> Markdown version of [/videos/1044-making-of-a-ta-manager-what-i-learnt-after-moving-to-the-dark-side?t=1380](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1044-making-of-a-ta-manager-what-i-learnt-after-moving-to-the-dark-side?t=1380). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

---

# Making of a (TA) Manager: What I learnt after moving to the Dark Side

Becoming a successful Talent Acquisition manager isn't about you anymore. Discover why ditching corporate pride for extreme transparency is the ultimate key to empowering your team.

- **Speakers:** [Amanda Lamont](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/@amanda-lamont)
- **Event:** World Congress 2024
- **Published:** August 20, 2024
- **Duration:** 29:00
- **URL:** https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1044-making-of-a-ta-manager-what-i-learnt-after-moving-to-the-dark-side

## Summary

Transitioning from a top-performing individual contributor to a first-time Talent Acquisition manager introduces an entirely new set of hurdles. Initially assuming the role would be intuitive, a reality check soon reveals "meeting marathons," a jarring lack of candidate interaction, and the intense pressures of the "sandwich of expectation"—the necessity of balancing executive leadership demands with direct reports' needs and morale.

Faced with a steep drop in employee engagement, a challenging leadership feedback workshop forces a fundamental mindset pivot: "it's not about you anymore." By voluntarily stripping away pride and corporate talking points in favor of extreme transparency, the management strategy transforms. High-visibility responsibilities are actively delegated to senior team members, shifting the leadership style from protective micromanagement to genuine team empowerment.

Practical applications of this newfound approach include leveraging asynchronous recognition to celebrate introverted employees without putting them on the spot, and actively seeking out both internal and external mentorship ecosystems. Drawing heavily on foundational texts like *The Making of a Manager* and *The First 90 Days*, the overarching insight is clear: sustainable management success is defined by relinquishing individual accolades and finding fulfillment in letting the team shine as high-performing machines.

**Keywords:** ta management transition, individual contributor to manager, recruitment leadership challenges, middle management expectations, first-time manager imposter syndrome, effective team delegation, employee engagement turnaround, leadership feedback mechanisms, managing introverted employees, asynchronous employee recognition, talent acquisition team morale, transparent leadership communication, ta stakeholder management, performance management cycles

## Chapters

1. **Transitioning from individual contributor to team manager** (00:01) — Moving from a top-performing recruiter to a management role reveals the hidden complexities of leadership.
1. **Facing reality and navigating first-time management challenges** (04:44) — First-time managers often face administrative overload and a lack of guidance which forces a transition away from hands-on tasks.
1. **Balancing upper management expectations and team morale** (08:51) — Leaders must balance demands from executives with team desires while protecting morale during uncertain times and workforce reductions.
1. **Confronting low team engagement and embracing critical feedback** (12:29) — Discovering a disconnect between personal perception and team reality requires courageously seeking and accepting critical feedback.
1. **Acting on feedback to improve team engagement scores** (16:05) — Implementing delegation, supporting introverts, and adopting radical transparency drastically improves team morale and corporate engagement metrics.
1. **Shifting mindset from personal success to team success** (19:06) — True leadership means stepping out of the spotlight and measuring success entirely by how well the team performs and grows.
1. **Practical advice and resources for aspiring people managers** (23:00) — Aspiring managers can prepare by seeking mentorship, reading foundational leadership books, and accepting that management is an optional career path.
1. **Managing introverts and navigating changes as a new leader** (25:45) — Effective leadership involves praising introverted team members appropriately and respecting existing workflows before driving systemic organizational changes.

## Related Moments

- [Transitioning from individual contributor to leadership roles](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1502-building-your-leadership-muscle-how-you-show-up-impacts-culture) (from "Building Your Leadership Muscle: How You Show Up Impacts Culture")
- [Transitioning from a software developer to a technical leader](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1002-successful-talent-development-a-joint-journey-of-executives-and-talents) (from "Successful talent development: A joint journey of executives and talents")
- [Transitioning away from dominant management with objective analytics](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1101-how-is-ai-changing-the-leadership-role) (from "How is AI changing the leadership role?")
- [Addressing insecurity and ambition within manager and employee relationships](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/326-communication-influence-for-techies-an-unconventional-look-at-conversations) (from "Communication & Influence for Techies - An unconventional look at conversations")
- [Transitioning from software engineering to team leadership roles](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1497-successful-talent-development-in-tech-a-joint-journey-of-executives-and-talents) (from "Successful talent development in tech: A joint journey of executives and talents")
- [Executive perspectives on developing employee talent and potential](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1002-successful-talent-development-a-joint-journey-of-executives-and-talents) (from "Successful talent development: A joint journey of executives and talents")

## Related Articles

- [How to be The Mentor You Wish You Had](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/318-how-to-be-the-mentor-you-wish-you-had)
- [Should Tech Managers Be Developers First? Pros and Cons](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/327-should-tech-managers-be-developers-first-pros-and-cons)
- [Women in Tech: Navigating Career Transitions and Breaking Barriers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/491-women-in-tech-navigating-career-transitions-and-breaking-barriers)
- [Building Security Champions](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/87-building-security-champions)

## Related Jobs

- [Tribe Lead - ( Software) Engineering Centre of Excllence](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1475530-tribe-lead-software-engineering-centre-of-excllence) at **SD Worx**
- [Manager, Technical Support](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1321676-manager-technical-support) at **Twilio**
- [Manager, Technical Support](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/116302-manager-technical-support) at **Twilio**
- [Manager, Technical Support](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/737543-manager-technical-support) at **Twilio**
- [Twilio's next Staff, Data Product Manager, GTM Data Science & Analytics](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1469794-twilio-s-next-staff-data-product-manager-gtm-data-science-analytics) at **Twilio**
- [Director, Software Engineering](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/186599-director-software-engineering) at **Twilio**