My First Managerial Role. Key Learning and Takeaways of My Role at Ryanair.
Today, I want to talk to you about my first managerial experience.
Spoiler: I was fired! 😅
It all started in 2011; at the time, I was working in sales, travel industry.
With my girlfriend at the time (my wife now), we wanted to try an experience abroad.
We were in our twenties and weren't loving our life in Italy then.
My girlfriend, who recently graduated, couldn't find a job.
I was okay, earning a decent amount of money in sales, but still unhappy.
We travelled a lot during those times (mostly cheap Ryanair flights) and wanted to explore the world.
Long story short: After multiple interviews, I got a job at Ryanair as a Sales & Marketing Manager for Italy, Greece, Croatia & Romania.
Based out of Dublin, Ireland, Ryanair's HQ.
That job at Ryanair was also my first managerial role.
Like everyone approaching a first-time manager role, I was pumped up and ready for the challenge.
But was I ready? Mmhh.
60% of new managers fail within the first 24 months in their new role, according to research from CEB Global.
I stumbled across these stats, and I couldn't believe it. But it is very accurate.
Being a first-time manager takes a lot of work and preparation.
So it starts.
In May 2012, I moved and got on leading Italy sales & marketing Ryanair efforts.
The job was mainly:
Communication and press conferences for the assigned markets.
Sales with a sales goal for each country. (advertising and offline media).
Be the to-go person for the country.
It was a huge job!
It is a sort of 'country manager' role but called 'sales & marketing manager'.
As I got into the job, I realised how difficult it was and how unprepared I was.
I travelled multiple times with Ryanair's CEO, hosted press conferences, and met politicians and Italian Ministers of the Republic.
I was 28. First-time manager. First job in Ireland.
Wild.
TLDR; I was fired. I didn't pass the probation period, which was 12 months.
Despite all the efforts and everything, I couldn't make it.
Was I surprised? No.
Was I happy? No
Did it work out at the end? Yes!
Looking back over ten years later, here are my key learnings.
I'm optimistic, so I start with the good things...
Hiring:
I hired some great people. Vittorio, Giuseppe and others became not only strong professionals but also friends.
I think Ryanair also helped with a solid brand to attract young and hungry talent. (despite a questionable reputation).
Networking:
I built incredible connections within the travel industry.
Not only did I travel with Michael O'Leary and Ryanair executives consistently and get to know them, but I also met incredible people: airport CEOs, the Tourism Board, and politicians.
I met people who I would have never met in my entire life.
The best thing is that I'm still in touch with them.
But a few things didn't go my way:
My English level needed improvement, and I couldn't grasp most communication with my boss and on the sales floor.
I had limited managerial experience before (more as a team lead), and I wasn't prepared to manage a new team within that environment.
I moved to Ireland and took the biggest job of my life at that point. Too many changes at once.
But let's break it down.
Communication
Crucial.
Not only in Ryanair, but when you start leading teams, you must listen well and, more importantly, read the room.
My English level was okay to land the job, but I needed to communicate with my boss at the time in a way you get everything she said or did not say.
The communication is not only towards the boss but generally towards the room, the whole department and the stakeholders.
The fact that my English level needed to be higher didn't help show a stronger Matteo.
Ultimately, Ryanair at the time was made of mavericks and strong personalities; you can't survive otherwise.
That is why my 'being nice' or even 'being vulnerable' didn't work out.
Limited managerial experience, poor training and preparation
Funny enough, how can you be penalised for not having managerial experience if you are a first-time manager?
Yes, it is fair, but leading people is too big of a job.
I failed because I needed more preparation.
When I joined LinkedIn later, I learned the power of learning and preparation for managerial roles.
I was a self-learner, and Ryanair didn't offer an academy or coaching.
To be a manager, you must have managed or learned how to do it.
Prepare for your future role; do it as well. When you get it, you will be cruising far better than my younger self.
Multiple changes at once
Think twice to change the country and land your first managerial role.
Despite all the efforts and the support from my girlfriend and family, I had to not only 'keep my job' but also:
find an apartment
manage all the documents
open bank accounts
I would finish working at 6 pm, catching the bus and going straight to sort out some errands.
I never relaxed. I didn't even have the chance to visit Dublin.
In fact, in the first year, the job absorbed so much from me that I struggled to appreciate all the changes, like exploring a new place or country.
If you are planning to land a new job and if that job is your first-time manager job, consider doing it while everything else is taken care of.
Family, health and everything in between should support you, not go against you.
The first year will be challenging yet incredible, and you need your whole self to ride along.
Summary
Ryanair was the most challenging time but also the most important wake-up call.
Not only did I learn the difficult part of being a manager, but I also built resiliency.
I stayed in Ireland after Ryanair, and my career took off afterwards.
The fact I worked there for that year was seen very well by other companies, knowing the reputation of a 'tough gig'.
I developed my entire career and life in Ireland, and I have to thank Ryanair for that.
My kids were born there.
However, the learnings were more significant than the challenges, and I hope that if you are considering a similar career move, this can help you prepare.
Thanks for reading this far; see you next week.
PS.
Few pictures and videos 📹📸
Press Conference in Bologna airport presenting four new routes
Michael O'Leary & I. My job here was translating English to Italian in real-time in front of the Italian press.
