Getting promoted to a management role is a big achievement. But adapting to your new role may take some time. After all, you have a lot of new responsibilities and you’re under higher pressure to perform. What’s more is that many of the hard skills you relied on to help get you there may not be the same soft skills you need to be an effective manager. Much of your success will rely on your people skills, i.e. your ability to build strong and productive relationships with both your employees and company leaders. So what can you do to help make a smooth transition? Here are some tips:
1. Work with HR.
Work closely with your company’s HR department. Make sure you take advantage of any resources, support, or training programs they offer to new managers. Also, make sure you understand all the HR policies and procedures you are required to follow as a manager and in which kinds of situations you need to contact HR (for example, if you are having a problem with an employee).
2. Get to know your employees.
Connect with each of your employees, face-to-face and one-on-one, within the first couple of weeks. These people are your most important assets and so it’s important to understand who they are, what they do, and what motivates each one. It’s also a good time to discuss their career goals and any obstacles they are facing. Make sure they have the materials, information, and tools they need to do their jobs successfully. At the same time, explain what you expect from them and let them know they can come to you with any questions or concerns.
3. Get to know your own supervisor.
Make sure that you keep your own supervisor informed about progress. So get to know your supervisor, as well as his or her preferred style of communication. For example, does your supervisor expect daily progress reports via email, or does he or she like to sit down and meet face-to-face once a week?
4. Plan and organize everyday.
Everyday, review the progress of each task/project you are responsible for so that you can monitor performance and take corrective action if need be. This should be a daily task, not something done once or twice a month.
5. Praise good work.
Praise is probably one of the most effective – and under-utilized – ways to motivate employees. So when an employee does a good job, let them know you appreciate their efforts. You can do this in-person, via email, or by sending a handwritten note. Whatever works for you.
6. Deal with problems immediately.
Don’t wait for a sticky situation to resolve itself – chances are it will only get worse. Instead, deal with an issue head on. If an employee is having performance problems, then handle the situation in private, not in front of others. Remember to keep your feedback focused on results, not personalities. And make sure you keep detailed notes and records if any issues arise.
And if you’re looking to promote yourself to a new management job in Florin, please contact Pacific Staffing. As a Florin employment agency, we fill a variety of executive-level positions in Administrative/Office, Non-Profit and Association, Accounting/Finance, IT, HR, Marketing/Sales, Medical, Legal and Human Resources. Contact us today to learn more.