Tips for being a good manager

[Newmenewyouu]

I start a new job soon, and it will be my first with line management responsibilities. I'm feeling very excited about the career progression but also a little apprehensive about doing a good job.

I'd love to hear some line manager top tips/articles/online training ideas that I can engage in prior to my start date if anyone has any? 🙏🏻

Stories of experiences good and bad, lessons learned etc would be really helpful 😊

The fact that you are worried about doing a good job is a positive first sign 😊 My top tip would be that there isn’t a one size fits all approach. Different people will respond to different management styles and you need to learn to adapt. Be willing to listen and learn as you go. Take any feedback (good or bad) and use it to improve or do more of what people are responding to. Good luck!

Have you read the one minute manager? It's old but a classic, can't go wrong!

Do as you would be done by.

Yep, covers it.

I manage some first time managers and the biggest mistake I have seen is not giving people credit for their work.

Also I have seen new managers be to insecure. Be confident in your own abilities - you have been hired at this level for a reason. It’s okay if the people you are managing know more about specific tasks than you - you bring a different skills set.

the best way to earn people respect is to be fair, honest, clear about what you want, and good at your job.

Be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them.
As a start I’d recommend articles on growth mindset to develop your leadership skills and develop a team.

Seek out a mentor in the organisation.

Sounds cheesy but be your authentic self, and most of all don’t be a dickhead!

Leadership and management are two different things. Get the difference clear in your head

What's the difference?

Read Radical Candor by Kim Scott. In my opinion it goes too far but it certainly gives you a lot to think about.

And yes, get a mentor not in any way connected to your job if you can. Do your parents have any friends in senior management that might be willing to have a dinner date once a month.

I'd say:

Accept you won't be perfect at it and you will get things wrong at times

Be fair with your team - no favourites, be deliberate about handing out opportunities fairly. There's always someone who will out their hand up first every time and others who are more shy, don't always go with the eager person.

Familiarise yourself with the HR policies and follow them. I always say to my teams that if they want to know what I'll do in any particular scenario read the policies. Use your HR team for advice if you're not sure.

Don't be their friend, be their manager and their leader. The difference js that managers do processes/hr stuff/etc, leaders set direction and motivate teams to deliver against objectives.

Develop a good relationship with your own manager - this will be key if you need to pursue performance management action with one of your team.

Totally agree with be authentic, this goes a long way.

Don't have favourites

The toughest part of management is dealing with underperformance.

It’s easy when the team is all delivering - but there is usually at least one member who can’t or won’t do take as requested. Tempting to ignore - but if the rest of team see this then they think why the hell should they work hard if someone gets away with underperformance. It eats away at team spirit.

if you have an issue with a team member keep good records - be open and straightforward. Establish the reasons for the underperformance, give opportunities to improve. But don’t shy away from addressing g it