All of us would be excited to get a promotion and reach the manager level, but slowly fear starts creeping in when you face the prospect of management role for the first time.
An article in hbr.org suggests a few must-know principles that will place you on a successful path.
* While it is said that managers must realise that leadership and management are both about getting the right followership, in reality, real leadership is about producing other leaders. Ask yourself are you excited and empowered because you now have the positional authority to tell people what to do or are you more excited by the prospect of helping others reach that same place.
* Best leaders are also the best mentors, but the day job of management and leadership involves allocating limited resources, whether it's dollars, time or people. Do an audit of how you have spent your time and the way you have utilised your resources. The long-term goal of great leadership is to build a great team around you to create the next generation of leaders who can — just possibly — surpass your own performance.
* Now that you are the manager, you will have to attend more meetings and this is where communication becomes all the more important. Be as clear as possible about your priorities by asking yourself: Is this meeting intended to inform, get input, or get approval?
Be consistent about your purpose and your priorities.Take advantage of the opportunity to clarify your overarching purpose and which of your top priorities are required to fulfill that purpose.
* Much can be solved if people agree on and practice a set of common values and standards. With a strong foundation in truth, especially self-awareness, leaders and organisations are more likely to develop the capacity for compassion.
Compassionate leadership is about holding back judgment with a mindset that is open, empathic, and generous.
* None of us can ever be completely confident that we’re 100 per cent on the right track, yet from the time we arrive at work in the morning, we’re called upon to inspire confidence in others.
For new leaders and managers, the challenge and opportunity comes from the humble recognition that no one is invincible. It comes from giving team members the confidence that decisions are being made in a balanced, thoughtful way. Finally, it comes from showing that, in the end, the most strategic approach is the one with the strongest foundation and potential for success.
Regardless, celebrate and embrace your vulnerability, because if you don’t feel any, you’re probably not pushing yourself hard enough.