To ask for your top tips for being a manger?

[Bixs]

I am about to start my first ever managerial position. It will be managing a team of 12 and I have previously worked along side most of them in the same team. I have the experience and the training and I’m confident I can do it but I’m just looking for any tips or advice from people around being a manager for the first time.

I’m excited but also nervous!

I thought you meant a manger in a christmas play!

It's hard work. Your time will be spent trying to diffuse situations which you have nothing to do with and you will be moaned at constantly!

Rock gently. Don't tip the baby out.

Sorry sent to early.

However I do love it and the job role is varied and no two days are the same. Good luck!

It's best to be prepared. You should always be pret a manger. ( I'll get my coat)

Be clear on expectations re deadlines, performance etc so people can't say they didn't realise.

A thank you costs nothing, neither does please.

Recruit carefully.

Give people opportunities to learn new skills if they want.

Be fair and consistent, have empathy, don’t micromanage.

12 direct reports. Avoid being upwardly managed.

Prioritise the heavily-pregnant woman travelling to Bethlehem by donkey. Sorry, OP, you’ve given me a much-needed smile tonight. Thank you!

I'd rather be the baby in the manger though but being a manger is good too. Housing the Lord and all that.

Sorry OP, couldn't resist

You will find a lot of your time being spent resolvi g conflicts, smoothing egos and dealing with stupid squabbling. Its very very frustrating.
Have an open door policy and encourage people to talk both to you and to each other, have regular team meetings, praise often and publicly, try and nip niggles in the bud before things escalate. Lead by example and get stuck in with the shitty stuff along with everyone else.

No dogs

Be aware that none of you, not you, not your team, can run at 100%, 100% of the time. Anymore than a racehorse can. Ask for the sprints when genuinely needed, understand if people cannot give what is asked for, with the best will in the world, and don't flog a horse or person already giving everything they currently can.

Spelling it wrong is a really bad start! 😁

Become an award winning actress as you will have to remain calm at all times while wanting to hit the gin and fake looking interested when dealing with even the pettiest of complaints.

On a serious note, organisation, prioritising work and ensuring the team have the information they need are my top 3. Good luck! If the company offer to send you on a training course take the opportunity, most is common sense but they can be useful.

Never ask your team to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. Be approachable. Treat mistakes as learning opportunities. Deal with problems swiftly - never put off difficult conversations. Treat people fairly but remember everyone is an individual. Don’t make people do things that are not their strengths - find out what makes them shine and focus them on that. Appreciate some of your team may he better at things than you. Always say thank you. If things are not right use the power of yet - as in “ this report isn’t right - yet”. Don’t micro manage - do support. Give them all the credit and none of blame. Don’t carry dead wood though. Communicate clearly, frequently and give clear directions and feedback. Be flexible and be human.

And look after yourself, your physical and mental health. Put your oxygen mask on, so that you can help others survive. . .

Rock gently as not to wake the baby, no harsh movements. Lol sorry OP.

Be prepared to come home tired every day diffusing situations that aren't your problem. extra workload for little benefit and constant stress day in day out. Find a way to burn it off, I like daily runs.

Treat them like adults, trust them to do well and encourage. Praise when it's due, don't micro manage. If you let them have a good work life balance and trust them you will get a team who want to work for you and will pull together when you need them.

Know the difference between moaning and complaining

Do not micromanage. Remember all the things you hated about managers when you were at the level of your reportees. Have manners, praise when they have done a great job, and never, ever take credit for work they have done.

These are all really helpful points.

Be ready to deal with insignificant issues. My husband had to deal with people wanting a window open vs people wanting a window closed.

You really have to be a people person (he is not. And transferred soon afterwards).

@LethargicLumpOfLockdownLard

Rock gently. Don't tip the baby out.

That's actually brilliant advice for a manager too 😂