Many new managers handle supervisory positions too quickly wihout actual management training. So as expected, they tend to make a lot of mistakes. The following are some of the most common. Hopefully, the simple knowledge of these will help new team leaders do things differently.
1. Trying to be everybody's best friend
While building good one-on-one relationship with the members of your team is vital to establish trust, your top priority must be honing your team as a whole. Also, you should make it very clear that you're not their friend but their supervisor. When the lines are blurry, it will results to c onfusion and significant dip in the level of productivity.
2. Assuming your position is like a magic wand
Things will not get done magically because you're the manager and because you said so. Rather than simply barking orders, you should motivate your staff to work for and with you. Authority doesn't automatically generates respect. It is earned.
3. Making promises you cannot keep
In your zeal and willingness to provide solutions to existing concerns and problems in your team, it is very tempting to guarantee immediate and some times unfeasible solutions you cannot deliver. Keep in mind that it's way better to keep any promised action more modest rather than risk frustrating and disappointing your team by not able to keep your word.
4. Trying to change everything
Many new managers make the big mistake of trying overhauling the entire organisation in their first couple of months. Introduce and implement your new ideas to your team one at a time. You should start by soliciting support and building healthy professional relationship, and trust.
5. Presenting yourself as infallible
Getting promoted doesn't make you invincible or immortal. New managers who pretend to know everything or hide their weaknesses slow or even stop their own professional growth and development, and risk the productivity in the workplace.
6. Getting mired in the details
One critical role of a manager is to understand and concentrate on the big picture. Trying to micromanage every task will inevitably make you a hindrance to progress, to your team's progress. Delegate thoughtfully and effectively, and trust the members of your team to take care of pretty simple and small tasks.
7. Avoiding confrontation
Most new managers are not comfortable giving criticisms to people, even if they are constructive comments. But as a manager, you should not tolerate poor performance and insubordination. Bear in mind that keeping yourself silent or giving only flowery feedback because you do not want to create friction will only make the existing problem worse. Make that difficult conversation or comment now.
8. Failing to seek support and guidance.
Being on the top does not mean you won't be needing a good dose of inspiration, since one of your primary roles is a source of motivation to your team. Mentors need mentors too, especially when they are filling a new spot with different expectations. Never try to do it by yourself. Seek the opinions and expertise of well experienced managers and leaders. If you do so, you'll find that your transition will be less stressful.
----------------------------------------------------
To improve leadership and management skills, consider effective leadership training courses in Melbourne offered by ICML. Click on these links to learn more:
http://www.milieuzorgutrecht.nl/blog/
http://www.icml.com.au/management-and-leadership-courses-melbourne/managing-and-leading/
EasyPublish this article: http://submityourarticle.com/articles/easypublish.php?art_id=344940
No comments:
Post a Comment