Becoming a manager for the very first time is a tremendously exciting, yet overwhelming experience for anyone.
As an appointed leader, you now have the right and the authority to make an impact, effect change, and guide your team to success. Your first big challenge, however, is to figure out how exactly you can do all that!
As a first-timer, you should expect yourself to make a couple of mistakes. Remember that your transition to a management role is not just a promotion that comes with an increase in your salary. Once you're promoted, you'll step in a new role that comes with new sets of responsibilities and requires new skills.
The following are the mistakes you're likely to make in the beginning of your young career as a manager:
1. Trying to do things on your own
When you were still an employee, all you needed to do was focus on your tasks. You knew exactly what your responsibilities were and how to get them done. But now that you're a manager, you can't just put your attention on your individual tasks. It is your job to focus on how you can make your team perform their tasks. Keep in mind that your success is measured by the success of your employees, so be ready to supervise, guide, and mentor your team members.
2. Thinking too much about details instead of goals
When you become a manager, it will be nearly impossible for you to know and keep track of every single detail of your members' projects. Trying to know such details might turn you into a micromanager, which is something you should avoid at all costs!
To be an effective manager, you must look at the bigger picture. Do not oversee individual projects, but instead, pay attention to the progress of your team as a whole in relation to the projects they are working on.
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3. Making too many promises
As a new manager, you're likely to feel so eager to please your team members so you can prove to them that you are a good leader. This isn't a bad thing, but make sure you don't make grand promises that you won't be able to keep. You should first get a feel for how things work and operate in the company, and from there, look for ways to improve the working condition of your employees.
4. Copying others' management style
At some point, you need to develop your own management style. While there's nothing wrong with drawing inspiration from someone you look up to, it's not a good habit to just copy another person's leadership style. What's important is that you be who you are, discover your own strengths and limitations as a manager , and just work your way to becoming an effective leader.