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Helping Accidental Managers Thrive: How to Support, Equip, and Empower Unprepared Leaders
What happens when someone is promoted into management without the training, support, or confidence they need to lead?
In this insightful episode of the Sound Leadership podcast, host Dan Boniface and leadership expert Darren Draper explore the rise of the accidental manager, those promoted for technical expertise or performance but left to figure out leadership on their own.
Darren shares his own experience of being thrust into a senior management role without guidance, and together they break down the emotional impact, common challenges, and most importantly, the tools and strategies to help these unprepared leaders thrive.
Together, they discuss:
- Why accidental managers are more common than you think—and how we’ve helped create them.
- The four types of accidental managers and how to spot them.
- The psychological and practical challenges they face in leading peers and managing up.
- What support looks like—from coaching and mentoring to training and psychological safety.
- How to foster ownership, awareness, and personal responsibility in new leaders.
Dan & Darren’s Top 3 Leadership Soundbites:
- Find yourself a coach, mentor or buddy who is there for you.
- Focus on development and growth to build capability, behaviour and confidence.
- Don’t label people as accidental managers—believe in them, support them, and help them succeed.
If you’ve ever struggled with your leadership journey—or support those who do—this episode is for you.
🎧 Tune in now to explore how we can turn accidental managers into confident, capable leaders.
We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and let us know your biggest challenge with accidental managers.
Don’t forget to subscribe for more learning and development, human resources, and leadership insights.
👉 For more leadership and coaching resources, visit The BCF Group
👉 Meet your AI coaching companion and level up your workplace at 37.space
👉 Learn more about our producers and communication experts at Media First
👉 Contact us at [email protected]
👉 Connect with the team on LinkedIn: Dan Boniface and Darren Draper
And if you want to get to know the team more then head over to The Sound Leadership YouTube channel.
View all episodes
By The BCF GroupWhat happens when someone is promoted into management without the training, support, or confidence they need to lead?
In this insightful episode of the Sound Leadership podcast, host Dan Boniface and leadership expert Darren Draper explore the rise of the accidental manager, those promoted for technical expertise or performance but left to figure out leadership on their own.
Darren shares his own experience of being thrust into a senior management role without guidance, and together they break down the emotional impact, common challenges, and most importantly, the tools and strategies to help these unprepared leaders thrive.
Together, they discuss:
- Why accidental managers are more common than you think—and how we’ve helped create them.
- The four types of accidental managers and how to spot them.
- The psychological and practical challenges they face in leading peers and managing up.
- What support looks like—from coaching and mentoring to training and psychological safety.
- How to foster ownership, awareness, and personal responsibility in new leaders.
Dan & Darren’s Top 3 Leadership Soundbites:
- Find yourself a coach, mentor or buddy who is there for you.
- Focus on development and growth to build capability, behaviour and confidence.
- Don’t label people as accidental managers—believe in them, support them, and help them succeed.
If you’ve ever struggled with your leadership journey—or support those who do—this episode is for you.
🎧 Tune in now to explore how we can turn accidental managers into confident, capable leaders.
We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and let us know your biggest challenge with accidental managers.
Don’t forget to subscribe for more learning and development, human resources, and leadership insights.
👉 For more leadership and coaching resources, visit The BCF Group
👉 Meet your AI coaching companion and level up your workplace at 37.space
👉 Learn more about our producers and communication experts at Media First
👉 Contact us at [email protected]
👉 Connect with the team on LinkedIn: Dan Boniface and Darren Draper
And if you want to get to know the team more then head over to The Sound Leadership YouTube channel.