5 Key Skills for a Successful Transition Into Management
June 13, 2015 | Written by Sree Ravela
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
Professionals moving into management may struggle to quickly and successfully transition into these new roles and effectively manage their teams. But with a little bit of guidance, new managers have the potential to succeed during these transitions. In this blog, I will share five key tips for new (and seasoned) managers to navigate their journeys.
1. Delegation
The biggest struggle that new managers undergo during a transition is letting go. The fact is, they need to be able to make quick estimations and trust their team’s abilities to delegate some of their responsibilities. If not, they’ll be overwhelmed and won’t be able to focus on creating impact. In the words of US General George S. Patton, “Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” Make sure the two of you are clearly aligned with outcome expectations to avoid frustrations on both sides. Effective delegation helps in quickly building trust with your teams, and doing so will gain you respect as a manager.
2. People Development
When it comes to being a leader who puts people first, I always think about the wisdom shared by American businessman, Harvey S. Firestone: “The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.” While managing only yourself, it’s all about your professional development, meeting your individual goals, etc. However, as a manager, you must be intentional about developing and enhancing the skills of your team. This is not just an item to tick off in your checklist—make sure to carve out time each week toward understanding every teammate, their career aspirations, their development goals, etc. Don’t get so caught up in day-to-day operations that you neglect this equally important duty. Throughout various trainings in my journey, I recall learning that People Development is a lot like raising children and working toward their day-to-day development.
3. Time Management
To be a successful manager, you must be organized and manage your time efficiently. If you are not good at tracking deliverables and notes, that skill must be developed immediately. Unlike serving as an individual contributor, where the focus is on your own tasks, as a manager, your expectations are not centered around just your deliverables. As a manager, you must complete your ongoing contributions, in addition to assigning and tracking several delegated activities and tasks. This can be an overwhelmingly time-consuming role if you fail to optimize your time. Stay organized to avoid last-minute rushes that most often impact the quality of delivery.
4. Clear Communication
Clear communication is one of the most critical aspects of being a skillful manager, whether new or seasoned. Managers need to intentionally and continuously sharpen this skill. Your lack of clarity will impact your team’s performance. Defining why, what, how, and when aspects of your communications should be reflected in your formal team meetings, informal discussions, goal settings, performance feedback, etc. It’s always helpful if you can start stating the why or actual intent of your communication within the first two sentences, setting the right context before adding details.
5. Recognizing Achievements
It is crucial to publicly acknowledge and recognize your teammate’s and/or team’s achievements. Be very generous in your praise because you wouldn’t be successful without their contributions. It also boosts morale, motivating them to reach new heights on their own accord—that’s how I put people first to achieve high-impact outcomes. Duly noted, if such achievements deserve promotions, start working toward making that a reality.
Transitioning into management requires developing a diverse set of skills to effectively lead and inspire teams. By mastering the art of delegation, prioritizing People Development, honing time management skills, communicating clearly, and recognizing achievements, new managers can successfully navigate their roles and drive their teams towards success. These five key skills not only help in building trust and respect within the team, but they also contribute to creating a positive work environment that fosters growth, innovation, and high-impact outcomes. As managers cultivate these abilities, they'll find themselves better equipped to handle the challenges of leadership and guide their teams to reach new heights of performance and achievement.