While managerial changes are common in contemporary organizations, the existing body of literature tends to disproportionately focus on the detrimental effects of such changes. It often focuses on the disruptive effects caused by the departure of incumbent line managers, with less attention given to the potential advantages brought by new managers’ arrival. Utilizing a unique longitudinal data set that includes episodes of managerial change, this study identifies conditions that can lead to successful managerial transitions. In particular, We propose that a stable structure and workforce composition – modular work groups and full-time employees – can facilitate the learning processes for new managers, thereby helping them to quickly overcome the initial managerial change and potentially achieve better performance outcomes. Therefore, this research underscores that the key to successful managerial change lies not only in minimizing the disruption caused by the transition but also in effectively capitalizing on the opportunities it presents.