Becoming a manager? What does a inexperienced person need to know?

[PotNoodleIsAHealthFood]

I've been approached by my superiors at work and asked if I will consider applying for a management role. I'm a bit blindsided, tbh - my current role is supervisory at a very low level, and I've only been back at work since last September after nearly twenty years as a SAHM. It's incredibly flattering to be approached like this, totally unexpected and I am having a really good day today just because I feel so respected by my bosses.

But I know nothing! I have good communication and interpersonal skills, and very good organizational skills, but beyond that, I wouldn't really know what to expect beyond hard work and long hours. Do you need to have specific qualifications for management? What's the best way to frame an application from someone who has no management experience?

I know I will be able to talk to my managers about this, but part of 'considering' even going for it in the first place is asking silly and obvious questions in a place where I don't out myself as a complete ignoramus!!

Any advice enormously well received!!

Honestly I think you'll need to have thick skin, don't take things personally. If you're the type to go home worrying yourself silly because of something someone else said I would seriously question whether you're fit for management.

The biggest question I would have is who am I being asked to manage? Do I understand their roles? If I didn't and was being asked to manage in an area I didn't know well I would wonder if I was being managed out of the business.

It's not a specific role - it was a very much more general encouragement to think about advancing my career beyond the level I'm at.

I'm very good at leaving work behind in general, and have developed a really thick skin from working in retail in customer facing roles. Never done office work, though, although I am very competent with paperwork and admin.