From Junior to General Manager: Teesha's Story of Doing It Scared
If you've ever looked at someone in a leadership role and thought, "They must have it all figured out," this story will change your mind.
In Episode #42 of the Get Savvy Podcast, we’re sitting down with Strictly Savvy’s General Manager, Teesha, to talk about her journey from junior designer to running the entire business. It’s a raw conversation about imposter syndrome, personal growth, and what it really takes to lead when you’re not sure you’re ready.
Starting Out at Strictly Savvy
Teesha joined Strictly Savvy in 2017 as a junior creative. With a graphic design degree under her belt, she was hired for her talent - but wasn’t ready to step into a senior role straight away. So she started small: doing design work as her core role, and jumping in to help with admin work for her design clients.
Before long, her photography background came into play, and she took the lead in setting up the company’s first studio space. That project became her first taste of ownership - she kitted it out, managed the bookings, and started attracting photography clients. It was clear: she could run something.
From Creative to Leader
As team changes came and went, Teesha stepped up as Creative Team Leader. She began managing leads and sales and developed a knack for building client relationships. She was also growing her leadership skills - without realising she was preparing herself for something bigger.
Then COVID hit.
Suddenly, the business was remote, team structures shifted, and founder Jo was preparing to step back from daily operations. One evening, Teesha casually mentioned she might be interested in stepping up as Ops Manager.
By Monday, Jo and Lance sat her down and asked her to consider becoming General Manager instead.
Becoming GM at 26
The decision came with excitement - and fear. Could she do it? Was she qualified? Would the team take her seriously?
The answer: she’d figure it out as she went.
What followed was a slow, intentional handover. Tasks were grouped into tranches and passed on gradually. There was structure - but also a lot of learning on the fly. And a steep mindset shift from being a productive, billable team member to overseeing and enabling others.
The Reality of Leadership
Stepping into leadership wasn’t just about doing different tasks, it was about thinking differently. Teesha had to grapple with the guilt of no longer doing client work, the unease of an unticked to-do list, and the feeling of not being "productive" even though she was keeping the entire business moving.
And then came the imposter syndrome. The anxiety. The doubt. The pressure.
But she pushed through it. Sometimes feeling sick with nerves. Sometimes winging it. Always learning.
Doing It Scared
Teesha’s story isn’t just about a promotion. It’s about doing something big before you feel ready. It’s about learning to lead without having all the answers. And it’s about acknowledging the fear and doing it anyway.
She shared a personal story about jumping off a 10-metre waterfall in the Philippines (while terrified of heights) that perfectly mirrors her approach to leadership: think it through, feel the fear, and jump anyway.
Finding Confidence Through Personality Insights
A big part of Teesha’s growth came from understanding herself better.
Through personality profiling (DiSC and later PCM - Process Communication Model), she realised that leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. She doesn’t have to be a stereotypical GM. She can bring her creativity, empathy, and people-first approach into the role.
In fact, Teesha is now a certified PCM trainer, helping other businesses understand their teams, communication styles, and stress behaviours more deeply.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders
Teesha's top tips for anyone who’s dreaming of something more but letting fear hold them back:
Feel the fear and do it anyway
Surround yourself with people you can speak honestly with
Let go of unrealistic expectations
Understand your personality and how you show up under stress
Because no one has it all together. And every leader you admire? They’re figuring it out as they go too.
If you’re growing a team, considering a big leap, or battling imposter syndrome - you’ll want to hear this one.
