After a promotion, a new manager feels a myriad of emotions: pride, excitement, enthusiasm, gratitude and fear. Out of all the emotions, pride and fear tops the list. Pride, of course, comes from the achievement, the new job title and the validation that you are good in what you do. Fear comes in after the pride wears off, but sometimes it’s felt at the same time and in equal intensity with pride. The two emotions are like bickering voices in your head, pride says, “Yes, I can run a successful business”, while fear says, “I’m not sure if I can live up to their expectations, let alone run a successful business.”
The voices in your head, the doubts and fears will make it hard to concentrate on your work. That’s why you need the help of others—tenured managers and business coaches who have lived through (and surpassed) the same feelings crippling you. These people have learned from years of experience and I’m sure they won’t hesitate to share tips on how to run a successful business.
Are you afraid of asking for help? I got you covered…
From Me to You: 4 things I wished I knew when I was a new manager
- Don’t stay in your comfort zone. It’s only natural to prefer doing things you’re already good at, but people expect more from you now that you’re a manager. The same goes with the people you spend time with at work. Open your horizons, reach out to people in other departments and try learning other things related to your new position.
- What you do affects the lives of many. Your new job title comes with new responsibilities, including decisions that will affect the work and economic status of other people. As a result, some of your old work buddies may no longer feel comfortable inviting you out for drinks. Remember the days when you used to go drinking with them when your boss made a decision you didn’t like? It’s like that, except that now, you’re the boss.
- Never lose your cool. The job of a manager is frustrating, it’s hard to supervise employees and deal with customers. Sometimes, you might even be tempted to raise your voice to establish power, or you might want to extract revenge on someone who got on your nerves. Don’t. Count 1-10 before talking or go out for a short break, if you must. Once you lose your cool, others will lose their respect for you.
- Don’t stoke the fire. I know it’s easy to gossip and blame the higher-ups for the days when you hate your job, pay rate, boss and the people around you. Your team doesn’t need to hear your complaints. It makes you look weak and it creates an aura of negativity in your team. If you have something to say, seek an audience with your direct supervisor or HR. You’re a manager now, so use that position to make your voice heard and bring about positive change.
Lastly, for the sake of your sanity don’t take everything at face value. A lot of the complaints, grumbling and gossip you’ll hear at work will be aimed at you, the boss. But the truth is most of the criticisms aren’t about you, it just so happens that you’re the one they see implementing the rules—even if you’re just following orders yourself. If you want to run a successful business, you should get used to being criticized.
