3 Top tips for new managers

Rachel thought long and hard before applying for the management position in her team. She knew she was ready for the next step, but getting the job would mean Rachel would have to manage some of her close friends, not to mention two fellow colleagues who were also going for the same job. “It’s now or never” she thought.  Rachel took a massive glug of wine and began to update her CV.

Two interviews later and a stone lighter with worry, Rachel was offered the position of Team Manager within the Clinical Negligence department.

If I were to meet Rachel, I would take her for a brew and explain to her that a few things were about to change over the coming months. Here are just a few:

1) She will almost immediately stop getting invited to the pub on a Friday afternoon.
2) She will have to start making all her own brews. (Who knows what the team are dipping into her brews).
3) She will have to either sit on her own for lunch or move to the boring ‘Big Wigs’ table.
4) She was once the one telling all the jokes but from now on, she’s likely to be the butt of them (never to her face though, always behind her back).

Of course, I’m only joking, well, apart from 1, 3 and 4.

Are you currently feeling like Rachel? Here’s some tips from me to help you cope with your first three to six months in a new management role:

• Don’t dive in –Use the first few weeks/months to observe and listen to the team. You’ll have your own ideas about how things should run but don’t jump in. Not only do you have to adjust to your role, but everyone else does too. You’ll get peoples backs up if you do things too soon.
• HELP! –Don’t be scared to ask for help from the other members of the management team. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness and they’ve all been where you are now at some point. Tap into their knowledge and experience and keep an open mind.
• Teamwork –Don’t push your team away. Use them to come up with ideas and suggestions about how the team should move forward. Tapping into your team for ideas is a great way of building trust and credibility.
• Trust them –Don’t feel like you must micromanage everyone. Let them crack on. By micromanaging them you will undoubtedly create a culture of distrust.
• Be Patient– Rome wasn’t built in a day. Don’t expect too much too soon. Implementing your methods will take time and lots of patience.

Here’s wishing you all the very best of luck if you’re currently finding yourself in the same position as Rachel.

Here’s our very own Mike who provides 3 tips to help you survive those early days 👊

3 Tips for new Managers