So you want to be a manager? Here's where to start.
If you've ever wondered whether you should apply for a managerial role because you think you'd be good at it, or you see the management track as a stepping stone to further your career, now is the time to talk to your manager about what opportunities are available to you.
Perhaps you've never managed a team before, so you may be wondering where to start. You may think you'll simply keep doing whatever you've been doing in your current role and that will carry you through to your next one. You've been successful so far and, after all, that's all you really need, right?
Not quite.
I applaud your ambition. The workforce needs effective managers. While you do need to keep doing well in your current role before you can be considered for a new one, making the transition from individual contributor to supervisor or manager means there are new skills to learn and potentially, a different way of thinking about who you are in your role at work.
In the weeks ahead, I will share more on essential management skills you'll need for success and how you can begin to develop those abilities. Meanwhile, if you want to begin preparing for a management role, start with these 10 actions:
1) Behave like a manager now - before you get a title, before a salary increase, before any interviews. It’s the best way to demonstrate your interest in and your competence for leadership. How to do that? Make sure you're perceived as a diligent professional. Show up on time. Meet deadlines. Be mindful about the company you keep and the words you say. Don't wait to be told what to do; be proactive.
2) Deepen an awareness of your workplace and learn how each division works, not just your own department. Learn all you can about the industry you're in. Determine what interdependencies are important between individuals and teams. Effective managers don't work in isolation.
3) Start thinking like an owner. If an expense were coming out of your pocket, would you be willing to pay for it? If an important policy isn’t being adhered to, how would you address it? If there’s a more efficient way to do something, how would you change it? If there's a conflict that's interrupting workflow, how would you deal with it? In other words, how would you behave if this were your business?
4) Reflect on the impact your transition from a colleague to a manager may have on your current teammates. If you want to be a manager – more than in name only - you have to accept what that means if you want to be effective. There will be times when your perceived “loyalty” to your friends and colleagues will be tested. As a manager, you are expected to uphold the company’s standards. There’s a significant shift in expectations and behavior from an individual contributor role to a management role. Don’t underestimate it.
5) Own what you do and say. Be ready to defend your actions with a clear-headed rationale and be willing to stand by what you say and write. Learn how to make a business case for what you believe are necessary changes. Formulate informed opinions and know when (and when not) to share them.
6) Recognize the shift in confidentiality you will likely encounter as a manager. You’ll have access to information not intended to be shared with anyone on your team. Are you willing to preserve that confidentiality with people whom you now consider close friends in the workplace? Have you considered why it's important to maintain confidentiality even when you value transparency?
7) Continue developing your written and oral communication skills and your overall “presence.” Learn how to make effective presentations. They matter. A lot.
8) Build your business acumen. Be an avid reader of your industry's trends and learn basic financial skills if you don't already know them. Learn the language of your industry and embed it in your vocabulary.
9) Learn & develop your relationship building skills and personal management skills. Learn the basics of human resources and key soft skills. Commit to your personal development and time management capabilities. Figure out what soft skills you might need to work on (communication, relationship building, emotional intelligence, etc.) Regardless of the industry you're in, those are the success skills.
10) Remember that it’s your career. Your company can offer you an opportunity to grow and succeed and you may soon have “manager” on your resume, but it’s up to you to make it a success. Talk to your manager about your career path and interests and get his or her feedback about your readiness to take on a new role. Don't wait for anyone to come to you about your career interests; it's up to you to make your interests known.
Managing others can be one of the most rewarding roles you'll experience in your career, but there will be a trade-off in the work you do now vs. the work you'll do in a managerial role. Take the time now to consider if being a manager is right for you before you take the step. Your job satisfaction - along with those on your team - will depend on it.
Stay tuned. We'll talk more about these ideas in greater detail in the weeks ahead. Meanwhile, stay inspired.