8 Secrets of Successful New Managers

So you’ve been promoted to a leadership position. Are you prepared for the challenges ahead?

Phillip Perry

So you’ve been promoted to a leadership position. First, congratulations! You have been recognized for some commendable attributes.

Even so, chances are good that you feel a little nervous. Are you prepared for the challenges ahead?

To help you succeed, here’s some advice from the management experts.

1. Adopt a positive mindset.

“Make a commitment to yourself with words such as these: ‘I deserve this and I will rally to be the most effective leader I can be. I recognize that I need to continue to learn and develop my skills so I can lead and mentor an effective team.'” —Richard Avdoian, Midwest Business Institute

2. Listen more than you talk.

“Your employees know how to solve most of the problems, Listen and shape their suggestions into answers to move forward.” —John Greene, Advanced AV

3. Don’t abandon your buddies.

“Do not set yourself apart from people who were once your peers. You can still interact socially with them but you will no longer be the one who tells all the jokes and closes down the bar. You can no longer gossip about co-workers or make jokes about those in leadership positions. You need to avoid acting in ways that others could poke holes in.”
—Lois P. Frankel, Corporate Coaching International

4. Make other people big.

“Honor the bigness in others. Understand that you as the leader do not have all the skills and qualities other people have.  Tap their expertise and wisdom, and let them know they are valued for qualities beyond job requirements and responsibilities.  Create a board of advisors that meets periodically to examine best practices and collaborates to address and resolve problems.” —Avdoian

Read Next: Beyond ‘Go Get ‘Em’: Helping New Managers Succeed

5. Handle the passed-over person.

“Have a conversation with any individual who was passed over for the position you received. Say something like this: ‘The decision was not about you but about our team delivering results for the organization. I need you to be at the top of your form.’ Then get the person on your side by saying something like this: ‘My job is to make you ready for the next time a promotion becomes available. Here are the things you need to work on so you can get the promotion.'” —Randy Goruk, The Randall Wade Group

6. Adopt a flexible management style.

“Not everyone responds well to the same management style, and you will need to alter your own to meet the needs of different people you are managing. For each person, ask this question: ‘What do I have to do to make this person successful?'” —Johanna Rothman, Rothman Consulting Group

7. Keep learning.

“One of greatest mistakes leaders can make is to think they have ‘made it.’ Then they are in trouble. Instead, they need to continually improve themselves. They must get help from mentors or coaches, take classes and workshops and read books. They must always improve and be better prepared for the challenges ahead.” —Goruk

8. Get feedback.

“Always look for feedback. Search it out. Be open to the fact that you might not be man-aging in the way that people need.” —Rothman

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