You just got promoted. You worked hard to get here. But, now what do you do?
If you are new to the manager level there a few things you need think about. Once you become responsible for the results of other people, it's a whole new game.
When you move to the next level almost regardless of what you do, you need to change how you go about accomplishment. As a line person, you are focused on tasks. As a manager, you will be focused on your team.
Here are five things to help you succeed as you move to the next level.
1. Never Panic. If there was ever a time to keep your cool, this is the time. Your staff will look to you not just for direction and support when things are routine and going well. But, when things go awry. They will be looking to you for confidence.
A team facing a challenge always turns to their leader not just for direction but to gain a sense of ease. They will look for your self-assuredness that everything is going to be okay.
Over the years, whenever a challenging situation came up, I have always emphasized that we are not saving lives. No matter how bad it gets, no one will die. No matter what happens, we will be fine.
Certainly there are those professions where they are saving lives. And, I tip my cap to those people. And, if there ever was a group that can keep their cool in a tense situation, it would be that group of real life-savers. Doctors, Nurses, EMT's, Firefighters and Police Officers. I salute you all.
2. Focus on supporting the team. The team performs the work, they complete the tasks. As a manager, you do what is necessary to enable them to do those tasks. You need to advocate for your team to get the resources they need to do their jobs.
This is one of the best ways to earn the loyalty of your team. If the team knows that you provide for them, advocate for them and protect them, they will believe in the mission and go above and beyond for you.
3. Let the team solve the problems. When you move up, you move away. You move away from the tasks that the team does. The further up in management you go, the further away from the tasks you move. As you move away from the tasks, you become less of an expert at completing those tasks. Your team becomes the experts where you once were.
When problems come up, ask them what they think they should do. They are closer to the problem. They have the answers. Support them in developing solutions and support them when they implement them.
This creates ownership of the problem and, more importantly, ownership of the solution. When they own the solution, they own the results. Nothing can build a team's confidence more than their ability to solve their own problems.
4. Get out of the details. There is no better way to hold yourself back as a manager than getting into the details. You bog yourself down in task-level activity while ignoring your leadership opportunities. And, your team not only does not grow, they become dependent on you to do their jobs.
Step back and let them figure it out. If they get stuck, help only enough to get them going again. Then get out of their way.
5. Make failure a learning experience. This may be the best thing you can do as a leader. Make sure that the team understands that you expect mistakes and that is okay as long as they learn from those mistakes. Nothing will hold a team back more than being fearful of the manager because they might make a mistake. They end up not trying and waiting for your constant direction and control. You limit the team and you limit yourself as a manager.
Certainly these five things are not everything you could do. The internet is glutted with information on management and leadership. Here are some the resources that I have referred to to help me in my leadership roles over the years.
Multipliers by Liz Wiseman
Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
If you know a new manager, please share this info with them. It could go a long way in their career. And, certainly, if you have an idea or two of your own to share, please leave them in the comments.
Sean
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