7 Top tips for first time managers

Taking the step up to a role as a manager can often be a daunting proposition.  

If you have the necessary management training and years of management experience, it makes things a lot easier, however, not everyone has this. 

Did you know 26% of managers feel they are not ready for the role?  

CMI chartered manager courses are effective in giving learners the leadership skills and knowledge they need to succeed in leadership and management positions.  

Although training courses provide more extensive knowledge on management, we have compiled a list of top tips for the first-time manager that may help in their attempts to settle into a new role. 

1. Take your time 

If you are new to the role of manager it helps to take your time and give yourself the best opportunity to understand your new position and/or the business that you are in. If you know an experienced manager it may be of use to ask them to provide some form of formal or informal mentoring that will help you as you begin to find your feet. 

2. Stay open to new ideas and feedback 

Now that you are a manager you may feel that you have to be the one that comes up with all the answers. This is not the case. Speak to your team and incorporate their ideas and feedback into your day-to-day work and planning for larger projects. It is important that your team feels like they are listened to and have your professional respect. 

3. Share out the best work 

We all want to feel mentally stimulated in the workplace. So make sure you are giving your team plenty of work that can get their mental juices flowing. Make sure you aren’t hoarding all the most interesting and challenging work for yourself, delegate out as fairly as possible to members of your team and give them the opportunity to prove their value to you and your organisation. 

4. Remember to recognise good work 

This would appear to be a no-brainer, but it is so often overlooked in the stress of the work day. Your team relies on you to acknowledge their successes, remember that a small gesture can go a long way to motivate your team. 

5. Remain open to learning new skills 

Nobody is ever above the need for self-improvement. Remember that as a manager you are on a continuous learning curve that will see you developing throughout your career. You should never feel like you have achieved perfection. By learning new skills you can pass your own development onto your team and also understand the rigours of the work that you are asking them to take on. 

6. Adapt your time management to reflect your new role 

The demands on your time will no doubt change. Whilst before your commitments may have been limited to performing your role, you are now going to need to dedicate time to a range of new tasks. 

Make sure you are delegating tasks to your team, not only to keep them challenged but also to give yourself the time you need to complete your new range of tasks. 

7. Always try to provide your team with the ‘big picture’ explaining their role in its realisation 

Keep your team engaged and motivated by informing them (where possible) of how their work is feeding into the goals and successes of the wider organisation. Show them the value of their hard work and dedication and they will be inspired to keep delivering. 

Effective, successful management requires proper skills and knowledge. Without completing a certified manager course as part of your continuing professional development, you risk unsuccessful management, which can be detrimental to your organisation.   

The CMI is a professional body specialising in management training courses. If you want to become a successful manager, consider a CMI management course.  

Find out more about our Management and Leadership Level 3 and Level 5 Diploma CMI course..