Navigating the Leadership Maze: A Guide for First-Time Managers (Part 2)
In our previous blog, we discussed three of the common challenges new leaders face: (1) Communicating with your team in a way that boosts engagement and productivity; (2) Delegating effectively; (3) Managing your time.
In this blog, we are continuing our conversation.
Stepping into a managerial role for the first time can feel like being a young adventurer, entering a dense forest for the first time, with the goal making it through the forest to the fields on the other side. You've seen others venture in and out, seemingly with ease, but now it's your turn. The trees are tall and imposing, and the paths are convoluted and overgrown. Most new adventurers feel overwhelmed at first, struggling to find the right path – and sometime not seeing any viable way forward. The maps and lessons you carry from previous adventures offer little assistance. There are aspects that are familiar, but most is completely new; and navigating the forest requires equipment you do not yet have.
Often adventurers feel very isolated and begin doubting their ability to navigate this unknown and challenging environment.
In reality, you're not alone in an imagined forest scene. The trees are people and projects speeding toward you, employees and bosses who have high expectations, a towering workload, and the responsibility for somehow engaging, empowering your team to be productive.
So, what practical steps can you take to begin navigating this leadership maze?
Understand Yourself: Effective leaders are highly self-aware. They understand their strengths and weaknesses and are open to feedback. Consider seeking 360-degree feedback and taking personal assessments to gain insights into your leadership style. (16pf and DISC are two effective options)
Understand Your Team: Effective leaders lead the way their team needs to be led to be productive. To truly understand your team, you need to step into their shoes. Try to view situations from their perspective. Everyone communicates differently and has different drivers. Part of your role as a manager is to understand the communication styles of your team members and what’s important to them. This can involve listening and observing, simply asking them, and/or personality assessments.
Find a Guide: Navigating the maze of leadership can be challenging, and it's perfectly okay to ask for help or seek guidance when you need it. Many have traveled the path you’re on and can share tips and advice based on their successes and failures. Don't be afraid to reach out to a mentor, a leadership coach, or attend leadership development programs. Experienced leaders can save you a lot of time and frustration.
Be a Guide: Being a middle manager can be so stressful that it’s easy to forget your role is to guide and support your team, to cultivate an environment where your team feels empowered to take the initiative and make their own way through the forest. While leading is a great responsibility - it's not about having all the answers. It's about asking the right questions, seeking to understand, and continuously learning and adapting. As captured by Lao Tzu: "A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves."
Give Yourself Grace: The transition into a leadership role is a journey filled with ups and downs. It can be overwhelming and frustrating. Despite your best efforts and greatest intentions, you’ll mess up. Everyone, at every level of leadership, goes through this. The leaders who learn, grow, and adapt along the way are the ones who excel.
This is an amazing stage of leadership – it is one of the most exciting and important stages any leader gets to experience. Good luck on your journey, and if we can ever provide any guidance or support, please reach out at www.PeopleCap.com. Helping leaders be successful is our passion.
