Words of Wisdom for New Managers

Managing a team of people can be a challenge for new managers. If you've been newly promoted or are beginning a new position, it helps to be aware of common mistakes made by new managers. Use the following list as a guide in helping you learn the ropes while keeping your reputation and working relationships intact.

Don't Act Too Quickly

New managers can sometimes feel that as soon as they arrive on the scene, they need to overhaul everything and create new systems and procedures. Try to control yourself in the early days, as this kind of overzealous behavior can ruffle feathers and cause people to instantly dislike you. Take the time to establish and nurture your relationship with your team before making new changes or creating rules. When it comes time to make a necessary change, make sure your team is on board before pulling the trigger.

It's OK to Ask Questions

Many new managers believe that if they ask questions, they will appear inexperienced and incompetent. This is far from the truth. The fact is, there will be many things that will require you to get assistance or clarification in the beginning. It's important to know who is responsible for what as well as what processes are currently in place before embarking on a new management campaign. If anything is unclear to you, don't be afraid to ask your boss, other managers or even members of your own team.

Customize Your Approach

Many managers, not just new ones, make the common mistake of trying to manage and motivate their team using a generalized blanket approach. Understand that your team is made up of individuals and what works to motivate one person may not work for another. Everyone has different working styles and communication approaches, so take the time to get to know each person on a personal level. Once you know each person's individual working style, you'll be better equipped to assign projects and tasks based on their strengths, leading to a happier, more effective team.

Don't Get Too Friendly

As a new manager, it can be quite tempting to want everyone on your team to like you. While a warm, friendly working relationship with your team members is ideal, avoid getting too friendly. You are in charge of making key decisions that affect your team members, and you will be privy to information they can't know. Trying to maintain a personal friendship on top of this is next to impossible and makes giving objective feedback a hassle. This may seem harsh, but it's all part of being a manager. "As the boss, you have to have a professional distance," says Alison Green, creator of the Ask a Manager blog.

Make your transition into management a smoother one by following the tips outlined here, but don't be too hard on yourself. As a new manager, don't expect perfection from day one. You are bound to make some mistakes along the way; the difference between a manager and a good manager is how you learn from those mistakes. With time and dedication, both you and your team will become more comfortable with the manager-employee relationship.

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