Congratulations you did it now how do you Handle your Promotion to Management
This is what I wanted...right?
The ascension to management is a goal that some people have when engaging the world of work. People dream about "climbing the corporate ladder" because they perceive there to be rewards and success at the top of that ladder. Indeed, there are benefits to promotion but there are also new challenges and definitive drawbacks. Management is not the "promised land." Rather, it is a place that sparks both envy and fear from employees. Here are a few thoughts on how to handle the promotion to management.
Listen
The successful manager listens to their employees. Listening is more than hearing because it involves actually understanding what is said and weighing it against other perspectives. That said, listening does not mean that the manager always has to do what the employee requests. Sometimes employees are fine with the manager disagreeing with them, as long as the employee has a sense that they have been heard and considered.
Authenticity
Some new managers go through an unhealthy metamorphosis where they transform into an entirely new persona. To be sure, a manager has to shift their behavior patterns and embrace the responsibility of a supervisor. However, people start to question authenticity when the new manager starts to espouse viewpoints that they publicly condemned just a short time ago. This leads people to worry that the new manager has "sold out" and "gone to the dark side." Therefore, if people are going to proclaim new enlightenments as a manager, they should be ready to explain their change in perspective.
Boundaries
New managers do have to have boundaries. When someone is hired as a manager, they must maintain a healthy amount of space between themselves and their employees. This can be a bit awkward, particularly when people are promoted from within the organization. However, the manager is no longer one of the "gang." They can still have a sense of humor, have fun, and create an enjoyable work environment. However, they must remember that a time will come where they have to discipline or fire an employee. When that time comes, they will be thankful if they have kept some professional space between themselves and that particular employee.
Remember the past (but don't trust your memory)
The new manager should try and remember the past and ponder what it was like when they were in other positions. This will help them keep perspective and prevent them from losing touch. Still, they should "remember" that memories fade over time and people tend to romanticize previous experiences. In addition, environments and situations change so job titles may be the same, but the work may be totally different. Therefore, the manager has to be careful that they do not assume that they always "feel" what their employees are experiencing.
Keep learning
Learning should be an ongoing process, even for the manager. Nothing say inauthentic like a new manager who takes the job and suddenly know everything there is to know on all subjects. Managers are still human, and while they have to maintain some sense of control and professionalism, they can also admit when they make mistakes and when they do not have all of the answers.
Don't let it go to your head
Getting promoted to management can certainly be a boost to one's ego, but few people respect someone who is egotistical. Therefore, people have to be aware that their ascension do not mean that they can be arrogant. They have attained a higher position, but they have not be anointed to royalty. Nor have to discovered the fountain of knowledge. People who get promoted have to keep their heads and remember that they want their employees to follow their lead. If they get too cocky, they risk alienating their staff and co-workers.
Hire right
Smart managers are those people who hire intelligent individuals to be part of their team. Too often, people get very protective about their newfound power. This sometimes leads them to hire people who they perceive to be weaker. Unfortunately, this can lead to a lesser team and lower production. Again, management is not just about rising to the top of organizational intelligence. There will always be people who have particularly expertise and the good manager harnesses that ability for the betterment of the organization.
Live life
Finally, the manager has to realize that there are other things to accomplish in life than just being a manager. Some people ascend to management and proceed to dedicate their entire lives to the company. For some, this is because they don't have a lot of other areas to spend their time. However, some people do have other things like family, friends, and community. Management is an accomplishment, but it is not everything in life. People still have to live outside of work and they should have something to go home to when the day is done.
