First-Time Managers: The Smooth Transition into Leadership
Most of us have already seen ourselves 10 years ahead of our time when we lay the stepping stone of our career. Not everyone steps into the manager’s shoes from their first job. Most of us must begin from below to rise to the top. I experienced this firsthand when I was promoted to Manager.
My First Role Change
The transition from individual contributor to a leader is a paradigm shift. The change, as much as it seems joyous, can be equally overwhelming.
Luckily for me, I was still the senior-most—not by age but by experience—in my organization. I had already carried out some of the tasks a leader must take on, proactively. All the team members were always looking up to me to come up with initiatives and the way forward.
All I had not done was being responsible for others, being their actual boss.
From Peer to Boss: My peers who were alongside me were suddenly being led by me. I knew that would not go down so well with the team. Needless to say, some were older than me, and some had more years of experience outside of the organization.
These were the same people I had shared jokes with and had casual coffee breaks. I realized that establishing my authority without all the awkwardness and without compromising our friendship would need conscious effort.
Sharing the Workload to Delegation: Here I was, standing at the crossroad where I had to now decide how to delegate the workload. We as a team had shared the workload as per our specialties, mutually. The impending question here was the way forward. Am I to still gather the team and mutually discuss, or am I to take the helm and distribute the tasks?
Saying it Aloud: The final challenge was communication. How was I to correct mistakes, give feedback, and receive feedback? How was I to address underperformance?
That’s when I was nominated to the First-Time Managers Training Program in Mumbai by my organization. We had a training and development culture, which was a breather.
The training focused on developing the leader in me.
Key Takeaways from the Program
Improved Team Collaboration: It gave me a deep understanding of my capabilities and those of my team. Communication with the team was smooth. I learned that building trust with my team was the foundation of our success. I came up with small chit-chat sessions over coffee once a week where we shared new ideas and addressed concerns.
Skilful Conversation: The training taught me to respond and not react. It’s all about how we speak. How we deal with our peers and subordinates—do we comfort them or make them feel insecure? My worst fear of mediating a disagreement between two team members was gone. I no longer jump to conclusions before hearing both sides. Staying neutral, listening carefully, and guiding the conversation toward a solution brings about a win-win.
Keeping Your Team Motivated: A happy team is a successful team. It’s not about just motivating our team; it’s about us too. The team is the reflection of its leader. A strong guiding force automatically cascades down to the team to create a powerhouse of talent. When I learn to stick to my priorities and keep calm during tough deadlines, my team follows suit.
Time Management and Delegation: I realized that my time and tasks were influenced by what my team did. As a leader, I need to bifurcate what to do myself and what can be done by the team. I also realized that delegation can be made a positive experience for the delegator as well as the receiver. Once I did that, I had time on my hand to strategize and innovate.
Bridging the Gap Between My Team and My Management: Whether it was giving constructive feedback or delivering updates to senior leadership, clear communication became one of my most valuable tools. My team saw me as a pillar of support, and my bosses saw me as a go-getter.
Lessons Learned: How to Smoothen the Transition
- Set Clear Expectations Early: The first thing I did was to sit with my manager to align myself with their expectations of me. This paved the way for my new journey.
- Find a Mentor or Coach: I was fortunate to have a mentor who guided me through tricky situations, from handling tough conversations to strategizing for team goals.
- Celebrate Small Wins: I realized that every small milestone called for a celebration. We started celebrating progress. It lifted the spirits of the team and motivated them to work harder. Success is a journey, not the destination.
- Ask for Feedback: I made it a point to ask my team for feedback on how I could improve as a manager. Not only did this help me grow, but it also built trust within the team.
- Invest in Training: The leadership workshop for first-time managers helped me build the foundation for my journey. I look forward to attending more workshops that will help me grow as a leader. I also nominate my team members for programs that help enhance their skills.
In a Nutshell
It’s not as hard as it looks. Enjoy every moment of the journey. The journey has just begun and will take you places. Take every challenge as a stepping stone to rise higher.
Becoming a first-time manager is as much about personal growth as it is about leading others. With the right mindset, support, and training, the transition can be a rewarding experience that sets the tone for your leadership journey. For me, the key was to embrace the learning process, lean on others for support, and always keep my team’s interest and success at the forefront.
A true leader is genuine at heart and courageous in actions. They may not know all the answers, but they surely have the will to learn, adapt, and grow with the team.
To know more about how The Yellow Spot can help you on your Leadership journey, Visit ‘https://www.theyellowspot.com’ for more info or reach out at info@theyellowspot.com / India: +91 99677 14310, +91 87792 84314
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