To be more assertive at work

[TheNewMeToday]

How? I have recently being promoted to manage a bunch of overpaid, arrogant, bullish group of salesmen. I should not have taken the job but I was the best candidate and if I didn’t, one of the might have done, so I just jumped to avoid reporting to any of hem potentially. Money is also more than I ever had and I have two generations dependant on my help, I am in the sandwich period.

Now I am winning with some but feel constantly undermined by others. I must either change the job or find the guts to challenge them as I should. But I feel insecure and don’t like confrontation. If I don’t get this under control soon, I may soon be shifted. Anyone been through this and what have you learnt?

Remain calm at all times, keep your face, tone and volume neutral. Men sometimes try to provoke an emotional response, then latch on to that.

Be factual, clear and explicit in what they are doing right and what they need to improve.

Follow your company processes to the letter, if you advise them of an improvement they need to make, and they don't do it, document that, formalise it and work with HR to ensure that you are setting SMART objectives that cannot be misinterpreted.

Be willing to work through a period where you may hear that people are bad talking you, you will rile them up if you address the issues and it's likely you will not be popular. If it crosses the line of acceptable behaviour address it, take action and make it clear it will not be tolerated.

Forgot to say (ironically) that when you are taking action against a few people like this, it can be seen as negative on your part, so it is incredibly important that you also praise those who are performing well, that you celebrate team success and you identify those who have capability to progress and succeed. Show everyone that you are reasonable and are willing to support career progression.

Thank you.