Tips For New Managers

In one of our team binding workshops to an International corporate, I was approached by a new manager who only started his new role as a Manager a few weeks back. This manager was finding it really hard to “connect” appropriately with his team, motivating them and getting a positive response out of them.

He says that he was about to give up and leave his position, and that this new role has been a daunting experience rather than an exciting opportunity into building a successful career in a job that he likes.

Now did you ever experience that feeling before? I certainly have!!

It is not an easy task to take on managing an existing team, that has strong minded, insightful, self-reliant, occasionally disorganised professionals that every single one of them has his own experiences and own ambitions. Even the most experienced managers might find it a daunting experience and extremely uncomfortable.

However, I am also a great believer that in order to influence people and create devoted followers to you as a leader you need to first convince yourself of your own leadership skills. Leading people involves so many skills. But, a very important skill that many professionals ignore or do not pay so much attention to is “performance”. As a successful Manager and professional, you need to work on your performance skills. You need to convince yourself firstly and the others secondly that you are here to lead and make a positive impact on you company and your team. And I can guarantee you that in no time you will earn the respect of your team members and your boss.

Your “Performance” Success relies on how well you can disguise your insecurities and anxiety. Of course in no means I’m implying is to deceive the people around you to get the respect. YOU HAVE To EARN IT!!

However, establishing a good start for yourself in your new role, will give you the confidence to move on positively towards achieving good results for your team and your career, meanwhile working towards and achieving the jobs objectives gaining respect, experience and building good solid connections.  In 2007 a study found that a bad start as a new manager was number 1 reason for professionals for leaving their jobs.

Two Golden rules you should remember:

1.       Never assume that you could make all you team members happy by solving every single problem that comes in their way.

2.       Treat your boss as a friend not as an enemy. You might not have the qualities that you desire in your boss. But, keep him/her as an “ally”.

What are the emotional Intelligence skills that you should possess?

Self-regard, Emotional self-awareness, Assertiveness, Independence, Self-actualisation Empathy, Social responsibility, Interpersonal relationship, Stress Tolerance, Impulse control, Reality testing, Flexibility, Optimism, Happiness.

Managers who are highly skilled, ambitious and intelligent, but who are struggling to get back the results that aim for, only need to consider working on their “Emotional Intelligence Skills” and I can with confidence say they will succeed.