New job as Manager no previous experience!!!

[mumznet]

The title basically says it all

No experience of managing a team on a long term basis, only did it for a short time....

Anyone like to share some experiences to help me in my new role 😊😊😊

[daisychain01]

Are you getting RL support from your employer.? I hope they don't just "expect" you to know and are letting you just get on with it. Not having any previous experience of line management and just expecting you to lead people is a sure fire way to expose you to significant risk in your role, unless your organisation recognises this and gives you a framework from which to build up your expertise.

For example, you need to have a reasonable command of your internal HR policies - who is helping you to get up to speed?

Performance development, which will be very current now at the start of a new year when objectives are often set for staff. How are you managing this?

Communications with the staff you will line manage - do you have a plan in place of how this will happen. Your team may rely on their manager (you) to communicate and disseminate information such as corporate strategy (high level direction), on which their objectives need to ultimately map to.

You can't "train" for management in a short term way, it needs to come from a combination of long term formal courses, and on the job experience

I could go on, but the key thing is having a starting place with your own management giving you support if they believe in you, and want you to be an effective and efficient leader. Plus upholding Employment Law within your organisation and the people you are responsible for which includes recognising and dealing with bullying, being aware of Health & safety and diversity), the fundamentals of line management.

[HollyBollyBooBoo]

Agree with all of the above, brilliantly written!

Line Management of people is a real skill in itself, there are loads of tools out there to help develop your leadership skills.

Work should also train you on HR/ER processes, rules and regs which you cannot underestimate the importance of, especially if you are managing people's performance, absence etc.

[WeAllHaveWings]

Also, try to find a senior mentor who you admire as a manager to help you when you need support/advice.

[mumznet]

Thank you everyone...

Yes very informative information from Daisychain...
there is training as soon as I start.

what do you mean by 'Are you getting RL support from your employer?' what does RL mean?

The thing is I will have a more senior management I need to report to on targets the team has met so any tips how to handle that?

[Oblomov16]

Managing people well is a REAL skill that few people have. My dh is a SUPERB manager. Many people say so.
And I totally disagree with pp. I personally think that the two things that poster mentioned have minimal effect/ very limited help - Courses don't teach you HOW to manage people well, very well.
Support is very important. A good mentor is important.

[mumznet]

thank you Oblomov

does looking clever and pretending you know whats happening help :-)

[daisychain01]

Sorry RL is Mumsnet speak for real-life . In other words, people in your organisation who can support you day to day. Your first post made it sound like they are throwing you in at the deep end!

As regards management training, I have been on some brilliant in house management courses, but as I mentioned above it needs to be a combination of formal class-based or workshop style learning and on the job experience where you have to "be a manager" to real people.

We use a model called 70-20-10, which are the percentages of on the job/mentor coaching/classroom training, respectively.

[TammySwansonxx]

Read "credibility" by Kouzes and Posner. Excellent primer on leadership

[girlelephant]

Great advice from Daisy

Don't be disheartened and remember that they hired you for the role so they believe you can so it from your raw skills.

Definitely agree with 70/20/10 re how people learn best

Focus on leadership and consider your role to lead your team not just manage them. Also is there anyone doing a similar role to you and your team? If so (and they are a high performer) consider shadowing them for a few hours and having a chat with them about their current challenges, responsibilities etc.

Finally I agree with having a Mentor.

Best of luck

[daimbar]

The two most important things are measurable objectives and regular reviews.

Personally I manage how I like to be managed so give lots of praise and encouragement. I also assume most people want to progress their career so I use that as an incentive.

[WorldsSmallestPatio]

Don't shag any of them

[ThinkAboutItTomorrow]

Try not to fake too much. Be honest and transparent where you can. But don't be too British and self effacing.

Be fair and very clear in communication, don't leave too much open to interpretation or hope people 'take the hint' etc.

Treat everyone as individuals, your style of management may well need to be different with someone with limited experience, who is learning themselves and therefore open to a fair amount of direction compared to an expert in their area with a lot of experience.