Getting Started as a New Manager
Hi, new manager! Ready to step into your new role? Whether you're in construction, corporate, healthcare, or hospitality, leading a team is a significant responsibility.
Feeling a mix of excitement and nerves? Totally normal!
Being a manager isn’t just about giving orders; it’s about guiding and supporting your team toward success.
But where do you begin? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back with some practical tips to help you kick off on the right foot.
Here's our top 5 tips for new managers:
1. Listen up:
Before you start delegating tasks, take the time to listen. Whether it’s the CEO or the newest employee, pay attention to what they’re saying. This helps you grasp what’s important in the company and how things operate. Want to learn more? We have some extra resources on this topic under our article “Why Good Team Relationships Matter”.
2. Know your goals:
What are your bosses expecting from you? Understand what success looks like for you as a manager. Is it meeting sales targets, delivering projects on time, or ensuring customer satisfaction? Knowing this helps you focus your efforts and demonstrate your value.
3. Find your style:
Every manager has their own approach. Maybe you’re the energetic, go-getter type, or perhaps you prefer a more laid-back approach. Understanding your management style helps you connect with your team better. However, remember to adapt your style to different situations as needed.
4. Ease into changes:
While it’s tempting to shake things up right away, take some time to familiarize yourself with the existing processes. Your team likely has valuable insights, so listen to their input before implementing any major changes.
5. Embrace mistakes:
It’s inevitable that you’ll stumble along the way, and that’s okay. Making mistakes is a natural part of learning and growing. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Instead, use your missteps as opportunities for growth and improvement.
Remember: be bad until you’re good, and good until you’re great!
Taking on a leadership role might seem daunting, but remember, you don’t have to have all the answers right away. Observe, listen, and learn from your experiences. And above all, remember that building strong relationships with your team is key to your success. You’ve got this!
Here are some additional resources to help you get started!
LinkedIn provides a wide variety of career and hiring advice articles, and in this one, one of their contributors provides a list of 7 things new managers could aim to achieve in the first month of their new role.
Kootenay Employment Services has an article with our tips for creating a fantastic workplace culture.
Indeed is a job-seekers’ website with job postings from across the world. Their article provides their top 12 tips for new managers include management tactics, interactions and working relationships with your staff, and more.
Kootenay Employment Services has an article with our tips for why good team relationships matter.
