In my 20 years of professional career, the experience I gained as a Manager helped me to grow as a better human being. Worked with many managers from various countries, race and culture. The common thing was “managing the work”

Hard Facts –

Time to TRUST – It all starts with TRUST

Be Humble on promotion. It’s a reward for your performance.

Understand that you now play a big role in your team’s success.

Your success depends on your team’s success.

Position yourself as a solution provider.

Going forward you need to frame and form the opportunity for team and environment. First day of job is not the right time.

You are expert last Friday, but on Monday, you are beginner.

LISTEN and OBSERVE more

Most of the Managers failed to “manage people” which is the main ingredient for success. I am staunch believer of this.

Sharing the knowledge and learnings I gathered can be useful for the first time managers.

In my earlier days of the career (2004-2006), it was 6 days manager thing. Now its “Boss on Monday, Friend on Friday”

Once you don “Manager” hat, things change drastically. Once buddies, now become team members. “Influence” comes into picture and the conversation is not that free flowing

Observe the “emotions” of your team members when they “smile” or “handshake” with you. You may experience the difference in commitment and support.

You know the recipe of “managing” your BOSS. Put that in practical when you manage a team. Give them “Ears” and “LISTEN” to their thoughts. “Empathy” and “Respect” takes to a long way. While doing all this, never forget the “Business Objective”

My mentor taught me 3 things which tremendously helped me to grow in professional life.

Discuss on 3 things –

What’s working?

What’s not?

What do you need from me?

One-on-one always help. Listen to ideas, frustration and requests. It removes awkwardness and change in relations.

Daily positive and constructive “FEEDBACK” works. Feedback should be specific and business focused. Sometimes behavioural feedback is required. The ratio is 3:1 for positive v/s constructive feedback.

“Accountability” starts with you. Avoid and be careful for special treatment to star players and problem CHILD. Never create multiple set of rules.

Remember – Commitment is Commitment and everyone on floor is watching.

Don’t be MICRO-MANAGER. You never liked it so your team is not exception to that. Always be “TRANSPARENT” about your agenda. You were striving to be at right position at right time armed with tools and process, same is followed by your team.

Monday morning meetings are PAINFUL. Move that to late afternoon. Give that comfort zone to settle down and find their bearings in the new week. Make sure that there is PURPOSE behind this time consuming and expensive group meetings. Don’t embarrass team members in public.

Every day, you are armed with number of opportunities to do the right thing in support of creating an effective working environment.

Feedback is part of daily business. Good people seek more feedback for self-improvement.

If you say you are doing something, then do it. All are watching.

Never be personal on giving feedback. Respect is non-negotiable. Engage with the team, not challenge them.