Transitions at Work

Accepting your first job in management is a significant step in any career.

Here are ten tips to consider as you assume your new role.

1. Recognize that you have a lot to learn about management. It’s likely you earned your promotion by being a stand-out individual performer. Now you must bring out the best in others. Be open to advice; seek out mentors for advice and counsel.
2. Listen to your staff. Their enthusiasm can be assured, and their loyalty won, if you actively listen to what they have to say. This doesn’t mean you give up decision-making, but it does mean that you weigh and consider the opinions of others.
3. Delegate to others. Fight the urge to do it yourself. Recognize that your staffers will make mistakes—that’s how they will learn.



4. Recognize good work and those who contribute it; praise publicly; criticize in private (unless you are looking to illustrate a key point or make an example where you want to air the criticism—but do so sparingly)
5. Manage your time effectively. Focus on what is important. Don’t get caught up in fighting fires.
6. Focus your work unit, group or team on supporting the organization’s mission and strategic goals. Don’t forget those action items important to your boss.
7. Keep your boss in the loop; gain his or her respect and confidence by doing what you say you are going to do.
8. Understand the difference between managing (providing direction) and leading (providing vision). Recognize you will need to practice both to be successful.
9. Don’t shy away from identifying poor performers and using a mixture of encouragement and progressive discipline to improve performance.
10. Remember the importance of work-life balance and make sure to carve out time for family, friends, relaxation and the other aspects of your life that are important to you.

The best managers are curious about their own profession and/or industry and about the art and science of managing and leading. By seeking more training and education, and by turning to more experienced mentors, you can develop as a manager and a leader.

For information on MindEdge’s online self-paced “Managing in the Modern Organization” course, please click here.

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Copyright © 2007 MindEdge

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