Nailing your first management role: A guide
Going into a new management position for the first time can seem daunting. Managers need lots of skills in order to be successful, including being curious, enthusiastic and being good at managing the bad times as well as the good. Below is some advice that will help you become an amazing boss:
Be Enthusiastic
Managers not only need to hold the correct skills and competencies in their job roles, but they also need to be enthusiastic about the role too. Enthusiasm, the ability to work in a team and a thirst for learning new things can get you a long way as a manager. An employee who has these qualities is much more likely to be employed than someone who has the knowledge but no drive behind them. If you get the job, it’s important that you continue to be enthusiastic as you will spur your colleagues on to work harder and achieve their potential.
Good Management is Good Decision Making
Once you are a manager, you will have a lot of important decisions to make. You need to ensure that you look at them through a variety of different angles and that you’ve taken into perspective other people’s ideas. Think about how the decision you’ve made will sit within the organization: your peers, your team, your bosses, external stakeholders, etc.
Management is a New Skillset
In most businesses, people are promoted into management because of how well they have worked in their original job roles. However, being a manager is completely different from being a salesperson, for example. Before going into management, ask yourself: what experience do you have? Have you taken charge of projects in the past? Do you have the correct qualifications?
Most employers realize that you may need some training before you start your new role. Corporatecoachgroup.com offers a brilliant leadership and management training course that will help you get started in your management career. If you undertake this course before applying for a management position, it would show any prospective employers that you are willing to put time and effort into learning and your career.
Consider Your Peers
If you are promoted, there may be some resentment felt between you and your peers. It’s a great idea to talk about this openly with the person in question. You do need to be recognized as a manager so you can’t pretend that nothing’s changed, but equally, you need to treat them with respect and don’t take being a manager too far by changing who you are.
Time Management is Key
Time management is just as important as people management skills. It is important to set your team deadlines for when work needs to be completed. Make sure you delegate tasks effectively and use the resources of your team. Finally, try not to work too many hours a week; working too many hours will lead to you being de-motivated and having no energy.
Becoming a manager is both an exciting and daunting experience. Remember to be yourself and talk to your team in a friendly, enthusiastic manner. Ask for support from other managers if you’re feeling overwhelmed. After all, everyone has to start somewhere. Good Luck!
