Being a manager nowadays requires many skills and expertise, which is very challenging due to many different issues. For example, is it easier to be the manager of a team you already know or manage an entirely new team?
Knowing the team means understanding their strengths, providing space for improvement and opportunities, communicating openly and effectively, delegating tasks and creating an atmosphere of trust. On the other hand, the manager, in this case, often relies on his/her “favourite” people, which can lead to mistrust and limit creativity and willingness in others.
Managing a new team can also have its pros and cons. The good sides are the new view on things and being equal to everyone from the beginning. The downsides are that getting to know people and building trust can take time. The team can also be reluctant to accept new ideas and proposals immediately, especially when they come from “new arrivals”.
Both scenarios have advantages and disadvantages, but here are a few tips before starting a managing position and assuming all roles and obligations:
- stay true to your values;
- don’t forget where you came from;
- develop your own management style;
- build trust and confidence;
- ask good questions in one–on–one check, show that you care;
- say that you appreciate their work and celebrate the success and hard work of your employees;
- identify goals, objectives and communication style;
- ask for feedback more frequently;
- be prepared to make hard decisions.
