Are You A New Manager? Just got promoted? Management can be a difficult course to go through but with the right tools it’s achievable. Here are six things managers should know to ensure success.
1. Be Patient.
You don’t have to change the world right away. Take the first 6 months as an opportunity to learn. Learn the culture and learn the people. You can’t fix what you don’t understand, so take your time to understand the position and environment that you are in. You’ll gain people’s trust and you’ll get a lot further when your team trust you than when they don’t. I’ve had a few bosses in my career and I can say the ones that have succeeded are the individuals that showed they are trustworthy. They made it because with trust comes support. You can’t underestimate the value of a team that supports you. They will go to the ends to make you succeed because if you succeed ultimately they succeed.
2. Sell the Goal.
Your goals don’t have to be a secret. It’s actually better to have clear and open goals that everyone is aware of. As a new manager it’s important to set realistic goals and get the buy-in from not only your boss but also your employees. If you’re all aiming for the same goal you’re less likely to have friction. Remember though your leading the boat and your employees are the individuals that are rowing that boat. If they are rowing in a different direction than where you want to go, you’ll all get nowhere. Sell the goal to them. Let them know the importance and how they will benefit from the goal. You’ll get a lot further when you have a team working with you.
3. Respect > Fear.
Set a tone of authority, but don’t become a dictator. There are so many people who mess this up because they feel they need to be THE BOSS. “It’s my way or the highway.” I can guarantee you that mentality will not get you very far. Yes, you’ll strike some fear amongst your team. Though fear can be a motivator, it is a negative motivator that eventually leads to low morale, lack of loyalty, and low retention. You need to be respected but you also have to show respect.
4. It’s Lonely At The Top.
Yes, the saying is true; it is lonely at the top. Before you were a manager you were able to be-friend your co-workers. Maybe go out for drinks or daily lunches. Well all that goes out the window once you’re a manager or get promoted. Group lunches quickly turn into solo lunches. You’re no longer part of the inside jokes, and people just wont be as open with you. Don’t let this get to you. Seek out other managers that you can collaborate with. It may not always be easy but remember, you wanted this, and you’re going in the right direction.
5. Trust Your Team.
You are not in it alone, so utilize the resources around you (aka your team). They are there for a reason. For managers, it’s important to delegate and trust that your team will be able to do what they’ve been hired to do. If they can’t, then it is your job to train them to reach the level in which you can trust them. If you are able to delegate and trust your team, you will have more time to focus on the things that will excel you to the next level and impact the big picture.
6. Be Genuine.
Show that you are human and not a robot. It is easy for managers to get into robot mode trying to increase productivity to prove that you are qualified for this role. That’s ok to a degree, but you can’t forget to show some humanity. It can be as simple as saying ‘please’, ‘thank you’, or ‘great work’. Those simple phrases can move mountains for you. Showing appreciation and gratitude counts.
Now that you have these ‘keys’ to management success, apply them daily. Management is not an easy journey but these tips can help get you going in the right direction.
