It is time to celebrate. You are promoted as manager from the senior executive position. Congratulations come in from all directions. You feel elated. It is your first day as manager in office and you begin to think as how you should go about playing out your role in the new position.
Well, that is a common malady that strikes any one who goes up to the next level. The first few days are slightly tension filled. If you master a few simple methods, you can make your life better in your new position.
Several top level executives who have gone through the transition, list out some of the ways you have to adopt to become successful as a manager and move ahead to get in to bigger roles.
What to do: You should on the first day make it a point to meet the boss who you will be directly reporting to and get clarity on what are his expectations from you. Find out what you have to deliver and the deadlines for each task allotted. By this interaction you will have clarity on what your role entails and what you need to drive your team towards.
Get to know what resources you will be given to help you achieve your targets. This will help you plan the activity that you have to undertake. With this information in hand you can set your goals and targets and go about achieving them from day one.
Peer pressure: As you have worked with the team before as a member, the others will now exert pressure on you for different reasons. Some may feel jealous that you have over taken them and start playing truant. They may question your every move and decision. They want to test your competence. This is the time when your managerial abilities have to be brought out into the open. You have to carefully explain as to what your objectives are and how you are going to involve the whole team in achieving them. You have to stress on the point that you are part of the team and now you have been given additional responsibility.
Being fair: Another problem a new manager faces is that the erstwhile team members want him to be lenient and show favour whenever they demand. You have to be cautious here. You have to maintain the interest of your position and also the needs of the company that come first. There cannot be violation of rules for friends. Also some members would want to advice you on every aspect of your role. Be careful, accept suggestions but do not follow advice. You have to understand the management perspective and not the individual view on how to discharge your responsibilities. If you have any doubts look to the top management to help you arrive at a decision.
Be up to speed: You have to start delivering after the first few weeks. Managements watch new managers with a magnifying glass. They never pressurise them but at the same time they will observe your performance closely. If you think that the top boss is not going to ask you for a report for the next six months, you are sadly mistaken. One fine day the boss will call you and begin grilling you. Do not be caught off guard. Learn the ropes as early as possible and even before the boss calls you, you better meet him and explain as to what you have been doing in your new role.
Stay normal: Be as normal as possible in your attitude. If you try to show authority or slap your position on to others, you will become hated commodity. People will call you ‘Mr. Arrogant. People will not share information with you and soon you may be isolated. The trick is to be normal like before. If you understand and learn these vital elements, you can become a good manager.
