The move from team member to team leader can be one of the toughest shifts at work - especially if you’re managing people you used to sit next to. In this episode, we’re joined by Hayley Curcio, Head of Learning at Mecca, to talk about what really helps first-time managers. From unlearning old habits to practising new ones (without feeling fake), Hayley shares practical ways to build confidence and lead well - even when you're still learning the ropes yourself.

About our guest - Hayley Curcio is the Head of Learning at Mecca, where she leads with one big belief: that learning at work should be practical, human, and actually useful. With years of experience across people, culture, and leadership development, Hayley’s helped hundreds of managers figure out how to lead well — without losing who they are in the process. She’s known for making learning something people want to do, not have to do.

Whether it’s helping a first-time manager have a tricky conversation or designing learning experiences that stick, Hayley brings a really thoughtful approach that’s shaped by real experience.