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Survival Tips

for New Managers

Special Report From: EasySmallBusinessHR.com

Congratulations! You made it to management after years of hard

work and sacrifice. You received the raise you deserve. You got

the office space you wanted. You have the title you always

dreamed of. Now what?

After all, your responsibilities are different now: hiring, firing,

mentoring. If you’re looking for new manager advice, you’ve

come to the right place. Here are three tips for new managers to

help ease the transition from staff member to decision maker:

1. Recognize that moving up the corporate ladder is a big

adjustment.

No matter how successful you were as a member of the team,

things will be different now. Instead of focusing on a specialized

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task, your goals will place more emphasis on the big picture—from

hiring new staff to planning an efficient work flow. The transition

will require the ability to learn new skills as well as the patience to

navigate the sometimes steep learning curve.

2. Understand that management is not a popularity contest.

When it comes to providing tips for new managers, this is a piece

of advice no one likes to give. Even if you were the employee that

everyone—from the CEO to the part-time help—loved, you’ll now

be working with people who have their own agendas. And, as

unfortunate as it might be, expect to be the target of backbiting,

gossip, or finger pointing. Be wary of how you handle these

situations, though, because a few of these less-than-nice colleagues

may have the power to launch or sink your career.

3. Know that pressure will magnify your weaknesses.

Whether you’re quick to anger or slow to act, those personality

quirks that didn’t mean as much in the past will be under the

magnifying glass when you’re a new manager. What’s worse,

these weaknesses become even more apparent when the pressures

of leadership start weighing on your shoulders. It’s time to

recognize your shortcomings and work to eliminate them.

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4. Aim high and put challenges in their proper place.

Perhaps your desire to achieve was one of the reasons you were

promoted in the first place. It’s a success-building quality that will

take you far; but don’t hold such high expectations that the

frustration of dealing with office politics or other stumbling blocks

wears you down into a beaten and exhausted shell. One of the

important traits of successful managers is the ability to prioritize

challenges and focus on the ones that matter.

If being a manager were easy, everyone could do it. The truth is

that it’s a challenge. Follow these tips for new managers and start

down the path toward becoming the leader you know you can be.

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