Sho Dewan
Leaders are not born, they’re made. It may sound cliché but it’s true, as leadership is a skill that can be cultivated through experience, learning, and adaptability. Managers play a huge role in their team’s success, as employees reporting to effective managers are 15 times more likely to be high performers, according to a Gartner survey.
Whether you’re navigating your first team meeting or making critical decisions, the first days in the role could be overwhelming. To help you find your footing in this new realm, here are three tips to guide you through and shape your path to success.
Be Transparent With The Team
As a new manager, trust is among the most important things to have within your team, and it is built through transparency. Start with having open and honest communication with the team. Share with them relevant information about team goals, company updates, and changes that may impact them. Be clear about what you know and what you don’t know.
Jessica Chen, the author of the bestselling communications book, “Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons” shares in her book how being transparent and proactive can also help bolster your credibility. And she’s an expert at doing so herself, as it was her personal branding & leadership posts on LinkedIn that led me to get connected with her in the first place!
When speaking to her about her experience working with new managers, she shared this lesson: “If we face tricky conversations at work, it’s important not to hide or avoid it. Instead, the best managers stop and think about what went wrong, when things went wrong, and how to communicate it with tact.”
“In fact, building credibility has nothing to do with your title or number of years worked. It is something that is proactive and top of mind,” Chen added.
This also means that new managers need to be comfortable with their team asking questions and providing feedback. Show that you value their input by listening and responding to them, but remember that you don’t have to implement every single one.
Some people prefer to “Fake It ‘Til You Make It”, but don’t make this the case for yourself. Pretending to be someone you’re not can prevent you from building strong and genuine relationships needed for effective collaboration.
Lead With Actions
Walking the talk when giving instructions and encouragement to your team establishes credibility and respect for you as their manager. You have to demonstrate the values, behaviors, and standards that you expect from them. If you commit to something, for example, a deadline, make sure to follow through. Consistently delivering on your promises shows reliability and integrity.
Taking responsibility, especially when things go wrong, is a mark of a strong leader. Making mistakes is not inevitable, but you must own up to them and apologize if necessary. But also make sure to have a game plan for resolving it. This will show your team that it’s safe to admit to their mistakes and learn from them, too.
Remember, 57% of employees quit because of a bad boss, so be consistent in your management style. Don’t waver your standards or apply rules differently based on your mood. When your actions consistently reflect your values and expectations, your team will trust that you mean what you say.
Treat Your Team As Humans First
As you lead your new team, take inspiration from managers you enjoy working with. They’re probably those who took the time to get to know you and encouraged you to have a healthy work-life balance by respecting your time beyond the workplace. No one wants to be seen as a robot, so make a conscious effort to understand your team’s personal goals and professional aspirations as well.
Regularly acknowledge and appreciate them for their hard work and contributions. A sincere thank you or public acknowledgment can go a long way in making people feel valued. But also be attentive when they are struggling, whether due to work-related stress or personal challenges. Offer your support by checking in privately and providing flexibility or resources. Let them know they can talk to you without fear or judgment.
At the end of the day, being a leader is more than just giving them a list of tasks to accomplish but actually guiding them toward success. And it’s only when people are genuinely cared for and valued that they are more motivated, engaged, and committed that this can be achieved.
Becoming a successful manager is not about having all the answers from the get-go but about continuously learning, growing, and adapting. Keep in mind that the most effective leaders are those who lead with empathy, integrity, and a genuine desire to see their team succeed.
Embracing these tips will help you navigate the complexities of the role and also create a positive and productive environment for you and your team to thrive. The journey may be challenging, but with the right mindset and approach, it will also be equally rewarding.
Forbes
