Just got a promotion, eh? Nice job, you’re now the manager of your very own team. Bet you’re excited about your new position, right? Good for you. It’s likely you were promoted because you’re awesome at whatever you do. (At least more awesome than most people.)
Not only are you brilliant in your chosen field, but you’re an excellent manager. You know how to help others perform at their best. You know how to engender trust and open up the lines of communication. You recognize the importance of setting goals and fostering accountability without micromanaging.
Right?
Right.
You may be the best-of-the-best, but more likely than not, you don’t know the first thing about managing people.
That’s ok, I still like you.
But now you have a couple of choices concerning you management style. You can either make it up as you go, or you can learn some new management moves and practice until you get it right.
“Make It Up As You Go” Management
We’ve all been at a loud party with blaring music. People are dancing. Sort of. Rather, they’re just swaying to the music. There’s nothing wrong with a little impromptu movin’ and groovin’—just so long as everybody recognizes that you’re not out to win any dance competitions. It’s clear you’re not a pro, and that’s okay.
Suppose, however, you were asked to dance with the Riverdance crew. How people would react to your only move—an “improved upon” version of The Running Man? (Becoming an internet meme doth not a successful career make.)
As a team lead, this style doesn’t work. Your team will see through your weak attempts and, while they might not be able to communicate what’s wrong, will easily spot your poor technique.
The Basic Dance Management Moves
Like in dance, there are a few moves that form the foundation of good management. Get these down, practice them daily, and soon you’ll be softshoeing with the best of them.
These are moves are what Gostick and Elton identified in The Carrot Principle as “The Basic Four of Leadership.”
There is a chance that you, as a new manager, might inherently just “get it” when it comes to management. If you’re one of the lucky ones who really connects with people and are a natural leader, good for you. If you think you’re that person, I doubt you’re being totally honest with yourself.
No offense.
We can all use a little brushing up; let’s take a look at how you can improve your management moves.
Trust
How do you get people to trust you?
(psst—try “being trustworthy”)
Okay, it’s a bit more than just always telling the truth. You may always tell the truth, be honest, upstanding, and a picture of integrity and still not be trusted. (Incidentally, if you’re not trustworthy, better get crackin’—it doesn’t happen overnight.)
If you are a trustworthy, but not trusted, I’ll let you in on a little secret: The number one driver of trust? Communication.
Communication
Yes, that’s right. If you want people to trust you, be transparent. Communication is the number one driver of trust. Just because you thought the management meeting you just attended was a boring doesn’t mean your team shouldn’t know what happened. Tell them what happened and that it was boring.
Tell your team as much as you’re allowed to tell them and don’t forget be personable and allow people to get to know you.
Goal Setting
If you want those you manage to move forward and progress, help them set goals. Help them stretch a little. Set the bar a little higher but make the goals achievable.
Set a reasonable timeline, a clear end-goal, and help outline the tasks if needed.
Accountability
Goals are a whole lot of nothing if you don’t hold the members of your team accountable. Meet with them regularly—formally, informally, or both—to review their goals.
Identify the failures and figure out how to fix them, but also recognize the successes and don’t forget to praise the effort.
Practice Makes Perfect
Not all of us are born with the innate ability to manage people. But, with some foundational moves we all can go from making it up as you go to actually knowing what you’re doing.
You’ll feel more confident and your team will perform better under your trained leadership.
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