#46 Blog. Why I Decided to Build RiseBud- the First and Only Platform for First-Time Managers’ Development

It always starts the same way: A high-performing individual contributor gets promoted to a management role. They're bright, motivated, and capable- but suddenly, everything changes.

Now they’re expected to lead, inspire, delegate, give feedback, navigate conflict, build trust... and they’re often doing it for the first time, without training or support.

As a leadership development consultant and HR leader, I’ve watched this moment unfold time and time again. I’ve seen first-time managers lose confidence, question their place, or simply try to copy what they think leadership should look like- without ever being given the space to explore and grow into their own voice.

And I realized something: this is one of the most critical gaps in leadership development today.

First-Time Managers Are the Backbone- But Often Left Behind.

We invest in executives. We design programs for senior leaders. But the people who shape the daily employee experience- who build culture in team meetings, 1:1s, and hallway conversations- are often left to sink or swim.

That’s not just a missed opportunity. It’s a costly mistake.

Leadership isn’t instinctual. It’s a learned practice. And first-time managers need- and deserve dedicated support, tools, and community to navigate their first steps into leadership with confidence.

Why I Built RiseBud

I created RiseBud to solve this exact problem.

It’s the first and only platform designed specifically for first-time managers- a personalized learning and growth environment tailored to each manager’s unique challenges, AI-driven. With Maor Shlomo's brilliant Base44 platform as our foundation, there’s no limit to what we can create.

• ✅ Built on proven leadership theories—from Situational Leadership to Psychological Safety and Growth Mindset—it offers not just tools, but frameworks that guide real decision-making.

• ✅ Personalized for impact—because no two managers are the same. Whether someone is struggling to give feedback, build team trust, or lead peers, RiseBud offers targeted content, reflection prompts, and action plans that evolve with them.

• ✅ Powered by AI, it adapts in real-time to the manager’s behavior patterns, learning needs, and real-world dilemmas.

Why Now?

Because we’re at a turning point.

Organizations everywhere are realizing that culture isn’t shaped in boardrooms—it’s shaped in day-to-day leadership behaviors. And first-time managers are at the center of that.

When we invest in them early, we unlock long-term impact: better teams, stronger cultures, and more confident, resilient leaders.

Let’s Raise a New Standard for Leadership

If you believe first-time managers deserve more than a “good luck” promotion…If you want to retain your top talent by helping them thrive, not just survive…If you’re ready to shift from reactive to intentional leadership development…

Welcome to RiseBud—The first and only AI-powered, research-based, personalized platform for first-time managers’ development.