What advice do you have for a brand new manager?
I am going to be managing a home oil delivery trucking fleet very soon and I am looking for any advice you have to share with a first time manger. I am open to books or websites with resources that I can read to help me be successful in my new role. Thank you!
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Aug 30, 2015
Congratulations on your new position. I recommend setting the the relationship nurturing activities in motion by getting in the habit of friendship/celebration/service for the coworkers and the customers. There is an awesome tool out there these days that is perfect for it. Let me know if you want to know more
Aug 16, 2015
I have a different take on this subject. I come from a Business Management background and I never tried in my career for a management position. There is a reason. Management is necessarily a position that must put concern for the people you manage first. Improvements are good for your career and meeting the demands and needs of your role are crucial. On the other hand, half of your responsibility is taking care of your people so that they can meet their job role requirements and work for your needs to support their answers as well. I have never been good at people over answers needed and improved. Please be aware that a good manager knows that this is a very important part of his or her entire success.
Aug 15, 2015
First and foremost, Learn the company, their current process, most importantly current management system they have in place, their employees, and remember it was because of your personality which open the door for you to get this opportunity, learn how to inject that using diplomacy in your decision making, suggestion, recommendation, implementation etc. And key point to be a effect Manager no matter what the company product or services is keep communication with upper and lower levels so important and be a good listener also, what makes a great manager that he is always open to hear others thoughts and views. Utilizing just these few principles you will become a perfect fit and fulfill their expectation , and it is every day a learning process. So do put expectations to high Because being a MANAGER IS DAILY LEARNING POSITIONS IT DOES NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. No matter how much experience you may have or don't have, learn management skills because in today's working force you have to be very open and not close minded if you will, adaptable to rapid changes at all levels.
Aug 14, 2015
Always listen to your employees - especially if they have been there longer than you have.
Aug 14, 2015
There's lots of good advice here, but I particularly like those that talk of trusting your team. Take ten minutes to watch this TED talk, which makes this point exceptionally well.
http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_why_good_leaders_make_you_feel_safe
Aug 13, 2015
Congrats!
Do your best, be open, learn a lot, absorb immense amazing materials from the best leaders from different fields...because everything is not just about your knowledge in the oil industry but how you handle critical situations, how you communicate and delegate tasks, how effective are you at creating new relationships and network to your business. It is at your personal and social skills what would stand out most. Learn to become a leader and deliver the best you can.
For books or websites, I would recommend subscribing to scrib.com since it has an amazing valuable arrange of books, ebooks, audio books to read on your spare time on the topic you feel interested at the moment. When you get knowledge in a specific topic it became easier to establish connections and start communicating with important people in your area or even to translate business rules and needs to others- you get to ask the right question and you become greatly involved and collaborative because of your knowledge, energy and enthusiasm to learn more.
A manager, as any professional, don't know it all. But great manager know what to look for, what network to tap into, whom to ask what, and what resources to use when hard situations arise. Surround with the best at all possible, talk cautiously but intelligently, and start building your network with people that will complement your skills.
Success! :)
Aug 13, 2015
Hi Adam,
Good luck and my best wishes to you.
I always ask this question in my recruitment sessions to hire managers "What are the first three things you will do if you are hired?". Here I am searching for specific answers on first action. I have written a long article on the topic and will be glad to share it later.
Until then my top tips for first three actions:
1. Meet my boss to have a clear understanding of his vision and strategic direction. Eventually you are promoted to help him achieve that
2. Meet the previous manager to have his insight about the role, the business, the team and the expected challenges
3. Meet your team individually and run an informal discussion with each one, you need to formulate an opinion about your direct reports
These are the first week action plan.
Wish you geat success in your management role.
Aug 13, 2015
Moving up into the ranks of management is a very exciting time. It happened to my at 27 with General Mills. I was extatic and overwhelmed all at the same time.
Here's what I remember working and not working:
Get really clear about your goals for this new position. Talk with your boss and find out what is most important for him/her and for the position you are managing.
Learn as much about the people you are responsible for. Get to know them and establish trust.
Understand the company's value proposition and what your current customer's think about it.
Get familiar with all of the systems and tools available to you. You will be setting an example for those you oversee as well as those you report to.
I wouldn't get too deep into management books at this point but one you could read is The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard.
Now, what not to do!
Don't come on too strong. Demonstrate real professionalism by asking questions and listening. Too much talking or edicts can derail your authority at this point.
Dont do things that call your professionalism into question. Treat everyone with respect. Keep it professional. Too much buddy-type behavior can send mixed signals.
Don't give people a reason to question your intentions. Demonstrate trustworthiness. Keep conversations confidential. Don't be veiwed as someone who devulges details about others.
Don't convey a lack of intention. Be proactive. Use the systems you have. Keep appointments. Don't be afraid to make suggestions that are relavent and well thought out.
Learn all that you can and build solid relationships. In time, you will develop into an effective, well regarded management professional.
Aug 13, 2015
One of the most difficult things you need to understand is that as a first time manager you now must depend on others to get the job done. Your success will not come by your efforts alone. Therefore, do not try to do it all by yourself. Secondly, I have always adhered to a simple Management philosophy. TLC. Teach from experience. Lead by example. Communicate clearly.
