Much is given, much is required. This was one of the first things that came to mind when I landed the promotion I've been working hard to achieve. I had to admit I was elated but I was anxious at the same time. It was my first time to become a boss or team leader and the promotion didn't exactly come with a handbook.
And when the party's over and the dust has settled, everybody went back to work, including myself. The difference was while my colleagues went about their daily tasks, I entered a different office and was welcomed by a much more demanding workload and bigger responsibilities.
I realized that my new post wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. But eventually, I learned that it's not impossible to be an effective boss--it would just take hard work, as with everything.
Today, I will share with you the things I did that turned out to be effective. Read up because they might come in handy once you get promoted.
Now that you're sitting on a higher post, among your many duties is to learn how to be a boss. And as if that's not pressing enough, you are expected to do to understand and operate immediately.
The good news is that there are perks to being a boss. Included in these are trainings and workshops on management and supervision. If you're lucky enough to work at a company that holds such events, sign yourself up and take the lectures to heart. You can also explore similar opportunities offered by other organizations.
Do your best to learn as much as you can and remember the things you shouldn't do to avoid office blunders.
You've probably been warned that being a manager involves a lot of problem-solving and decision-making. And while you sure are thankful for those who already dished out some advice, actually facing your concerns can still be a different story altogether.
For many people, it's easier to ask for guidance from someone who has experience rather from someone who only relies on theory, no matter how convincing it is. Having said that, it could help you a lot if you take in a trusted superior as your mentor.
Take note though that your mentor doesn't necessarily have to come from where youre working. Although it would be awesome to be guided by his or her own boss (especially if the boss is good), not all employees are blessed to have one. You can also seek counsel from a reliable family member or a professor.
Being entrusted with a managerial position also calls for leading an efficient team. So early on your promotion, spend time talking to your staff individually. Get to know them personally and check their performance records.
Impart to them your aspirations for the company and encourage them to join you in achieving its goals. Also, ask them what they expect from you and let them know what you are hoping for them to deliver, now that you'll be working with each other.
Your first few months as a manager will serve as your adjustment period. And for you to be able to get the hang of everything, create an efficient system on how you'll work.
If you're given an assistant, ask him or her about the department's pending tasks, responsibilities, and deliverables. In addition, find out if there are people you should meet and everything else that you need to learn about operations and administration.
Once you identify them, assign each one a schedule and make sure you accomplish them on the given deadline.
Almost every office has its own brand of politics, and it's highly likely that yours has one too. The thing is, averting office politics is next to impossible in the same way as you becoming part of it is practically imminent. But instead of avoiding it like the plague, learn how to utilize it to your advantage.
Office politics isn't so bad as long as you don't step on someone else's toes to get what you want. Instead, work on memorizing how the system works learn how proposals get approved, who has the last say on them, and how to tread your workplace's bureaucracy. Once you master these things, getting things done will be a breeze.
Being buddy-buddy with your own boss isn't essentially wrong; in fact it's highly recommended in some cases (e.g. when youre eyeing a promotion). But sometimes, it can blur the line between professionalism and friendship. When faced with a tough decision, use your conscience as a barometer. Moreover, always be prepared of alternatives in case your boss comes up with less sophisticated solutions.
Just remember that when making a judgment call, make sure that your values are not compromised. Otherwise, you might want to reconsider whether you should stay with the company or deserve something better.
Management teaches you a lot of things: one of them is that there is no universal technique when dealing with people. For example, while some employees respond better when you give them regular feedback, some would think that you're breathing down their neck and would rather be left alone with their creativity.
You may not be able to please everybody, but you also have to find a way to rein your department in and make the operations harmonious. It wouldn't do harm if you apply what you learned from your previous bosses and trying the approaches that worked for you. On the other hand, you also have to make room and be open for changes especially if they are for the better.
Contrary to popular belief, managers do not have to do all the talking in the office. Even if you are presumed to have the best ideas, there are times when members of our staff are simply better. And sometimes, to achieve positive results, you need to zip it and listen to what your subordinates have to say.
Hence, know when to listen and when to speak. Give your staff a chance to present their ideas, and if they happen to pitch a feeble one, don't shoot it down right away. Instead, list them all down and evaluate together how you can tweak them. If your staff sees that you respect them and their ideas, you won't have a hard time earning theirs.
Being a boss is one tough job, but if you follow these tips, running your department would be more manageable. If you want to share your own tips, feel free to do so by leaving a comment below.
