Tag Archives: Career

Advice for the new manager.

Over the weekend, I helped throw a baby shower for a good friend, and as I watched folks gather to offer their support and congratulations, it occurred to me:

Wouldn’t it be great if we threw a shower for a new manager?

Like parents-to-be, new managers are embarking on a new stage of their lives. They’re taking on unfamiliar tasks and new (terrifying) responsibilities. Wouldn’t it be nice to shower them with gifts and good wishes? Shouldn’t we come together to give them the tools and support (and cupcakes) they need to embark on the management journey?

While fun to imagine, it’s probably not going to happen. But one element of the baby shower that did stick with me was the opportunity for guests to share a piece of advice for the new parents.

“Sleep when the baby sleeps” “Always carry two of everything”

As I wrote down my words of baby wisdom, I considered what I would write if I could only give one piece of advice to a new manager. Here’s what I came up with:

It’s okay to admit you don’t know everything. Your team knows you’re new to this. Be confident in your abilities but ask for help when you need it. Your team will respect you for it.

How about you? What singular piece of advice would you give to a new manager?

What are you good at?

13 Replies

I’ve been feeling a bit wobbly lately. Lacking a clear direction. Not pointed toward my True North.

When I was teaching and students came to me struggling with direction – choosing a major or drafting their resume – I would recommend that they start with the most basic questions:

What are you good at? What are you bad at?

Simply stepping back and answering those two things can help you cut through the mental clutter and see things more clearly.

So here’s me following my own advice:

I am good at…

Managing people. Building teams, evaluating performance, helping people grow.

Presenting information. Sorting data, seeing connections, making it all look pretty.

I am bad at…

Networking. All the awkward discomfort of mingling at a cocktail party without the alcohol. Thank you, no.

Technology. I’m proficient enough to do what I need to do but don’t care enough to really understand it. I am certain my son will surpass me technologically by the age of 4.

Navigation. I have no sense of direction. I can (and will) get lost at the mall. This doesn’t have a strong career implication but is something you should know in case we’re ever in a survival situation together.

How about you? What are you good and bad at?

(Photo by Vero Villa via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons)

Finding meaning…wherever you are.

What’s the point, I thought?

Why am I working so hard at something so mundane? How is this benefiting the world?

What saved me was realizing that my work as a manager made an impact every day. Maybe I wasn’t going to change the world by making digital projectors or truck parts, but I could change how the people in my charge felt about their work. I could change how they spent their time, how they engaged with each other, and how successful they were in their careers.

I realized my job was about helping people.

Yes, I had operational goals as well, but the beauty of well-rounded, motivated employees is that they have a practical value: they perform better. A positive work experience that helps individuals achieve their personal goals benefits the organization as well.

So when you’re looking for meaning, struggling with the “why am I here?” question, try this:

Refocus on your team.

How can you help them grow their skills, or meet their personal or professional goals? Is there an outside project someone is meaning to pursue? Perhaps you can help them through networking, planning, or encouragement.

Think about how you can better meet their needs and maybe you’ll meet more of yours in the process.

The Management Maven

Work smart. Lead well.