As a new manager you need to be careful and make sure that you present yourself in a way that garners respect from employees and gives you a fighting chance to become accepted and respected. Employees don’t tend to like change and so they’ll often try to make life difficult for a new manager so that the manager gives up and leaves. Here’s 10 tips you need to know to make a smooth transition.
1. Develop every employee –
To take your employees to the next level you need to start by recognizing their strengths and goals, as well as areas that need to be improved. Establish individual plans. Create situations where they can learn and grow.
2. Keep emotion out –
As the leader you need always be the bigger person and that means you can’t take things personally. Keep your guard up at all times and don’t react from an emotional point of view.
3. Build bridges between departments –
As a manager you are a company ambassador. Invest time building relationships that bridge departments. Pay attention to how other departments view your departments. Work hard to build goodwill.
4. Know your limits –
You are new. That means employees will try to rattle you and seasoned managers will be condescending. As a newbie you are at a disadvantage, so don’t put yourself in a position where you’re going to lose. Pick your fights carefully.
5. Grow a mentor –
One bad manager can bring creativity to a halt, poison relationships, and decrease productivity. If you feel you are causing harm turn to a mentor who can help you turn things around.
6. Delegate –
If you are still responsible for your old tasks and now have all these management task you are going to need to learn how to delegate. You should be leading not dealing with menial tasks.
7. Be the example –
You can’t expect your employees have a certain attitude or act a certain way if you don’t, so you need to be their example.
8. Be ready to prove yourself –
Take the time to prove yourself. Don’t hide in your office, instead get busy and get your hands dirty. You’ll build respect.
9. Energize –
As the leader you set the tone so get your staff pumped up and energized.
10. Treat them like the professionals they are –
Whether you are talking sales persons, kitchen help, or any other position – every employee is trained at what they do so treat them with respect.
These ten tips are a great for new managers to get a solid footing in their new jobs. So why not try?
And remember to look for the magic that is all around you.
-David and Kylie Knight