Are you new to a line management role? Just been promoted and want to prove your worth?
Being a manager can be a daunting task and even more so if you’re new to the role. Your employees are your most important asset, so whether you manage five people or 55, you’ll need to establish a great working relationship to get the best from your team. It’s for that reason, we’ve put together 20 tips to make sure you’re the best line manager you can be.
- Communicate openly, clearly and consistently with your people, your peers and your own manager.
- Encourage and practice frequent 2-way communication taking care to be a good listener and show that you value the opinions of your people
- Set a good example and be a great role model
- Ask people for their input before making decisions and not the other way around
- Be decisive and demonstrate leadership and clear direction
- Help your team see the ‘big picture’
- Create an environment of constant learning and development and make sure you include yourself (you still have a lot to learn)
- Provide professional guidance
- Aim to build trust with the people you lead
- Be prepared for possible hostility from your new subordinates but don’t be defensive
- Be cautious and don’t rush into criticising current operating procedures or making dramatic changes in operations.
- Build relationships with your line management peers and don’t hesitate to ask for their advice
- Make allies of the departments or units that serve or support your function.
- Value people and be sure to give praise where it is deserved.
- Empower your people to take responsibility for their own jobs
- Believe in and encourage teamwork
- Focus on the customer and ensure that your people do the same (this applies to internal and external customers)
- Get to know your employees as people
- React to problems and issues so that they do not fester and grow
- Treat all employees fairly and equally.