Congratulations! You made it to management after years of hard work and sacrifice. You received the raise you deserve. You got the office space you wanted. You have the title you always dreamed of. Now what?
After all, your responsibilities are different now: hiring, firing, mentoring. If you’re looking for new manager advice, you’ve come to the right place. Here are three tips for new managers to help ease the transition from staff member to decision maker:
1. Recognize that moving up the corporate ladder is a big adjustment. No matter how successful you were as a member of the team, things will be different now. Instead of focusing on a specialized task, your goals will place more emphasis on the big picture—from hiring new staff to planning an efficient work flow. The transition will require the ability to learn new skills as well as the patience to navigate the sometimes steep learning curve.
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2. Understand that management is not a popularity contest. When it comes to providing tips for new managers, this is a piece of advice no one likes to give. Even if you were the employee that everyone—from the CEO to the part-time help—loved, you’ll now be working with people who have their own agendas. And, as unfortunate as it might be, expect to be the target of backbiting, gossip, or finger pointing. Be wary of how you handle these situations, though, because a few of these less-than-nice colleagues may have the power to launch or sink your career.
3. Know that pressure will magnify your weaknesses. Whether you’re quick to anger or slow to act, those personality quirks that didn’t mean as much in the past will be under the magnifying glass when you’re a new manager. What’s worse, these weaknesses become even more apparent when the pressures of leadership start weighing on your shoulders. It’s time to recognize your shortcomings and work to eliminate them.
4. Aim high and put challenges in their proper place. Perhaps your desire to achieve was one of the reasons you were promoted in the first place. It’s a success-building quality that will take you far; but don’t hold such high expectations that the frustration of dealing with office politics or other stumbling blocks wears you down into a beaten and exhausted shell. One of the important traits of successful managers is the ability to prioritize challenges and focus on the ones that matter.
If being a manager were easy, everyone could do it. The truth is that it’s a challenge. Follow these tips for new managers and start down the path toward becoming the leader you know you can be.
Dianne Shaddock
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