Getting promoted to a management position is not only a change of job, it’s a change of mindset. And for many people, it’s this mindset that causes them to struggle in their first management position, not their lack of skills or knowledge. Let’s take a look at how your mindset needs to change.
As an employee, you’re likely thinking about how to get your job done. You have tasks to perform, goals to meet, and projects to complete. Your success is often measured by how well you perform your job. But as a manager, you have to think about more than just your job, you have to think about an entire team. Here are some key mindset shifts you need to make to be a great manager.
Doing to Enabling
The first mindset shift you need to make is from thinking about how to get things done to how to enable others to get things done. Instead of thinking, “How do I get this done?” you need to think, “How can I make sure my team can get this done?” It’s a subtle difference, but it makes a huge difference between being a contributor and being a leader.
Accountability
The next mindset shift you need to make is from thinking about your own accountability to thinking about the accountability of your team. As a manager, you’re no longer responsible just for yourself and your own work, you’re responsible for the results of your team. That means you need to learn how to coach, guide, correct, and hold others accountable while keeping the big picture in mind.
Delegation
Another mindset shift you need to make is learning to delegate. Many new managers struggle with delegation because they’re used to doing things themselves. But as a manager, you can’t do it all. Instead, you need to focus on delegating tasks to your team members, then focusing on managing and coordinating their work instead of trying to control every little thing.
Strategic Thinking
As an employee, you likely focused on the day-to-day tasks in front of you. But as a manager, you need to focus on the big picture and the long-term. That means you need to develop your strategic thinking skills, the ability to make decisions today that will impact your team and the organization in the future.
Managing People
As an employee, you likely focused on managing tasks and projects. But as a manager, you need to learn how to manage people. And people are unpredictable. Every team member is different, with different strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. So you need to adapt your style to work with each of your team members instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Emotional Control
Finally, you need to master your emotions. As a manager, others look up to you for guidance and direction. So when you lose your temper, panic, or otherwise lose control of your emotions, it can impact your entire team. Instead, you need to learn how to manage your stress and emotions, staying calm and composed even in a crisis.
At StaffManageCore, we can help you develop the mindset you need to succeed as a manager. So why wait? Start your journey now, and become the confident, capable manager you were meant to be. Because the toughest part of becoming a manager isn’t getting the promotion, it’s adopting the mindset that comes with it.