[acb-hsp] Seven Ways to Shina As a Manager

[peter altschul]

7 Ways New Managers Can Shine
  Roberta Matuson February 22, 2013
  Being tossed into management is like free falling out of an 
airplane: The experience can be deadly if you don't know what you 
are doing, or exhilarating if you do.  Read this before jumping.
  "Pss/tt...C you keep a secret? I've just been made a manager 
and I haven't a clue what to do!" This was exactly what went 
through my head over 20 years ago when I found myself suddenly in 
charge.  My focus should have been on what I could do to shine 
from day one.  But instead, I worried that it would only be a 
matter of time before my secret was out.  Executives and managers 
shared similar stories with me when I was doing research for my 
book
  It's no secret that those who find themselves tossed into 
management with little more than a hope and a prayer aren't ready 
to fully engage in all that is required of more experienced 
managers.  But there is certainly something about you that 
indicated you were right for this job.  Your job is to build on 
these strengths, while you try and master the other skills 
necessary to be a successful leader.  Here are seven ways you can 
shine from day one:
  *1.  Manage those above yddinin Some of you may be thinking, 
"How the heck am I going to manage people above me when I haven't 
even figured out how to do my job?" Trust me.  I can tell you 
from personal experience that if you don't begin with managing 
up, you won't have to worry about managing down.  It is critical 
to learn how to manage these relationships effectively so that 
you can secure the resources you need to be successful in any 
situation.  Observe how others successfully gain resources in the 
organization and follow suit when their approach aligns with your 
values.
  *2.  Decode your bossddinin I can't recall a time when I've 
seen a boss adjust their management style to that of an 
employee's.  This means you will be the one who will be doing the 
adjusting.  Begin by observing how your manager uses authority, 
the way she relates to others, and her communication style as a 
leader.  Most bosses typically fall into one of the following 
categories: dictatorial, laissez-faire, bureaucratic, 
consultative.  Once you determine the type of manager you've been 
handed, you can then study ways to work most effectively with 
this type of leader.
  *3.  Become a master player of office politicsddinin You are in 
the game, so deal with it.  In every organization, there are 
unwritten rules.  We call this office politics.  The sooner you 
understand these rules, the better.  Politics in the workplace 
isn't just about manipulation.  It's about using power 
effectively to get what you need.  People who are masters at this 
game follow unwritten rules that allow them to maneuver swiftly 
through the organization to obtain scarce resources, approval of 
prized projects, and promotions.  Can you see now why it's 
important to pay attention to this?
  *4.  Toot your own hornddinin For years we've been taught that 
it's not polite to brag.  But if we donbt do so, how will others 
know about our contributions? I can assure you when companies are 
putting together lay-off lists they aren't including those whose 
contributions are well known throughout the organization.  You 
may be the best singer in the room, but no one will know this if 
you never open your mouth.
  *5.  Manage performanceddinin No one likes to tell an employee 
they are not meeting expectations, but how can they improve 
without feedback? Clearly define your expectations and 
communicate regularly so employees know exactly where they stand 
all year long.  Provide timely well-thought-out performance 
reviews that are specific in nature so employees know exactly the 
type of behavior you would like to see repeated.
  *6.  Be respectfulddinin Be mindful of your tone.  It's easy to 
bark orders and have others respond out of fear.  But eventually 
you'll gain a reputation that will be difficult to shake.  
Effective leaders do not yell at their employees nor do they chew 
them out in front of customers or other employees.  They speak to 
them like they matter.
  *7.  Hire the bestddinin At first it may be a bit intimidating 
hiring people who are smarter than you.  You will shine the most 
when those around you are beaming.  Hire bright people who will 
step things up in your workgroup and do whatever it takes to see 
that they are promoted.
  Begin by choosing one or two of these tips, and before you know 
it, you will be succeeding all around.
  Roberta Chinsky Matuson is an internationally recognized expert 
on increasing profitability by maximizing employee contribution.  
Her website is matusonconsultingddcom She is the author of 
Suddenly in Charge: Managing Up, Managing Down, Succeeding All 
Around a Washington Post Top-B-5 Leadership pick.  Her new book, 
The Magnetic Workplace: How to Hire Top Talent That Will Stick 
Around, will be published in 2013.  Sign up to receive a 
subscription to Robertabs complimentary newsletter a Copyright B) 
2013 Mansueto Ventures LLC.  All rights reserved.