340: Equip First-time Managers to Lead

What can you do to set up your frontline leaders for success from Day 1? This episode with Matt Gjertsen explores the essential skills and strategies new managers need to transition smoothly from individual contributor to effective leader. Find out how to help them shift from being the “answer person” to empowering their teams, asking better questions, and building trust that leads to stronger results.

Matt shares specific ways to guide new leaders in interviewing and hiring, holding meaningful development conversations, and setting realistic expectations around career growth. Whether you’re supporting first-time managers or looking to strengthen your leadership pipeline, you’ll gain actionable tools to help them thrive and positively impact their teams.

Matt is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and a former Air Force Instructor Pilot with 2500 flight hours. After leaving active duty, he spent over 4 years at SpaceX, leading the training and development team, before founding Better Every Day Studios in 2021. Matt has continued his career in the U.S. Air Force Reserves as a Lt. Colonel supporting Space Systems Command.

Matt’s 20 years of experience working with and leading high-performing teams all over the world have given him a unique perspective on what it takes to lead teams in this ever-changing world. He and his team at Better Every Day Studios are on a mission to train better managers, build better companies, and create a better world.

You’ll discover:

What new leaders need to navigate the shift from individual contributor to manager
How to coach them on interviewing and hiring using the 70-30 rule
Why development conversations should focus on growth, not just tasks
How to set clear expectations around promotions and career development
Ways to help new managers balance reinforcing and redirecting feedback