A promotion to a management role is both exhilarating and challenging. While it’s something most employees aspire to be, when you’re in a manager’s position, you realise that it’s equally a privilege and a responsibility.
Before we look at what it means to be a manager, congratulations to you on reaching this stage of your career; your hard work paid off. Remember you earned your promotion, so nothing can stand in the way of your success. With every move you make, ensure you’re empowering your team and inspiring them to go the extra mile. Lead by example and be a physical representation of the phrase, “hard work pays.”
To succeed and retain your position, you’ve got to make smart moves at all times. After all, with more power comes more responsibility, and it takes just one silly mistake to mess things up for you and your team. Now that you’re a step higher on the corporate ladder, you want to make sure that your decisions facilitate your career progression even further.
How do you seamlessly transition into your new role as manager without seeming like you’re abusing power? How do you ensure you command respect and not fear from those who are under you?
Your work is easier when your team respects you but finds you approachable. Leaving your door open allows them to come to you with their issues. And since your work as a manager is to guide them through their project, their feedback helps you improve your management strategies.
You’ve got to master new skills fast, so you demonstrate to your employer that they didn’t make a mistake promoting you. Regardless of the industry or business you work in, these ten tips will help you navigate your new role as a manager.
1. Get Ready Before You Get Promoted
This tip may sound counter-intuitive, but it is a strategy that ensures you’re ready for what is to come. If you feel you’re on the cusp of moving up the corporate ladder, the wise thing to do is prepare for more responsibilities.
You can begin by reading up on the roles of a manager in a company like yours. Familiarising yourself with what you would be required to do if you get promoted makes you an even better candidate for the position.
2. Recognise That It’s a New Job
Treat your promotion the same way you would a new job because a new job position comes with an entirely different job description. So even though you’ll likely be in the same department, you won’t be contributing to the company in the same capacity as before.
The higher you move up the success ladder, the more responsibilities you’re likely to encounter, so ensure you’re ready for the challenge.
3. Learn Situational Leadership
Situational leadership is a must-have skill for every manager regardless of the industry they’re in. This skill enables you to think on your feet and keep your team on track even when you’re under pressure to perform.
4. Get to Really Know Your Employees
A good team manager knows all his or her team members by name, characteristics, and capabilities. Understanding what roles each team member plays in company projects ensures you have an easier time delegating tasks and meeting department deadlines.
5. Learn and Practice Active Listening
Active listening will save you from making grave mistakes that could cost you your newly secured job. Ensure that before you give your team the go-ahead on a project, you understand what is required of you as their leader.
6. Learn to Let Go of the Details
Many new team leaders cannot keep up with their new roles because there is so much data to keep up with. Focusing on what is working and letting everything else fall into place is what will keep you sane. You have only one brain; you can’t possibly remember everything all the time.
7. You’re a Boss, not a Friend
While you’re supposed to make an effort to know your team, this is not to say that you should befriend them. There is a big difference between a boss and a friend, and what you’re not is the latter.
8. Don’t Be Surprised by Former Co-Workers’ Issues
Getting into a managerial position gives you access to information you weren’t privy to in your previous capacity. Don’t be shocked to learn about former co-workers’ issues, as taking this information to heart might compromise your treatment towards them. Instead, embrace the fact that humans are bound to make errors whether they intend to or not.
9. Learn to Deal with Performance Issues
A team manager is responsible for ensuring that each team member contributes equal effort to the team’s success. So, if you notice one of the team members slacking, it is your job to call them out and ensure they’re back in line. Remember that a team works best as a unit, and when one member isn’t giving their best, the whole unit suffers the consequences.
10. Treat Every Employee with Respect
You may be in a superior position, but this doesn’t give you the right to disrespect employees under you. If you feel yourself falling out of line, remind yourself that a superior position does not mean you’re superior to anyone. Every employee in the company deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
Wrapping Up
As a first-time manager, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed by your new responsibilities even if you had prepared before the promotion. Rather than obsessing over the things that give you a hard time, focus on what is working, and everything else will fall into place.
Author’s Bio – Anna Johnson
Anna is a freelance writer who has been working with Domyhomework123.com for the past two years. Her tremendous contribution to the education sector has ensured more students graduate from college with impressive grades. Away from academic writing, she also specialises in business writing and contributes to different blogs as a ghostwriter. In addition, her impressive research skills have made her a sought-after writer among many business bloggers.
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