Moving into a Management Role? Here's 3 Action Steps

Congratulations! You've been promoted to a management role. Now what?

Here's a few things to focus on early in your new role.

Build Trust.

One of the biggest shifts in your new role is moving from getting the work done directly to coordinating and overseeing the work of others. Credibility as a leader is tied to the results you produce and the relationships you develop. And one of the best things you can do early on is establish a consistent cadence of 1:1s with each of your new direct reports. Spend the first few weeks building familiarity by simply asking "what's on your mind?" and then listening to the response. If you need more questions, I've got 8 other helpful ones here.

Assess Culture.

Your leadership style and competencies is part of what got you in this role in the first place. If you've taken the time to articulate your leadership values and behaviors, you understand the culture you're bringing to the role. But the team you're inheriting isn't a blank slate, and will interpret your early moves through their own lens colored by the previous boss, broader organizational culture, and personal temperament. Spend lavishly on the time required to genuinely listen to and understand your team. The more you understand the culture you're stepping into, the better you can modulate your behavior to shape it.

Find Wins.

Everything can be improved. Not everything should be (at least at first), but part of the benefit you can bring to a role is the fresh perspective that's unencumbered by years of "the way we do things around here." Inquire about roadblocks, review standard operating procedures, and leverage your expertise to make changes that make your team's life easier.

What's been your experience as a new manager? What struggles are you facing? Let me know.

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