The New Manager’s Guide To Success

Taking on a managerial position is an exciting time in anyone's career, but it may also be a little unnerving if it's your first time doing so.
Moving from the position of team member to team leader calls for a mental and functional shift, and it may take some time to fully settle into your new role.



But don't worry! In this article, in collaboration with award-winning employee recognition software provider Mo, we aim to help new managers make a smooth transition and set themselves up for a long and successful leadership career.

Step into Your New Shoes with Confidence

First of all, approach your new position in a confident frame of mind. After all, your ability and experience have contributed to your appointment for this position, haven't they? You were surely chosen because your employer believes in you...

And when your team sees you come into the office with positive energy and confidence, they'll believe in your abilities and be motivated by your accomplishment. Of course, avoid overconfidence, which could make you appear arrogant.

Never Stop Learning

Just because you're in charge, that doesn't mean you know everything. In fact, you're more likely to be in a position where an assortment of new skills await your understanding, which is exhilarating to those who enjoy self-development! Learn all you can about your new role, the team you're in charge of, and the challenges you'll expect to face. you should try to speak with more experienced managers, reading relevant books and articles, or even enrolling in a training program. Being a team manager is a complex undertaking with numerous tasks, so devote the necessary time to mastering them!

Build Genuine Relationships.

Building great relationships with your team members will determine how successful you are. Make sure you understand each team member's personality; their objectives, their desires and their worries. Find ways to engage with them as individuals, each with a life outside work. They may enjoy watching sports, playing video games, cooking, or hiking in the countryside, so take an interest in them. This will make them feel more appreciated, and not just a "cog" in the machine, this will build trust -- which will boost your ability to encourage and motivate them.

Maintain Constant, Clear Contact

Good management is based on good communication. So always be clear about your objectives, goals, and the feedback you'll give -- and want to receive. Frequent check-ins and meetings with your team, especially at the start, will help everyone get, and stay, on board. You can also talk about how your team members see the future of their roles and how you can help them achieve their own goals.

Make Objectives And Expectations Crystal Clear

Make it a priority to communicate your early expectations. With true clarity, your team's efforts will be more coordinated, and you'll have a clearer picture of where you are on the road to success. And make sure these goals relate to the effort put in, that they are measurable and consistent with the overall company objectives.

Accountability is another important part of communication. You want your people to feel comfortable, but you must still get results! So sharing awareness of goals and targets will enhance focus, as everyone works towards the same goals. And of course, allowing everyone to see progress creates a culture of support; because if one of your team members begins to fall behind, other members of the team will be more inclined to help out.

Make Smart Delegations

It's easy to fall into the mindset of "if you want something done right, do it yourself," but as you'll surely know, any good manager needs to know how to assign work efficiently. It not only helps you organize your time better, but it also provides your team members to learn and progress. And check that the responsibilities you assign are appropriate for their talents and future ambitions.

Give Useful And Actionable Feedback

Recognizing and responding to constructive criticism is a great method of personal development. So you must provide accurate and constructive feedback to your team members on a regular basis. Express yourself clearly, and if necessary, condemn the action not the individual, while always providing helpful, practical comments.

In the same way, you should learn to accept criticism too! But some of your team members may not be used to providing constructive feedback, so avoid taking any comments personally and try to read between the lines when something is said that's critical.

Finally, if your team is primarily remote, your efforts to communicate need to be stronger!. Feedback, assessments, and words of advice can fall by the wayside when people aren't in the office setting, but they are probably needed more. So schedule regular check-ins with your remote employees so everyone feels they're still a part of the team. Remote employment has its obvious advantages, but it can also be alienating for some, so make sure they have your support!

Use Competence When Dealing with Conflict

Disagreements will inevitably occur in any group. Face it full on, but fairly, as it happens. Assess what people are saying, what's causing it, then discuss a solution with them. It sounds a bit strange to say, but when it's handled properly, conflict can actually help to bring a team closer together.

Make A Call With An Open Mind

A manager is responsible for making decisions that affect their team members and their actions. So it's just as important to maintain an open mind as it is to be decisive. Be receptive to new ideas and information, and be willing to reconsider your decisions. When you work with your team, you should set aside your own feelings, and be able to distinguish between professional and personal behavior.

Create A Positive Environment And Set A Good Example

Regarding attitude and conduct, team members will follow your lead. Like it or not. So you must act, and work, in the way you want your team to. Work towards making the workplace a friendly and supportive environment where everyone and anyone can succeed. Praise efforts and celebrate accomplishments so you inspire true team spirit.



Keep in mind that your team will be watching you attentively at all times, not just when you begin your new role. So show them the kind of character you want from them by demonstrating honesty, resilience, devotion, and empathy. Because the most effective way to motivate and inspire your team is to lead by example.

Make Personal Development Your Top Priority

Last but definitely not least, set a plan for your own personal growth and advancement. Determine where you can improve based on feedback from others, then set goals for yourself. If you're to be successful, you'll never stop learning and developing.

Transitioning from a team member to a team manager is a big step! Yes, there are hurdles, but this is your chance to make a significant impact on your team, and your company for that matter.
And the best way to assure success is to fully embrace your new role, build strong relationships, communicate openly, and lead by example.

Always remember that being a good manager takes time.
So your first steps as a new manager are only the beginning of a great leadership career -- provided you continue to learn, grow, and improve.
We wish you the best of luck!