Transitioning from Rank and File employee to Supervisor
Getting promoted is a sign that your skills and excellent performance are recognized. It's gratifying because it feels like your company sees that you can contribute more to its improvement. But sudden role change in the workplace can be overwhelming, especially if it's something you didn't expect and prepare for. Imagine this; you're starting to get comfortable and familiar with your current position, then suddenly, you're the boss. That's where the challenge begins.
Moving from a managerial role is a big step for your company and career. You're not merely finishing tasks and contributing to the company anymore but leading colleagues now! Behind all the good things about promotion is the self-doubt you might feel. You're facing new responsibilities and must change how you work and think. More than that, you must prove that you're fit and capable for that new role. So, how can you handle these new things and ensure a smooth transition to your new position?
Stop focusing on the privileges.
A common mistake new managers have is thinking they are only an authoritative figure in the company. So once they live up to the role, they are overwhelmed with the pressures and demands they receive. Before you start working as a manager, you must realize that you're working to become a leader and not just a boss. You can better prepare for your new role as soon as you eliminate the myth that you're only ordering and commanding your colleagues around. Being a manager is difficult because you are now in charge of creating an agenda for the whole team, creating a culture that allows their potential to flourish, and retaining a good relationship with them. Thus, welcoming your leadership role with clear and good intentions is a great start.
A new role means having new attitudes.
When you think you can have the same mindset you had in your old position, you set yourself up for failure. The faster you change how you view and do your work, the quicker you settle into that new managerial role.
Sometimes, you will get tempted to do all the work because you think it will be faster. But it would be best to remember that doing that will only harm you and your colleagues. You will end up micromanaging them and losing your energy to work on more critical tasks like strategic thinking and team management. So learning to delegate effectively will help your team develop and allow you to manage them well.
Moreover, having an open mind as a manager can help you better understand how your team works. As you have become a contributor, you came up with a unique way of doing your work, and it might get frustrating when you see your team not adopting it. You must learn to accept the working styles of your colleagues so you would know who's fit for specific responsibilities but also help you become flexible. However, it doesn't mean you have to overlook those underperforming. You must know when is the right time to intervene and the right time to let them have and do their way.
Lastly, you must invest time deeply knowing your company, team, and customers. You might not have that time in your old position because you're focused on finishing your tasks. But as a manager, you must understand your company's intricacies and the people you're working with to push them to improve and serve your clients better. It's about gaining a better perspective to act cross-functionally and strategically. Discover what other departments do and the current trends in the industry, pay attention to what your clients want and need, and set meetings with your team! Do everything you can to understand better who and what you're working for.
Managers also need managing.
We may think that new managers' success depends only on their performance, but we tend to forget that it also lies in the hands of the company that promoted them to that position. As a company, you must understand that your new managers and supervisors will require initial training and ongoing assistance if you expect them to perform well in their new roles and duties. Also, if you want less "correction" or redirection, you must develop and prepare them beforehand. Here are ways you can do this:
● Assign a mentor or coach so they have someone to lean on for support and answer their questions.
● Discuss with them the management expectations, standards, and leadership styles you want them to incorporate.
● Ensure they know the proper procedures and have access to guides when faced with managerial issues.
● Motivate them to resist their tendency to revert to the strategies that were effective for them in their previous position.
● Observe how much (or little) they delegate, how they connect with their staff, and how well their team performs.
● Provides more resources and training to help them become more self-aware, adapt their behavior to the needs of their team, and eventually become more successful managers.
In conclusion, ensuring a smooth transition boils down to the preparation of the company and the employee. So if you are about to be promoted or just got promoted to a managerial position, PVP offers "From Rank & File to Supervisor: A Role Transitioning Training" to help you navigate this significant change in your career. Let PVP help in achieving the success of your leader-shift journey!
Resources:
● Hill, L. A. (2007). Becoming the Boss. Retrieved from Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2007/01/becoming-the-boss?registration=success&fbclid=IwAR0aOzYbFPWZ7aaLqYEnNJG_yXnZzl0h5ApRaZQkpIPagu_pcDa82p62E9g
● Lotich, P. (2022). How to Transition an Employee to Supervisor. Retrieved from The Thriving Small Business. https://thethrivingsmallbusiness.com/how-to-transition-an-employee-to-supervisor/?fbclid=IwAR14QPYGenTTIPT-di7AqgIP5x890hhpNGP10csY4WnMUfHcTVvu4h-64bE
● Petrone, P. (2017). To Go From Employee to Manager, You Need to Adopt These 5 Attitudes. Retrieved from Linkedin Learning Blog. https://www.linkedin.com/business/learning/blog/leadership-and-management/to-go-from-employee-to-manager-you-need-to-adopt-these-5-attitu?fbclid=IwAR2Hv5BOsP6z8rSpGOXwfApTPW-YIdftZ4sT2oR59BDWEm5x7cYyBJvuy6Q
● Ultimate Guide to Supervisory Training. (n.d.). Retrieved from ERC. https://yourerc.com/ultimate-guide-to-supervisory-training/?fbclid=IwAR3tkXK7vkcuDgRXRBoa0_H35Qd3i5qn8V68kgbuEhWEVDGy8HqAe-Bmg-0
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