If you are about to be promoted or have taken up a new role as a manager then you may well be feeling a little daunted – after all managing people is a scary thing right?
Well it’s not that bad. It’s just different and as you’ll find out it requires a different set of skills.
So here’s three tips to set you on your way.
Management tip 1
Be clear what your success metrics are.
Have a serious chat with your boss around what they will be measuring your effectiveness on.
Expecting to be successful without understanding how that success will actually be measured is like setting out on a journey without knowing what your destination is.
You may get there but more likely you’ll just drive around using up fuel.
Make sure your boss spells out exactly how they are measuring you and then repeat it back to them to make sure you are both hearing the same thing.
And don’t put up with the old “we’ll discuss it later” routine because you never will.
Management tip 2
Take a second to think about what you want your team to look like.
By now you’ll have your measures of success from your manager so you need to translate that into what that actually looks like on the ground.
What resources do you need?
What behaviours do you need your team to be exhibiting?
What is the gap between where things are now and where you want them to be?
Make sure you’re realistic though.
you have to be brutally honest about the capabilities of your team and yourself.
If you are going to need help and support then ask for it in good time.
Management tip 3
Open your eyes and shut your mouth.
You probably don’t have the experience and skills to start gobbing off about how brilliant you are yet. You will one day but bide your time.
Instead watch your peers.
Who are the good managers and who are the awful ones?
What things do the really great managers do that you can emulate or adapt to your situation.
And don’t be shy about asking their advice or why they do certain things.
If you start off by saying “I’ve noticed you’re an outstanding manager and I’d like to learn more about…” then who is going to complain?
And the best tip
A great line from one of my favourite books
DON’T PANIC!
You’ll be fine.
Just keep learning, accept that there will be some false starts along the way and you’ll end up being an awesome manager.
If you like this then you’ll love my Tip of the Month! It’s free and might just be amazing but you’ll never know unless you sign up.
OOH and why not check out my ‘The New Manager’ course. It gives you everything you need to be awesome. Show it to your boss because I bet there’s a load of people in your organisation that could benefit.