Becoming a manager is an exciting step but it can also be daunting. When I moved to India, I went from being an individual contributor to leading a growing team that was spread out across three cities. It took lots of trial and error before I found a leadership style and approach that worked both for me and the team.
While learning to manage is never “done,” one of the steepest learning curves is becoming a first-time manager. Finding your style, voice, and philosophy early is a great way to set the foundation for managing in tough times (take the pandemic, for example) and preparing to manage larger teams in the future.
Plenty has been written about the skills that managers need so I won’t repeat those. Rather, I want to focus on the importance of learning from others and being true to yourself.
Tip #1: Seek inspiration
- Mentors are a natural source of inspiration, information, and connection. You may already have a formal mentor who was assigned to you at work. Perhaps you have informal mentors too – people who you trust and reach out to periodically for advice and guidance. Now is a good time to lean into those relationships and possibly add a new mentor to your roster.
- Who are your role models? They might be family members, colleagues, or people from your community. The beauty of role models is that they demonstrate and embody behaviors that we value and aspire to. Do you have a role model whose leadership skills or style you admire? Make a list of behaviors you want to emulate.
- It may sound unusual, but celebrities can be a good source of inspiration, even at work. When you’re in a sticky situation, ask yourself: What would Brené Brown or Serena Willams do? Famous folks may display courage, work ethic, and communication skills that you can apply to your new role.
True story: On a morning walk in the Texas hill country and spot, @jvn sitting under a cedar tree. We both just said, “OMG. Is that you?” Then virtually hugged from six feet away. We were supposed to do an event together in March but never got to meet. Best. Hike. Ever.
Tip #2: Make it your own
- While there’s plenty of research about the skills and behavior of great managers, there’s no one right way to manage. One thing is for sure though, and that’s if you’re anything other than authentic people will sense it and it will decrease trust and credibility. As a manager, you’ve got to be true to yourself.
- Forget “executive presence” – it’s an outdated and gendered concept. Instead, find your genuine voice. A manager can be soft-spoken, quiet, or even introverted. You might use humor, be a great storyteller, or be known for speaking truth to power. Rather than trying to show up as someone you’re not, embrace your strengths.
- It’s normal to have to flex new muscles when learning a new skill. Sometimes you might feel awkward. That’s ok, and you’ll certainly become more comfortable over time. But you should resist saying or doing anything that is not authentic to who you are, or anything that goes against your values.
Tip #3: Give it your all
- Sometimes managing is really hard! You’re trying to adjust to each person’s style, understand what they’re capable of and what motivates them. An approach that works for one person might backfire for another. You may think you’re not cut out for this. If you love managing a team and developing others, it’s important to stick with it. Good management can be learned, it may just take a little time.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself. Especially if you’re a perfectionist, that’s only going to hold you back. Working with people is messy. There will be conflicts, misunderstandings, and sometimes even hurt feelings. Remember, no one expects you to be perfect. What’s important is to listen, learn, and lead with empathy.
- Plenty of people try out management and decide it’s not for them. Sometimes becoming a manager is the only way to get ahead – to earn a bigger title or promotion. In my experience, good management comes from a place of passion. If your goal is to become an excellent people manager, make a long-term commitment to learn and grow.
At Reverb, we love helping new managers succeed. Management is something to celebrate and invest in. The world needs more great managers, and we know that managers are taught not born. If you’d like to learn more about what we do, check out our online course Management 101: Practical Skills for Great People Leaders, or send us a note – info@reverbpeople.com.
