Pressure at work starting to get too much

[ilovemy2babies]

Hi just need some advice off people. Im currently training to be a duty manager have been for the past 6 months, its all been going well and ive been enjoying it, yes its been hard at times but ive coped through it all.

Anyway im near the end of my training and the pressure is increasing ive got alot on my mind with things that need to be done before i can get signed off. Im struggling with some areas of the business because i know little about it and the staff i feel dont support me they just come to me with problems that i know nothing about and expect me to deal with them (when my manager is away).

My manager has alot of pressure on at the moment and is giving me extra responsibilities which is usually great but at the moment i just dont feel i can take anymore on. Which then makes me think am i suitable for the job?

I just feel abit like im stuck in the middle with pressure from my manager and staff expecting me to know everything :(

I just feel like im getting nowhere and its upsetting me now. I want to be my best but i just feel like the pressure is too much at the moment.

Have you spoken to your manager about how you feel? It sounds like they don't realise how much pressure you're under.

Would you be able to meet with your manager to discuss this, and perhaps arrange to have a chat about the bits you don't know about?

Good advice to talk to your manager - and also a good technique I have learnt in the years is to help and encourage your staff to go and find out about the problems themselves, when possible.

For example you could say "have you thought of trying so and so at this department? Have you thought about x y and z?"

It's often a habit to "just go and ask the boss" rather than being proactive and finding out by themselves or taking responsibility for things.

It's called "effective delegation", some people are masters are it, but it's one good lesson to learn for good management. Just a thought and sorry if it doesn't help!

Push back on your manager and pass some of the questions on if you don't know the answers.

Do you have a mentor or could you ask for one - might help with gaining understanding of the areas you are unsure of - if not, try to arrange one to ones with people in these business areas to help increase your knowledge.

Do you know any fully trained duty managers? Having more experienced friend / colleagues that you can tap for advise, information and bounce ideas off can be really useful even when you are fully up to speed!!

A great tool that someone taught me when I was in a similar position many years ago (it was lack of experience and age going against me then)..

When they come to you to solve a problem..ask them what 3 options/answers do we have?..when they list 3, ask them which they think is the best? (and if it is not too far out)...then say great, go for it..this way you are helping them to come up with the answer, and empowering them to think for themselves...the staff may just be used to getting answers, (or confirmation of what they know is correct)..

I would also talk to your manager, and ask for their support, I did not do this until too late, and was poorly until it was addressed