Tips for new/aspiring managers

Here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re transitioning into that new role or position.

1. Don’t Let the Position Go To Your Head. Letting it go to your head can look like, “Oh yeah, I’m the one that won, I’m that guy/girl!” and getting a little bit of an attitude. So you don’t want that to happen

You want to remain humble and remain just who you are. You were given the promotion or selected for the job probably because of your skills and the way you’re able to work with others so you don’t want that to change. You don’t want that to go to your head and now be thinking of yourself as being so much greater than everybody else.

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Act Like A Manager. You are the manager, supervisor, or vice president, and you need to step into that role. For some people can be a bit hard. You may be thinking, I’m trying to be humble but yet still need to be the “boss”. To help with this, especially in the beginning, set your expectations and share them with those you manage. You can be both. You can humbly do that.

3. Don’t Pretend You Have All The Answers. Now, I know you all know this, but I see it so often… when we move into those new roles we’re feeling like we got promoted because we have all the answers.

No, that’s probably not why you were promoted. You probably were promoted because you’re good at what you do, you’re great with other people, and the other people respect you. It’s not about having all the answers. Get off of that horse, you don’t need that one.

4. Get To Know The People and Let Them Get to Know You. This is easier if you’re moving into a position where you know a lot of the people. However, even if you know a lot of them, take the time to get together with them, because now your relationship changed a little bit. You want to be more interested in their career goals. What’s important to them, what do they need from you to be successful?

It’s a different type of conversation than you probably were having before. Make sure and sit down with each person, find out who they are, what motivates them, what excites them about their job, what are their career goals and so forth.

5. Harness the Collective Power of the Group. Whatever type of role we move into, we tend to take on the whole burden ourselves. A lot of times thinking again, that since we were chosen for the position then it’s our responsibility to perform and to make sure that the team performs.

Yeah, that’s true. But you’re not doing all the work. You’re not carrying that whole burden. Take that sack off your back, throw it down on the floor and spread it out with everybody else.

6. Understand Individual Differences. In other words, respect diversity. You do want to have a variety of opinions, perspectives and so forth on your team and you want to honour those differences.

When you have variety then you’re probably going to have much more balanced synergy. You’re going to be able to come up with more ideas when you’re making decisions as a group because you have so many different perspectives and opinions that are being brought in.

You want to respect that diversity. Trying to find the differences, what each person brings, especially if you don’t know the person very well, can be difficult. Some people may hold back out of respect, especially if it is counter to your opinion or ideas. Again, you want to create space for and honour those differences of opinion. Even if it goes against what you believe in. I’m not saying you have to agree with everyone else’s opinion. I’m saying you need to hold the space for everyone’s ideas and thoughts to be expressed, discussed, explored if necessary. People want to know their thoughts and ideas are valuable.  It’s not about if they are right…it’s about being heard and respected.

7. Identify The Most Important Goals. This is going to be important and like I had said earlier when you first come in you want to make sure as soon as possible to set your expectations. Not only what can people expect from you but also helping them to understand what you see are the priorities. Sitting down and saying, “Okay, here’s what I see are our priorities and what we need to get done. These are our most important goals,” to help them understand that that’s what you are expecting.

Now, again, some people may differ on and not agree, that’s okay, that’s another conversation, but the point being in this particular aspect is that the previous manager, a supervisor may not have looked at it the same way. You may be bringing in a different perspective and they need to get on board. You want them to get on board as quickly as possible so everybody has a shared vision, shared goals and they understand what’s expected of them.

8. Manage Your Stress. It’s really important to practice right now some stress reduction. What are some ways that you keep yourself from getting stressed out? And, also start thinking about productivity.

8. Respect Long Standing Employees. Again, you want to honour and respect those people who have earned recognition for their tenure. These people hold a lot of history and a lot of knowledge. You want to make sure and respect and honour that.