Tuesday Tips: 5 Quick Lessons for First Time Managers
You’re a brand new, first time manager on the scene—and you don’t want to blow it. What’s your strategy, vision, and game plan for starting this season of your career off right?
If you’ve got no idea where to begin, we’re here to help! We’ll be doing a two-part blog post about 10 things you need to do when starting our your managing career.
Today we’re going to hit on the first 5 which focus on the introductory stages for first time managers:
- Learn your trade: Sometimes it feels right to wipe the slate clean and completely start over—that doesn’t mean it’s your best option. Listen and learn the business from someone who has already been there. You need to mature right along with your position—you don’t want to hurt before you really know where to help.
- Get to know your team: It’s easy to assume everyone’s personalities right off the back, but you need to meet individually to build that solid foundation for trust and respect.
- Set your ground rules: You’re not here to uproot the entire system, but setting some firm objectives will help guide your team in the direction you are hoping to take them. It may actually bring comfort to your team to know that you’ve got a plan and you are excited about it!
- Performance development: Once you get to know your employees a little better, make a development plan for each of them. You want them to be proud of what they do and take them to the next level in their career. Find opportunities for ownership and contribution on their end.
- Recognize restraints: You may not realize it yet, but you’ve got limitations in your new position. Everyone is watching for your failures and you’re at a great disadvantage. Yes, you will make mistakes—remember that you will also have great victories. Don’t go for the gold before you’re sure you’ve properly trained for the race.
Start strong with these first five areas and you’ll be headed in the right direction. Being a new manager is a lot of responsibility and can be difficult when you’re working with people of all ages. Don’t let that be a factor—know your stuff and you won’t let the people down.
Finally, if you would like to learn more about WorkCompass and how our performance management software can elevate your team’s performance. Please get in touch today and request a demo.
