It may well be the case that you have been coveting the role you have recently acquired for some time now and are therefore already fully aware of everything you know you would like to improve.
Obviously, there is no sense in simply making changes for the sake of it, but with your new role as a manager, supervisor, or head of department, it is time to make your mark and steer the company in the right, more profitable, direction.
So, with this in mind, continue reading to discover the top eight impressive changes to make as the new head of your department or manager of the company.
1. Be a Visible Presence
More often than not, friends and family members who are dissatisfied with the lack of support and encouragement they receive from their boss or team leader speak of the simple fact that they never seem to be around when they need them.
Just like Woody Allen famously said, “eighty percent of success comes down to just showing up,” and as such, make sure you are seen and consistently visible throughout your workplace or office—from the cleaning cupboard to the warehouse.
2. Keep on Building Your Own Knowledge
The world of business—regardless of the industry in which your specific company is based—is constantly changing, expanding, and evolving and as such, so should your knowledge base and ideally, your level of experience.
From choosing to take “extracurricular” evening or weekend courses in management and leadership, to taking your current degree level qualification to the next stage, expanding your knowledge will garner respect and trust from each and every one of your employees.
3. Make Some Key Improvements
If your previous professional role was within the company you are now leading, you will be all too aware of the advantages and conversely, the disadvantages, of certain software programs or pieces of technology in the current working environment.
One such change you could implement would be to improve the broadband service currently provided, and especially if your employees utilize computing and computing technologies all day every day, upgrading to a renowned and established internet provider in Surprise, AZ is a good idea.
4. Find a Professional Mentor
Even if you have attended more management seminars than you can shake a stick at, you will never truly understand what is needed in the particular company you currently run or work for until you are actually doing the job itself.
However, just because you have never encountered a particular situation before, it stands to reason that other managers surely have, which is why an excellent idea to both progress your leadership skills as well as making you better at your job is to find a professional mentor.
5. Address Shifts in Relationships Head On
Whether you have been hired as part of an internal recruitment policy (and therefore are already more than familiar with the people with whom you have been tasked with) or you are coming to the company as a “newbie,” avoid making the mistake of trying to be liked by everyone.
Moreover, if you are personal friends with one or more people who used to be colleagues, but are now managed by you, you should address the proverbial elephant in the room and arrange a discussion whereby you explain the situation.
In a professional context, naturally there will be a shift in terms of how close the pair of you are, but remember to reassure your friend that out of work, nothing will change. Additionally, you should also bear in mind that even if your friend is genuinely incredibly happy for you and your promotion, they still may feel slightly resentful, at least in the short-term.
6. Always Be Honest
Cultivating an honest and open culture amongst you and your team is absolutely essential and to make the lives of your HR department substantially smoother, take a look at the following tips and start to implement at least a couple as soon as possible:
- Share with your employees both the positives and the negatives
- Establish a comprehensive and simple whistleblowing policy
- Be clear to your employees that your door is open and you want to know their concerns
- Hold regular yet functional and productive meetings with the entire team
- Always remember that actions speak louder than words ever can
7. Keep Your Own Manager Regularly Updated
Often, once rewarded with a promotion, individuals can throw themselves (quite rightly) into making the role their own and doing everything they can to make sure the hiring was the right choice.
However, as important as it is for you to do exactly that, you must also remember to report to your own boss on not only the progress of your teams and individual employees—both good and bad—but to also keep them updated with your own progression.
Moreover, as important as it is for you to be visible and accessible to your own employees, your manager is always there for you to discuss any concerns or issues you may have.
8. Improve Your Leadership Skills
Even if you have been a manager of people for many years, there may well be more than a few bad habits which you have taken on as your own, some of which you may not even be aware of on a conscious level.
The eighth and final impressive change to make as the new head of department or manager of the company is to actively seek to improve your leadership skills—ideally before you start. Develop your skills in strategic thinking, specifically in terms of making key decisions which will affect your employees and also as a way to better organize your priorities, both large and small.
Start to grow your confidence in delegation and once you have assigned a certain employee to a particular project, have the trust and respect to let that employee flourish, instead of being tempted to micromanage.
In addition, look to develop and hone your interpersonal communication skills, which are essential for any manager.