Lastly. Lead people. Manage processes
Aug 12, 2015
Volkmer listed excellent steps. I would add a few more: 1. Become a leader; it takes practice and learning. Find a good leadership development opportunity and take advantage of it. 2. Become a good listener; your team will respect and follow you when they realize that you are ready to listen to them. 3. Provide your team the tools and resources they need to be successful. 4. Celebrate the wins your team accomplishes. Success breeds success. 5. Relax; bad things happen but if your team is doing the right things in the end it will all be good.
Aug 12, 2015
Point 1...If you have people that will be reporting to you...get to know them...find out what makes them "tick"...listen to what they are saying. Point 2...product knowledge. Point 3...process knowledge. Point 4...you get what you measure.
I hope it helps...it worked for me!
Aug 12, 2015
Be patient, listen, ask questions so you can understand why clients purchase from your company, why they purchase from your reps, why your reps love selling and what prevents them from selling more. Avoid the temptation to jump right in, Get a lay of the land first. Most important ask clients, reps, and support, how you can help them be better at their job and how you can help the client have a better experience working with your company.
Aug 12, 2015
Congratulations Adam! Here's what I suggest you do:
1. Get a thorough understanding of what you are responsible for in your role.
2. Get a thorough understanding of who/what impacts what you are responsible for in your role.
3. Get a thorough understanding of who/what is impacted by what you are responsible for in your role.
4. Spend time with the employees that you manage as they perform their daily duties and also perform the duties yourself. This gets instant respect from your employees.
5. Get a thorough understanding of how your role impacts your manager.
6. Meet on a regular basis with your team to discuss team performance, hear their ideas on ways to improve and to keep them abreast of company issues.
7. Make sure you have good people skills.
8. Make sure your employees have the tools they need (training, customer service skills, etc) that they will need to be successful.
9. Manage your employees objectively - what are they getting paid to do. Hopefully you have job descriptions and performance standards in place.
Hope this helps!
Aug 12, 2015
Hello Adam, let me join with all the commentators in wishing you the best on your new journey. Before I respond to any significant point in your question I would like to suggest 'One Minute Manager' by Ken Blanchard. Use it to learn about the various characteristics displayed by managers or supervisory as they develop.
In identifying the trucking/logistics industry it seems that you perceive that there may be issues which may not be common to managers in other industries and you are right. There are regulatory issues around the length of time a driver spends on the road, understanding the different regulations around weight of freight, understanding the health and well being issues for lone workers and long distance workers, managing your budgets particularly in terms of fuel and maintenance cost against the need to meet the demands which have being booked by a team which you may not have day to day contact with. A plan induction which covers all the things you know, and things you don't know paced over 30 days (it take 21 days to learn new things but 60+ for them to be embedded) should help.
You have also asked to be directed to resources for success as a criteria for enjoying your new role. Can I suggest you turn this around. The thing you would need most at this stage is a coach/mentor who can show you how to identify personal issues to your success and to whom you can be accountable. Trying to be successful through resources with process techniques only works if you already have some experience and can use their suggestion to adopt your current mode of operating, and if you really know you traits, attitude triggers and behaviour flaws.
Hope this helps
Aug 12, 2015
Hi Adam, as you mentioned websites I thought you might be interested in this blog. http://bit.ly/1fCRfIN I'll be up front and say that it's my blog but it's packed full of practical advice for any manager so you can make your own way.
Aug 12, 2015
Congrats on your recent job promotion! You must have earned it. What do you think made you a good leader?
I recommend setting up one-on-ones with each of the folks who will support you. Get to know them. Ask them why they love the work they do and how you can help them love it more. Listen to their ideas. Invite feedback to streamline inefficiencies.
Share ideas you have and see if they make sense for what people "on the ground" are seeing.
Model good time management and impeccable response-time to emails, phone calls, etc. Prioritize your own health to sustain the work you're doing.
Good luck! :)
Aug 12, 2015
Congratulations on your new position. I had a teacher in business give great advice when becoming a manager. "Make haste slowly." By that he meant don't try to make a lot of changes from the start. Learn about the business, the customers, and the employees you will manage.
From my experience, I've also found that truly listening to those working for you and asking for their ideas (and if they are sound, implementing them) builds morale and the desire for your employees to work with you (not for you).
Lead by example.
Aug 12, 2015
First of all, congratulations. Second, kudos for asking for council. Even the richest and wisest man that ever lived (Solomon) when asked by God what he most desired, he asked for wisdom and was handsomely rewarded. Read and study some great management and personal authors like Ken Blanchard (One Minute Manager), Steven Covey (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) Pat Morley (Man in the Mirror) and most especially the one that has been my greatest resource The Holy Bible. Good luck and God bless, management is fun once you learn how to grow yourself and the people around you.
Aug 12, 2015
my advice is to read the following books
https://pragprog.com/book/rdbcd/behind-closed-doors
https://pragprog.com/book/jrpm/manage-it
I would also suggest watching the six sigma yellow belt training course
https://goleansixsigma.com/free-lean-six-sigma-training/
Aug 11, 2015
Well, Adam, as a manager you will lead people to make the things happen:
- First of all I suggest you to understand what are the strategic directions of your company and in what context your area is involved on
- Transmit clearly in terms of actions toyour team
- Study the profiles of each of your team and try to get the most from them according to their abilities and skills
- Explain your intentions as much as needed to be fully understood by your team
- Measure from time to time, on a regular basis, the result of your actions
- Listen to your team, analyse what they are saying and decide if it is necessary to make changes;
- Provide feedback to your team, let them know what you are thinking about them;
- People Management and Coaching books could be very useful in your free time.
Good Luck.