First time in a management role? Seven useful tips

Have you been promoted to a management role? Had you been dreaming for a long time about becoming a team leader, or were you forced to take on the role unexpectedly due to circumstances within the company? If you have no experience leading people and you want to prepare for your new role, the following seven tips are for you.

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These tips were published by The Balance.

Prepare before taking on the role

You may be thinking about starting to learn leadership theory as and when you become a manager. By then, however, you may not have enough time to do so. Learn some theory before becoming a manager.

Do not underestimate the importance of soft skills

Technical knowledge on its own is not enough to be successful at management level. Pay sufficient attention also to the development of your soft skills, such as communication.

Have a script ready for various situations

A good way to prepare is to write down critical or non-standard situations you are likely to experience at the start of your new role, and also prepare scripts for how you will behave in such situations.

Get to know your subordinates on a personal level

Try to become acquainted with your subordinates on a personal level. This will help you immensely later when you are leading them.

Show sufficient authority

Although you naturally want to be friendly towards your team, at the same time you must show that you are now the boss, especially if some of your subordinates try to challenge your authority.

Do not be a perfectionist

An efficient manager must not be a perfectionist. You will not know every little detail, nor will subordinates always perform tasks exactly the same way you would. The sooner you get used to this, the better.

Learn to give feedback effectively

Providing feedback, both positive and negative, is part of the everyday agenda of any manager. This is why you should learn to do it well.

 

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Article source The Balance - a US website focused on money and career
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