It’s normal to be a little nervous when starting a new management position. The best way of dealing with those fears is to hit the ground running from day one.
But how do you do that?
Here are 9 tried and tested tips for new managers to make an instant impact...
- Hello! My Name Is...
- How Things Get Done
- Quick Wins
- Be Wary of Team Shake-ups
- Identify Mentoring Opportunities
- Don't Compare Yourself to Your Predecessor
- Listen!
- Lead By Example
- Give Feedback and Constructive Criticism
1. Hello! My Name Is…
Really simple one to start. Make sure you learn everyone’s names and go out of your way to introduce yourself as soon as possible. Your team might be slightly skeptical of you in the beginning, so the best way to win them over is with a friendly first impression.
Fail to learn their name and you’ll see how quickly someone loses respect for you.
2. How Things Get Done
Whether you’ve started a management position in a new organisation or you’ve just recently become a manager, you need to know how to get things done efficiently. What’s the best way of getting something done? What’s likely to cause a roadblock? Knowing this early on stands to help you make a great impact.
Your first projects as a new manager need to be successful and having this information will make the process a whole lot easier.
3. Quick Wins
You’ve been hired to manage this team and the projects they carry out. You’ll no doubt have lofty goals for the future but we’d recommend getting a few quick wins under your belt. This can boost morale, show your superiors you’re up to the task and establish great momentum you can utilise going forward.
Pick a few smaller jobs and focus on them first.
Related: 6 effective communication skills for managers and how to develop them
4. Be Wary of Team Shake-ups
There might be a temptation to really stamp your mark on your new team and make sweeping changes to processes. Your team is just getting used to a new manager, they don’t need the hassle of major changes to their day-to-day work. Take the time to understand what’s already working so you don’t accidentally make things worse.
Often, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.
5. Identify Mentoring Opportunities
Everyone wants to feel valued and challenged at work. A good way to make an immediate impact is to identify mentoring opportunities. These can be with you, other managers or within the team itself. It’s about sharing knowledge and skills for the benefit of the wider organisation.
Giving some employees more responsibility is a great way of improving morale and better utilising the resources at your disposal.
Discover: Coaching vs. Mentoring - What's the difference?
6. Don’t Compare Yourself to Your Predecessor
It doesn’t matter if they were good or bad, popular or loathed, avoid comparing yourself to your predecessor. There’s enough work to do without the pressure of comparisons to previous holders of your role. Change is complicated for many people so expect a variety of reactions and be receptive to all of them.
7. Listen!
If you’re new to management, then the best piece of advice we can give you is to listen twice as much as you speak. We’ve all had managers who were difficult to communicate with.
To make sure you’re the opposite of that, establish an open door policy so that any member of your team can raise issues or ideas. Team members will feel valued and respected as their voice is heard.
If you're an emerging manager or a senior leader, we've got a range of leadership, management and strategy courses just for you. Book your place to avoid missing out.
8. Lead by Example
The quickest way to make an immediate impact is by leading from the front. No one’s going to follow your instructions if you don’t adhere to them yourself. This is true of all things within the business. The dress code, communications, chain of command, punctuality - set an example to others to gain credibility.
9. Give Feedback and Constructive Criticism
Regular feedback is a great motivational tool for managers to use. Provide random positive updates that the whole business can see to highlight great work from a team or individual. At some point, you’ll also have to deal with below par performance.
How you address a situation like this will be scrutinised by everyone else. Avoid any kind of public attack. Instead, offer constructive criticism privately and offer encouragement rather than rejection.
Learn how to manage poor employee performance at work in a constructive work.
Bonus: Top 5 Things the Best Managers do:
- Do have the big picture in mind - They have a strategic mindset. They know their company's business and unique selling point, and ensure that the activities of their department are always firmly aligned with broader initiatives and strategies.
- Do earn the trust of those they manage - The best managers are credible and always true to their word. In short, trustworthy.
- Do be unafraid to question their own management - In a thoughtful, respectful way, of course. A great manager should be open independent and honest thought.
- Do have consistent behaviour - People like and need routine. Problems arise for employees when a manager is changeable - for example, relaxed and upbeat one day, and then controlling and moody the next.
- Do treat their employees' time as if it's as important as their own - The best managers earn respect by being every bit as timely and respectful with their own employees as they are, for example, with their own boss. It shows they value their employees as individuals - a feeling that if honoured will be mutual.
And What They Don't:
- Don't avoid conflict - Since a lot of management involves addressing or adjudicating conflict situations, management is no place for someone who can't deal with conflict. Resolving all types of conflict diplomatically and effectively is an integral part of the job, a core managerial skill.
- Don't let the power go to your head - A little power goes a long way; it's easy to abuse. When a lot of people are eager to please you, it's tempting to take advantage. The best managers realise that power is a privilege.
- Don't play favourites - As obvious as this point may seem... most managers will admit it's normal to enjoy working with some more than others. Some people are more naturally likeable; and some always have a great attitude, while others may not have the same charm. But any tendencies toward favouritism should be resisted; it's not only unfair - it's a quick way to lose, or at least damage, the respect of your team.
Make an Impact Straight Away With Our Free Communication Skills Handbook
Whether you're a new manager or in a junior role, our Communication Skills Handbook is packed with actionable tips that you can put into practice right now. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll be communicating like a pro.
Receive your free copy now by clicking on the link below.
