HEARD
IN THE LUNCHROOM
First-Time
Management Jitters
Congratulations,
you’ve been promoted! While this is great news, it can cause more
trepidation than celebration for first-time managers. You may
have confidence in your ability to do the job but less self-assurance
when it comes to supervising others. Here are some ways to establish
credibility and win the support of your new staff:
- Communicate
clearly. Be sure to keep your team informed of project goals,
priorities and deadlines. Effective communication is essential
in building your team’s confidence in your leadership abilities.
- Set
a good example. Demand from yourself the same level of professionalism,
excellence and dedication you expect from your team. For instance,
if you require staff members to work until 6 p.m. each day,
don’t leave at 5:30 p.m.
- Delegate.
To delegate is to manage: Match the right person with the right
tasks based on your department’s needs and the abilities of
each individual.
- Trust
your team. Forty percent of executives polled by Robert
Half International said it’s common for managers to oversee
projects for which they have limited experience. That’s why
it’s important, especially for new managers, to rely on the
expertise of experienced staff and encourage everyone to share
ideas and information.
- Offer
recognition. Lack of recognition is a leading reason professionals
leave their jobs. Whether it’s publicly acknowledging employee
efforts or offering casual compliments, you'll build staff confidence
and encourage hard work by praising your team.
- Expect
the unexpected. In a survey by Robert Half International,
nearly three-quarters of executives said they respond to unexpected
crises a few times each week. Thirty-five percent address such
issues daily. While not every bump in the road is a disaster,
make sure you're always on the lookout for possible problems.
Off-Line
Advantage
Looking
for a job? Consider a low-tech approach. In a survey by Robert
Half International, nearly one-third of executives polled said
employee referrals are the most effective way to locate talented
workers. So, talk to members of your professional network about
opportunities they may know of. Securing a referral from a trusted
colleague provides you with access to positions you may not be
able to locate on your own. And there’s an implied recommendation
from the person providing the referral.
Also remember to keep your ears and eyes open for positions individuals
you know may be interested in. Passing along a helpful lead will
encourage others to return the favor. Often, there is a financial
reward, too, as many companies offer bonuses to workers who refer
new employees.
Heard
in the LunchroomSM is provided by Robert
Half, the world’s largest specialized
staffing firm and a leading authority on workplace and management
trends. For more information, visit www.rhi.com.
