How to Excel as a First Time Manager

Receiving a promotion or stepping up in your role is a great achievement. However, becoming a respected and effective manager is a challenge unto its own. New managers often feel a sense of unease surrounding increased expectation to perform, along with adjusting to the responsibility of managing those who may have previously been their peers. Managers are generally the subject of scrutiny by frustrated employees in a workplace. Building good rapport is an important first step for any good manager. These are 5 steps a new manager can take to excel in their position.

1)    Training: 

Whilst some people are intrinsically good managers whether it be through their openness, communication (especially listening) skills, confidence or their general manner, it is always worthwhile to build on your current skill set. Taking up the opportunity to undertake a course in management either within your company if it is offered or externally can have lasting profitability in the long run. You may like to consider finding a good training program and getting all of the managers in your company on board!

2)    Effective mentoring: 

A manager who is able to mentor their team effectively is able to highlight an employee’s strengths and coach them in improving their weaknesses, in an engaging and respectful manner. Besides increasing employee productivity, this will also enable employees to reach their full potential.

3)    Character Judgement: 

One size doesn’t fit all and a good manager knows it. A manager should be able to tailor their managing strategy to each individual under their instruction in a way that promotes their best performance. This is achieved by acknowledging and respecting individual differences and is reflected in an employee’s work performance as a result of increased job satisfaction.

4)    Effective delegation:

A good manager knows they can’t do everything and is aware that another employee may have more knowledge and expertise in a particular area than themselves. To delegate effectively means to lose total control. This takes trust, respect and confidence in an employee’s abilities. By using effective delegation skills, a good manager can assign the right tasks to the right employee based on what they know about each individual’s strengths, knowledge and skills.

5)    Outstanding communication:

This doesn’t just mean telling. It means listening with intent and genuine consideration, and keeping an open forum with all employees. Creating a respectful and committed communicative environment increases employee self-worth, and confidence within their manager. Again leading to increased workplace satisfaction and productivity.

The way in which a manger conducts themselves can have a significant impact on the overall morale of a team and the productivity of a company. By using our five tips to tackling a management role, you are on your way to excelling in your new position.