Everyone occupying a management role has started somewhere, and if they’re open and honest, they’ll tell you the same thing - it isn’t necessarily a walk in the park.
While stepping into a role at the higher rungs of your company is undoubtedly exciting, it isn’t without its challenges and there are management areas you need to develop to succeed.
Research has revealed as many as 60% of new managers fail within 24 months of embarking on their new role.
But you needn’t fall into the trap of adding to this statistic. While the prospect of a management position may initially provoke a degree of nerves, with preparation and foresight, you can adopt an approach that’ll help you perform at the peak of your powers, paving the way for a long, successful career.
In this article, we’ll share key management tips to support you in your maiden management role and help you navigate this exciting new career stage.
Get advice on enrolling in a management course aligned with your requirements, with our free eBook, ‘A Guide to Choosing the Right Management Course’.
Management tips to help you thrive
With leadership quality now a top priority for 48% of senior figures—a 14% increase since 2011, you need to refine key skills to ensure you’re equipped to perform as you prepare to transition into a management role.
Here are some transferable management tips to strengthen your credentials.
Develop communication skills
Communication forms the basis of effective leadership, so much so, a resounding 86% of employees and executives identified poor collaboration and communication as the root causes of workplace failures, poor productivity, conflict, and turnover.
With this in mind, communication skills must be high on your agenda when preparing for your first management position. Leaders who communicate effectively with their colleagues garner trust, and can also clearly communicate responsibilities and expectations to others.
Nonetheless, it’s also worth noting that communication isn’t a one-way operation. Inspiring leaders don’t merely provide instructions. Rather, you need to give your team members the encouragement and confidence to communicate their own opinions.
How to improve communication
If you’re not a natural communicator, you must improve this skill to succeed in a management or leadership role.
On the plus side, this skill can be easily worked upon.
Firstly, when you begin your role, arrange regular one-to-one meetings with each of your team members to touch base, agree on tasks, and discuss any concerns they may have or support they may need.
When communicating with your team, be clear and concise, and seek confirmation you’ve been understood. If not, create a culture where it isn’t frowned upon to ask questions.
Last but not least, practise open-ended questions. In doing so, you allow your team to give you feedback in their own words, instead of being pushed into a corner.
Don’t be afraid to delegate
It’s natural to want to make a good impression in your new role.
However, many new managers set the bar too high, and in doing so, shoulder too much responsibility. While this is done with the best intentions, pressure can mount, and before long, you’ll be counting the cost of burning the candle at both ends.
As much as 48% of managers report symptoms of burnout, but even more suffer from burnout itself, with rates of up to 53%.
Don’t fall into bad habits early in your management career. Task delegation is a sign of strength and good management - it isn’t a weakness.
Sharing the workload alleviates your workload and provides the foundation for your team members to cultivate their skills.
How to delegate effectively
Each team member will bring certain benefits to the table, and you need to understand their strengths and weaknesses to ensure you’re delegating tasks that play to their strengths.
Conduct an internal audit so you know exactly what they’re good at.
Review past work, observe your team, but most importantly, speak directly to them about their strengths and areas for improvement.
This helps delegate tasks in the short term, and to put appropriate training in place to support their long-term development.
When you’re delegating tasks, clarity is key. When briefing a task, clearly outline your expectations, the desired outcome, and critical deadlines.
71% of surveyed workers said micromanagement interfered with their job performance, and 85% reported their morale was negatively impacted. Where possible, allow your team to approach the task in their way.
Trust your colleagues, and you’ll reap the benefits of their expertise.
Understand and adapt to team dynamics
Your team will include individuals with unique personalities, work styles, and motivations.
Take the time to understand these dynamics and adapt your management style to meet team requirements.
Tips for adapting to team dynamics
Spend time observing how your team interacts and identify any informal leaders within the group.
Schedule one-on-one meetings to get to know each team member. Ask about their goals, challenges, and preferred working style.
You also must be flexible in your leadership approach. Some team members may need more guidance, while others may prefer more autonomy.
Set clear expectations and goals
In 2022, only 38% of employees knew what was expected of them, a 10% reduction from 2021.
Clarity is essential in management. Without clear expectations, your team may become confused or unsure of their responsibilities, which can lead to underperformance.
Defining and communicating goals early on will help set your team on the right track and ensure everyone knows what success looks like.
How to set clear expectations
Use SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) to ensure your objectives are clear and attainable.
It’s also important to regularly check in with your team to measure progress and provide the necessary support.
80% of staff want to know how decisions are made by their employers. Therefore, be transparent about your expectations for individual performance and team collaboration.
Provide constructive feedback
Research has revealed that while 96% of staff say feedback is beneficial, only 30% receive it in their role.
As a manager, feedback is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal, but knowing how to give it effectively is key.
When done right, feedback motivates and helps your team members to grow. When done poorly, it can damage morale. Therefore, as a first-time manager, you must learn the art of delivering constructive and useful feedback.
Best practices for giving feedback
Give feedback regularly, not just during formal performance reviews. This normalises the process and makes it less daunting.
Focus on specific behaviours or outcomes rather than making general comments. For example, say, “I noticed you missed the deadline on this project,” rather than, “You’re always late with your work.”
Finally, frame feedback as an opportunity for improvement. Offer actionable advice that helps team members understand how to move forward.
Manage time and priorities
With new responsibilities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks on your plate.
Oftentimes, this can be attributed to poor time management - and with 82% of workers lacking an effective time management system, you’re not on your own, but it’s something you need to work on, particularly as a manager.
Effective time management and prioritisation will ensure that you’re managing your workload and efficiently leading your team.
Tips for managing time and priorities
Identify the most important tasks that contribute to your team’s goals and focus on those first.
Use time-blocking or task-management tools to organise your day. This allows you to devote your attention to one task at a time,
Avoid getting too involved in every detail of your team’s work. Trust your team to handle their responsibilities, and only step in when necessary.
Lead by example
As a manager, your actions set the tone for the entire team.
If you remain calm, organised, and accountable, your team is more likely to follow suit. Leading by example generates respect and creates a culture of integrity within your team.
How to lead by example
Be consistent in your actions and decisions. Follow through on promises and hold yourself accountable for mistakes.
Research has revealed poor communication is affecting the trust of 45% of workers. Stay approachable, encourage your team to come to you with questions or concerns, and always be willing to listen.
Build a culture of mutual respect by acknowledging hard work, celebrating successes, and encouraging collaboration.
Our eBook, ‘A Guide to Choosing the Right Management Course’ supports you with management tips and recommendations for courses to suit you.
Supplement our management tips with a suitable management course
Moving into a management role for the first time is a significant step in your career, and it’s worth considering the costs involved in gaining the necessary skills and qualifications.
While it comes with challenges, it also provides an opportunity to grow as a leader and help your team thrive.
By communicating with your team, delegating tasks, understanding team dynamics, and leading by example, you’ll build a strong foundation for your success as a manager.
Remember, management is a continual learning process.
With management training Embrace the experience, seek feedback, and continue developing your leadership skills.
Similarly, a management course can accelerate your career and develop the skills you need to perform in your role.
Download our guide today and learn which management course is right for you.
