New to Management? Congratulations! Here’s how to Guarantee Success

Taking on a new team can be both exciting and overwhelming. It is essential to remember that every team is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing them. However, there are some things you can do to set yourself up for success.

First and foremost, spend time getting to know your team. Understand what motivates them, what their goals are, and what they expect from you. Ask them what is working and what is not working in their current process. Then work with them proactively to fix those things. You want to build consensus with your team and get their buy-in on the course of action you set out on together. Knowing their why, helping them form a path to their goals and working together to get there sets the right foundation of trust and transparency.

Avoid the temptation to come in and make immediate changes. Although you may have a wealth of experience to bring to the table, your team may not be ready to embrace your ideas yet. Take the time to build trust and earn their respect before implementing any major changes. They earned the right to their seat; know their superpowers, how you and they complement each other and what help should look like.

To influence positive change with your team, use available metrics and processes to help diagnose potential gaps in their current methods – with them. It’s best to articulate the nuances of the process and have them draw the conclusion, while also realizing what positive change could mean as they work towards their goals. Explain to them why change is necessary and how it will benefit them in the long run. Find out what motivates them, whether it is a promotion, more money, or the desire to retire from the company. Use their motivation as the driving force to help them see why they should change.

Remember that your job as a leader is to help your team be successful. Figure out exactly what is keeping them from being successful and remove those variables from the equation. Take action on the items that they give you, do it quickly, and you will gain their respect and trust. They will see you as a person of action and someone who is there to serve and protect them.

Be communicative and responsive. Hold each other accountable for what you agree to do for each other. This is the only way the relationship works.

Finally, recognize your team and get them promoted! You are paid to be the advocate and evangelist of your people. The more diverse and dynamic of a team you build and coach, the more you will get them promoted and people will want to work for you.

Don’t be afraid to help your team members get promoted, even if it means your top players leave the team. Your job is to prepare them for the next level, help them be promoted from within, remove their barriers to success, and make them better. By doing this, you are not only helping your team be successful, but you are also building a strong foundation for the future of the company.

In conclusion, being a manager is an exciting and challenging role. By spending time getting to know your team, building trust and consensus, and using their motivation to sell change, you can set yourself up for success. Remember, your job is to help your team be successful, and by doing so, you are also building a better future for your company. Good luck!