5 Useful Tips to transition into First Time Manager’s role quickly
As they build and enhance their managerial competencies, the first time assistant managers find themselves doing a range of things they never thought they would do. And in the absence of a well-defined path, the transition to a manager’s role is tough and frustrating for a lot of high potentials.
So, listed below are the 5 most useful tips for the First-Time Managers so they can transition into the new manager’s role easily and quickly.
1. Have a conversation with your boss on expectations.
Understand the tangible business objectives as well as operating practices your boss and other senior executives expect out of you and your team.
Once you get a fair understanding of the expectations the senior management has from you, you will not find yourself running aimlessly in any direction like a tourist lost in a foreign land.
So, become clear on the organisation’s expectations from you.
2. Find out what your team wants to work best
As a manager, you need a great, productive relationship with your team to be able to work through and with them.
So, the best thing you can do when starting your role as a first-time manager is to identify what one thing, if changed or made better, would allow your team to produce their best work consistently and effortlessly.
And, instead of making assumptions about what your team wants, ask them in person. This will help you start on the right foot with your team members. Also, the insights that you will gain in the process will help you become a great manager who leads a world-class workforce most efficiently.
3. Communicate with your seniors regularly
A lot of first-time managers think that if they will ask questions or if they will share the challenges they are facing, the seniors would doubt their capabilities. So, they shy away from discussing issues with their seniors.
The reality, however, is different. Most of the seniors want the first time managers to brainstorm with them on a regular basis.
So, do not shy away from asking questions or sharing how you plan to address your challenges.
Your seniors have been through the transition that you are going through now, and they can help you come up with better approaches and solutions.
That being said, don’t go bothering your seniors with baseless issues, or matters. Be wise.
4. Let the change come to you gradually.
Being promoted to a new manager’s role and having people under your responsibility requires a worthwhile change in working style and routine. And most of the emerging leaders and managers try to make these changes suddenly. Consequently, they find the transition more stressful and troublesome.
The truth is that unless you are a superhero with extra magical powers, you cannot bring changes in your habits and behaviour overnight. So, let the change sink in gradually through sustained effort and careful planning.
Have a new strategy in place, and do not try to bring all the changes at once.
5. Learn as much as possible.
The first few months in a new job role are often less busy than when you get into the heat of the position. Use that downtime wisely to polish your leadership soft skills, and learn as much as you can.
Build your foundation and enrich your understanding of how to handle employees and teams more efficiently.
I suggest signing up for the Online Soft Skills Training Program. It will empower you to perform your responsibilities as a manager more strategically and efficiently.