And when the party's over and the dust has settled, everybody went back to work, including myself. The difference was while my colleagues went about their daily tasks, I entered a different office and was welcomed by a much more demanding workload and bigger responsibilities.
I realized that my new post wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. But eventually, I learned that it's not impossible to be an effective boss--it would just take hard work, as with everything.
Today, I will share with you the things I did that turned out to be effective. Read up because they might come in handy once you get promoted.
1. Learn the boss ropes.
Now that you're sitting on a higher post, among your many duties is to learn how to be a boss. And as if that's not pressing enough, you are expected to do to understand and operate immediately.
The good news is that there are perks to being a boss. Included in these are trainings and workshops on management and supervision. If you're lucky enough to work at a company that holds such events, sign yourself up and take the lectures to heart. You can also explore similar opportunities offered by other organizations.
Do your best to learn as much as you can and remember the things you shouldn't do to avoid office blunders.
2. Get a co-pilot.
You've probably been warned that being a manager involves a lot of problem-solving and decision-making. And while you sure are thankful for those who already dished out some advice, actually facing your concerns can still be a different story altogether.
For many people, it's easier to ask for guidance from someone who has experience rather from someone who only relies on theory, no matter how convincing it is. Having said that, it could help you a lot if you take in a trusted superior as your mentor.
Take note though that your mentor doesn't necessarily have to come from where youre working. Although it would be awesome to be guided by his or her own boss (especially if the boss is good), not all employees are blessed to have one. You can also seek counsel from a reliable family member or a professor.
3. Evaluate your team.
Being entrusted with a managerial position also calls for leading an efficient team. So early on your promotion, spend time talking to your staff individually. Get to know them personally and check their performance records.
Impart to them your aspirations for the company and encourage them to join you in achieving its goals. Also, ask them what they expect from you and let them know what you are hoping for them to deliver, now that you'll be working with each other.
4. Devise a system.
Your first few months as a manager will serve as your adjustment period. And for you to be able to get the hang of everything, create an efficient system on how you'll work.
If you're given an assistant, ask him or her about the department's pending tasks, responsibilities, and deliverables. In addition, find out if there are people you should meet and everything else that you need to learn about operations and administration.
Once you identify them, assign each one a schedule and make sure you accomplish them on the given deadline.
5. Beat the office politics game.
Almost every office has its own brand of politics, and it's highly likely that yours has one too. The thing is, averting office politics is next to impossible in the same way as you becoming part of it is practically imminent. But instead of avoiding it like the plague, learn how to utilize it to your advantage.
Office politics isn't so bad as long as you don't step on someone else's toes to get what you want. Instead, work on memorizing how the system works learn how proposals get approved, who has the last say on them, and how to tread your workplace's bureaucracy. Once you master these things, getting things done will be a breeze.
6. Stick to your principles.
Being buddy-buddy with your own boss isn't essentially wrong; in fact it's highly recommended in some cases (e.g. when youre eyeing a promotion). But sometimes, it can blur the line between professionalism and friendship. When faced with a tough decision, use your conscience as a barometer. Moreover, always be prepared of alternatives in case your boss comes up with less sophisticated solutions.
Just remember that when making a judgment call, make sure that your values are not compromised. Otherwise, you might want to reconsider whether you should stay with the company or deserve something better.
7. Personalize your management approach.
Management teaches you a lot of things: one of them is that there is no universal technique when dealing with people. For example, while some employees respond better when you give them regular feedback, some would think that you're breathing down their neck and would rather be left alone with their creativity.
You may not be able to please everybody, but you also have to find a way to rein your department in and make the operations harmonious. It wouldn't do harm if you apply what you learned from your previous bosses and trying the approaches that worked for you. On the other hand, you also have to make room and be open for changes especially if they are for the better.
8. Develop the art of listening.
Contrary to popular belief, managers do not have to do all the talking in the office. Even if you are presumed to have the best ideas, there are times when members of our staff are simply better. And sometimes, to achieve positive results, you need to zip it and listen to what your subordinates have to say.
Hence, know when to listen and when to speak. Give your staff a chance to present their ideas, and if they happen to pitch a feeble one, don't shoot it down right away. Instead, list them all down and evaluate together how you can tweak them. If your staff sees that you respect them and their ideas, you won't have a hard time earning theirs.
Being a boss is one tough job, but if you follow these tips, running your department would be more manageable. If you want to share your own tips, feel free to do so by leaving a comment below.