a short burst of talent can keep your projects moving: 1. They hit the ground running Freelancers and contractors are used to adapting quickly. They step into new environments often, so onboarding is light-touch and momentum stays high. Short term freelancers are available and can usually start within a week. They offer the flexibility and agility needed to meet rapidly changing workloads & high project timelines. 2. Perfect for “we just need this done” projects From content bursts to campaign delivery, CRM builds or social execution - project-based specialists can take something off your plate entirely. Their diverse experience working with different businesses and brands results in also bringing a new perspective & injecting fresh energy into the team. 3. Flexible, budget-friendly resourcing Short-term contracts give you the expertise you need only when you need it. No tied-up headcount, no long commitment and using our payroll services can help you get around head count issues too. 4. They help protect your team’s bandwidth Instead of stretching your people thin (or risking burnout), temporary support keeps things moving without compromising quality. Many agency suits and marketers build a career through freelancing. 5. Competitive Rates iknowho freelancers are paid a day rate which includes a loading for leave entitlements. There are no upfront fees, you only pay for the days they work. Download our salary guide for day rate equivalents, or use our day rate calculator here . Where we’re seeing the highest demand Campaign execution & go-to-market support Content, social & creative delivery Email, CRM & lifecycle marketing projects Generalist marketers to support BAU Project managers for short sprints Marketing operations support The real benefit? Momentum. Short-term freelancers keep work flowing during the busiest, most pressure-filled periods. They make sure nothing stalls and that your team stays focused on the high-value work only they can deliver. If you’re weighing up whether temporary support could help, the answer is usually yes. And we’re here to make it easy. Reach out to one of our experienced Talent Partners to discuss your needs today.
By Kristina Gerdov September 3, 2025
For many growing businesses, marketing is often something that gets added to the to-do list of already busy managers or existing teams. A social post here, an email there, and maybe a campaign when there’s time. But without dedicated expertise, marketing rarely delivers the consistency and commercial results your brand needs to grow. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time to bring in a dedicated marketing resource, here are the key things to consider and how to ensure your first hire is set up for success. 1. The Telltale signs If your demand generation has stalled, you’re struggling to convert interest into sales, or your brand presence feels disjointed, it’s time to stop relying on ad-hoc efforts. A dedicated marketer can build and execute a strategic plan that drives consistent results and positions your brand for long-term growth. 2. What to avoid It can be tempting to look for a “jack-of-all-trades” who can do a little bit of everything. The reality? Even the most talented marketer will struggle without clear goals and defined outcomes on what the business is looking to achieve. Hiring without clarity can lead to underwhelming results and frustration on both sides. Be specific about the expertise you need and the outcomes you expect. 3. Why this hire is so important to get right Your first marketing hire is more than just another role, it often lays the foundation for your brands future growth engine. The right hire can build momentum and shape how your future team evolves. The wrong hire however, can stall progress, waste budget, and leave you back at square one. 4. Fractional vs full-time Not quite ready for a permanent commitment? Fractional marketers can be a great short-term solution to get things moving while you build the case for a full-time hire. Just be clear on their remit. Fractional marketers are ideal for campaigns, projects, or interim support, but they’re not typically suited to long-term brand building or team development. 5. What kind of marketer do you actually need? Marketing as a discipline is broad, as are the tools used to reach your desired target audience. Do you need someone to drive digital acquisition, manage partnerships, develop content, or build brand strategy? Start by clarifying your business’s biggest priorities and pain points, then match the skillset accordingly. The clearer you are upfront, the better the outcome. 6. How to set them up for success Hiring the right person is only half the job. To see results and maximum impact, you need to set your new hire up for success. This means: Clear KPIs so they know what good Vs great looks like The marketing tools and access to the resources they need to deliver  Integration into cross-functional conversations with key decision-makers from day one Bec Godkin, Senior Talent Partner says “Marketing can’t succeed in a silo. The deeper your marketer is connected across the business and understands the various levers that shape success, the greater their impact will be” Hiring your first marketer is an exciting step - it signals growth, ambition, and the desire to build something bigger. By being clear on what you need, avoiding common pitfalls, and setting your hire up for success, you’ll give your business the best chance to thrive. At iknowho , we specialise in helping brands make their first marketing hire. If you’d like to talk through what kind of marketer is right for your business, we’re here to help.
By Kristina Gerdov June 25, 2025
Discover what a Fractional CMO is, the benefits they bring, and how to know if hiring one is the right move for your business.
more posts