Make your mark as a new Manager

New Manager? Grab the Opportunity to Make your Mark.

So, you made it to the top floor

Congratulations, you made it. From managing your own output to managing a group and their performance.

If you are lucky enough to have gotten a head start by assisting an existing manager within your organization for at least 6 to 12 months, you may have learned a thing or two about how to “steer the boat.”

unfortunately, not many of you will have had this opportunity, and let me tell you, that may be a blessing in disguise.

Learning how to drive from a “bad” driver doesn’t exactly help you get your license faster. It will slow you down as you spend a tremendous amount of time unlearning some unsavory habits.

First, let’s talk about the transition that took you from self-managing to managing others.

Let’s assume you did an excellent job self-managing and showed signs of openness to taking on a mentoring and supportive role for your fellow team members. You showed signs that you have the courage to step up and grab the flag as you lead a bunch to the summit.

How else would you have gotten this great vote of confidence you received?

Now that the celebratory moment of your new find climb to the next level is behind you, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and hit the ground running.

Making sure the reward you received was not in vain, that  the reward won’t be taken away from you and that you can continue to climb to the next level as anyone with a bit of ambition would want to.

Let’s take a little step back

You were at the top of your proverbial class, the upper 5%, and that is why you are a manager now. If I haven’t said so already, congratulations..you made it to the bottom 20% of the next level.

Yes, you heard me correctly

The bottom 20%

Now you have to play at the big league with all the other managers and department heads who have a headstart.

Suddenly, the confidence that made it possible for you to get past the finish line is gone in a blink and Euphoria has given its place to sleepless nights, exhaustion, self-doubt, and a whole bunch of other pain mashed up with a side of fear of failure now forming a fine chokehold around your neck.

That was for the bad news.

Now for the good news:

It is never too late to work on your personal development

Although learning on the Job with a gun pointing to your head to perform is not ideal, you can develop yourself as you take the lead. All you have to do is be open to learning and prioritize your personal growth process.

Here are 3 Leadership tools every new manager must know when taking the first managerial step:

1. Learn to be a Student: the content of the Job may be a mystery to you. the team you manage can be a wealth of information. learn to be a student, initially, in particular.
2. Create Engagement: you are no longer a “one-person” show, so learn to get organized and delegate.
3. Put on the Coach-Hat: your number one role now is a motivator, a cheerleader, and a coach; embrace it.

A clear and systematic Strategy is necessary to your success in your 1st 100 days as a new manager. Those who take the time and step back to observe, avoid stepping on what appears to be a rock in the middle of the river that is nothing but a driftwood.

For the new managers among you, if you are ready to invest time and resources in your own leadership developments, don’t hesitate to contact me via DM or my website tagged below.

Leadership Development Coaching – The Alexander Method (alexandermtd.com)