Becoming A Manager - Prepare For Your New Role

If you're new to a management role it can be both a daunting and an exciting experience. Whether you've worked your way up and know the organisation well, or you've just applied for a new management job with a new company, there are some things you need to consider that you may not have before. Management carries particular responsibilities unique to the position that you should ideally be exploring before your first day at work.

Managers and the organisation

Depending on the size of the company, your role as manager may be as a high position of responsibility - for example, leading a small team of people in a retail outlet, or with a division of responsibility, such as being a HR manager alongside others in the same position for a big multinational. If you're starting with a new company then try, as best you can, to understand the management culture. Is it hands on or off? Are you expected to liaise with a board of directors for major decisions or can you take things on by yourself? Do the staff want a manager who is present and available all the time or can you manage them remotely? Each company is different and it will take you a while to settle into the culture of your new organisation.

Skills you should hone

First, pat yourself on the back before you think about improving your skillset. Not everyone is cut out to be a manager and you have made the grade. You have to have some skills to get to this position, and now you can build on them and learn new ones to take you even further. For example, many of us think we are good listeners, but have you actually formally learned listening skills? Whereas you may have considered that you could communicate effectively with your team, what's the feedback you've had in the past from your colleagues? You can learn from how you've been managed as to how your management style would be. Other skills you need to hone in a management role are assertiveness - unfortunately managers have to say no a lot - and also learning to de-stress yourself at work. More responsibility can cause more stress, so be prepared and ready to tackle the new levels you'll be taking yourself to.

Familiarise yourself with your team

Just because they are "your" team, management never runs just one way. Analyse and work with the team you are given to the advantage of everyone. What skills have they got? Are any missing? Do you need to recruit people or let some go? How are they performing now, and how can you make them perform even better? You must know your team in order to make such decisions - a good manager will always do this. Some team building exercises, even if you know each other well, could cement you into your new leadership role.

Remember that the management of oneself can be your greatest asset. Your new role will challenge you in ways you haven't previously thought of - the best weapon you have is preparation. Whether it's tweaking your time management or organising yourself better, as a manager, you should aim to lead by example - and make that example a good one to follow.