After six years of college(lots of major changes) and working part-time for the same corporation for 5 years I have finally gotten a real job. I have been promoted to a full-time managerial position with that same company. I’ve worked for years for this and I’ve finally made it, hopefully I can actually do it!
Any advice from those of you in management positions(I manage distribution warehouse with only a handful of people for a large, statewide corporation if that helps)? I was promoted from amongst my peers, most of who are older than me and have more experience but less education, so any advice in overcoming difficulties that come from such a situation would be appreciated.
Congratulations! And don’t let it get to your head. The worst thing you can do is to come off with a “now that I’m the manager, I’m going to change everything and get things done right”.
If you’ve got older, experienced workers, you need to respect that. Don’t walk in and start changing everything. They will hate you for it. Meet with them individually. Listen to their suggestions - doesn’t mean you have to use each one, but at least listen genuinely and take their suggestions into account. If there are things you think do need changing, talk to them about it. See what they think. COMMUNICATE. Lead by example. And don’t ask them to do something that you wouldn’t do. If there’s someone who has more expertise in a particular area than you do, recognize that and give them responsibility in that area. Get to know their individual strengths if you don’t already, and utilize their skills effectively. People want to do what they like to do and are good at doing. While that’s not always possible, you will have a much happier team if they are able to do what they do well. You don’t have to be the “pal” all the time, but don’t lord your new position over anyone either. Be a team player and it will help you create a team.