People are put into a position to manage others as a reflection of their proven qualities in performance, work ethics, and their ability to help others in various ways to improve. In other words, the best advice for first-time managers should be a trust of having the ability to perform their managerial duties credibly. It’s normal to think of management as difficult as a first-timer since it requires a lot of skills to maintain or raise a given bar. But an understanding that all successful managers out there were once a first-timer in management should bring great relief.
Nearly half (47 percent) of managers take up new leadership roles without any training, according to Inc. And anyone could be in that group. The transition from employee to first-time manager is made easier by a mixture of common managerial skills like coaching, communication, motivating, and listening. Most importantly, how managers begin their regime may contribute to their rate of growth. To start strong and thrive well, here are some of the best tips for first-time managers.
Understand your business
Managers give an account of every aspect of their business. Hence, a lack of knowledge in a single area would make you a bad manager and slow down your progress. You must be ready to carefully understand what is happening in the business, from Human Resource issues to strategy and culture. Deep knowledge of the business is required to make sensitive and immediate decisions that would affect your team’s productivity and the business at large.
Don’t hesitate to ask senior leaders questions about any confusing area of the business. Strategically confirm that what you know about the business is right. Carefully keep an eye on the business metrics and priorities, and be ready to ask questions where necessary.
Empower your team and avoid micromanagement
Micromanagement makes life more difficult as a first-time manager. In fact, the real cost of micromanagement has no regard for anyone’s level of experience as a manager. Communicate your expectations and empower your team to get the job done. By allowing your team to contribute and to solve problems, you will end up opening doors for more knowledge in your management.
Achieving this would require you to carefully learn the strengths and weaknesses of each member of your team. You can easily understand how to delegate work to them and the level of support each member would require to get their job done.
Find a mentor and recognize the new relationship
One important advice for first-time managers is to find a mentor who they can always depend on for questions and support. You must choose a leader that has achieved the type of success you wish to go beyond. Your mentor should be able to handle several situations at a time. Otherwise, they may not be able to help you, at urgent times, when they are actively at work. Understand that your relationship with the employees has changed. Also, you need to recognize having a new level of relationship with other managers.
Your mentor may not be actively working in your current company. They may be someone you have previously worked with.