Let’s rewind to 22-year-old me, strutting into my first ever management job like the Beyoncé of student recruitment, ready to lead the team to victory… by sacking four people in my first week. Yes, really. And no, this isn’t a “how to inspire loyalty in your team” guide — more like a what not to do if you want anyone to speak to you ever again.

Fast-forward to now, I run my own recruitment business, leading a remote team with a totally different approach. One that (thankfully) doesn’t include binning off half the office on Day 1. Because here’s the thing: moving from face-to-face management to remote leadership will expose every micromanagement habit you never knew you had.

Let’s unpack it…

---

The Micromanagement Diaries: A Confession

Once upon a time, I was trying to impress an SLT who believed in “no phones at desks, no excuses”. I went along with it. Enforced the rules. Played manager-droid instead of David. And guess what? The team saw through it. Authenticity went out the window, and trust left shortly after.

Do I still talk to those ex-team members? Yes.
Do I still cringe? Also yes.

But hey, we learn.

---

From Office Floor to Laptop Screen: The Big Shift

Now that I manage my team remotely, my biggest fear has been: how do I support without smothering? I never want my team to feel like I’m lurking in the digital shadows – but I also know that no communication = chaos.

So what’s the middle ground?

We start each day with a check-in. Not some robotic “status report” but a proper chat. Think: what we’re working on, how the day went yesterday, who’s seen that new TV show, and what gym class left us unable to walk today. It’s human. And it works.

---

Learning to Let Go (and Trust)

The moment I knew my team had it covered?

When they started landing clients I’d never spoken to, managing portfolios like seasoned pros. Watching Jake and Mara thrive in their patches – bringing in wins, building relationships, and genuinely enjoying the process, I felt like a proud parent waving them off to university.

They didn’t just get it. They owned it.

---

Real Talk: Leadership Lessons I’ve Learnt

• People need your presence, not your panic. Don’t jump in every time something feels off – give them room.
• You can be supportive without being suffocating. Yes, even remotely.
• Mistakes happen. Unless you’re performing heart surgery, it’s probably fixable.
• Culture beats control. Every time.

---

Advice to New Leaders & First-Time Founders

Stop trying to be the manager you think you should be. Be the leader your team actually needs. Trust your recruitment process. If you’ve hired well, your team will do you proud, but only if you let them.

Have a vision, communicate it clearly, and then get out of their way.

You’ll be amazed what they can do.