[throwmeaway32]

Sorry not a startup manager; but people manager at one of the bigger tech companies, hope it's still relevant to you

Main surprise was how much I had to become truly aware of exactly what I was saying and doing every moment of the work day, as the team really do start to embody what you project and that are directly influenced by you and how you act on every level. I knew this would of course be the case going into the role but seeing it play out in subtle ways of peoples behaviour is surprising. Without sounding condescending it can be like a parent, what you do becomes the standard even if you didn't intend it to be.