Five Strategies To Help You Succeed As A New Manager

Posted on May 24, 2023 by ANDREA LOUBSER, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.

Many Managers derail in their first role of leading others. While the transition from subject matter expert and individual contributor to manager is a tough one, the key areas outlined below will serve you well, if you take it on board. Here are 5 strategies to help you along:

1. Develop New Skills
One common mistake made by new managers is that they fail to recognise that the skills required for success as an individual contributor differ from those needed to excel as a manager and leader.
Consequently, when overwhelmed by their new manager role, they struggle to understand the reason behind their difficulties.

If this resonates with you, remember this: you have not received specific training in the skills needed for managing and leading others. However, a word to the wise: don’t wait for these skills to magically materialise. Instead, take proactive steps to develop them.

Here are some suggestions:
• Cut yourself some slack and acknowledge that learning is a process.
• Identify the skills you need to develop and work on them.
• Do your research: look for developmental opportunities that align with your needs.
• Study renowned leadership books and learn from established leaders.
• Discuss your development needs with your employer to access appropriate support.

By taking these actions, you’ll set yourself on the path to success.

2. Redefine Success
One of the biggest mindset shifts that new managers struggle with is redefining what success means in their new role. Previously, as an individual contributor, you experienced personal satisfaction from the direct completion of tasks. Now, as a manager, your primary focus should be enabling your team to achieve their best work.

Understand and embrace the following:
• Your team’s success reflects your success as a leader because you facilitate it.
• Your role is valuable in removing obstacles that hinder your team’s progress. Without you they cannot succeed.

This shift in mindset is crucial for finding personal fulfillment in your leadership role. Although welcome, monetary rewards alone, are insufficient. You must derive a sense of accomplishment from empowering your team.

3. Delegate Wisely
To become an exceptional leader, mastering the art of delegation is crucial. Avoid undervaluing your time and energy by attempting to do everything yourself. By doing too much yourself, you not only deny your team valuable growth opportunities but also increase the risk of burnout. Instead, adopt the following approach:
• Learn the art of delegation and understand that it is not abdicating responsibility.
• Differentiate between accountability and responsibility.
• Embrace the chance to empower your direct reports.

Remember the age-old proverb: teach someone to fish, and they will never go hungry. Similarly, by delegating effectively, you enable your team to develop self-reliance and to thrive in their roles.

4. Escape the Micromanagement Trap
Micromanagement is an enemy to effective leadership. While it may stem from a desire to maintain control and ensure work quality, it ultimately stifles your team’s autonomy and erodes trust.

Micromanaging is characterised by excessive follow-up and a rigid insistence on specific work methods. Avoid falling into this trap by:
• Being mindful of your actions and their potential to restrict your team.
• Trusting your team’s capabilities and allowing them space to work.

By avoiding micromanagement, you create an environment that fosters growth, independence, and trust among your team members.

5. Seek Feedback and Keep Learning
To become an exceptional leader, you must be open to learning and adapting throughout your career. Seeking feedback provides valuable insights into areas where you can improve your skillset.

Although it can be challenging, especially when feeling out of your depth, approach feedback with a growth-oriented mindset. Avoid defensive mechanisms that might lead you to dismiss critical feedback. Instead, embrace the opportunity to learn and quickly adapt. Cultivating this habit will help you make fewer leadership mistakes overall.

In Conclusion
At this stage of your career, it is crucial to grant yourself some grace. You are a new manager, leading a team for the first time. The transition from being an individual contributor to a manager and leader involves internal struggles and intense emotions. Just like parenthood, management is not for the fainthearted. New parents seldom feel like they have it all under control, and that’s with months of preparation. They make mistakes but, they adapt and learn as they nurture their first child. You can too.

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