Your first managerial position can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. You want to show your company that you were the right choice for this promotion, but sometimes it can be hard to figure out where to start.
You may face some growing pains when you get started, so the key thing to remember is that you’re new to this management thing. It’s okay to take time to adjust to the role. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Start Studying Before the Promotion
When a promotion is coming, you’ll typically have some idea that it’s about to happen. For example, your boss might ask if you’re interested in the position. When that happens, immediately start thinking about the management styles you’ve worked under in the past. What did you like? What did you think could be improved? Your own management style, at least at first, will be a combination of what you liked from previous managers. You’ll be able to grow from there.
- Know Your Team
As a manager, everything you do starts with the people working under you. And you’ll be hard-pressed to get anything accomplished if you don’t take the time to learn about your team. That means getting to know their preferred management style, how they like to work, and what productivity looks like to them. Each member on your team is different and might require slight changes to your management approach.
It’s also important to get to know your team personally. You don’t need to ask anything too personal, but employees like to work for leaders who think of them as people instead of job titles. And knowing what is going on in their personal lives can help you understand what’s happening with their work performance.
- Trust Your Team
Alright, now that you know your team, it’s time to trust them with their share of the work. You’re going to go crazy if you try to micromanage every little thing they do. Yes, you need to make sure they’re progressing in their projects and hitting deadlines, but that doesn’t mean asking them for an update every day. Once you’ve trained them in the position, give them room to fly.
- You Don’t Have to Be Perfect
Remember, this is your first management position. There are bound to be some bumps in the road, but every great manager starts somewhere! If you don’t quite feel like you belong in this position, know that you aren’t alone. A clinical research paper put out by the Journal of Behavioral Science estimated that 70% of the population experience something called “imposter syndrome.”
As reported by NBC News, psychologist Dr. Renee Carr noted, “The term now applies to both male and female achievers who are psychologically uncomfortable with acknowledging their role in their success.” Essentially, people feel unworthy of their current positions.
But you were promoted for a reason, and you’re going to be an amazing manager. Trust that, and take things one step at a time.
Are you a new manager? What has your experience been like? Let us know in the comments section below!
