4 Major Challenges New Managers Must Overcome to Succeed
Have You Identified The Major Challenges New Managers Must Overcome to Succeed?
While most new managers face similar obstacles, every company presents their own flavor of major challenges new managers must overcome to be successful in their unique culture and situation. As a new manager, it can feel as though you are one against many.
- But turn yourself around
- Don’t be the pawn facing an army of corporate opponents
- See yourself instead as the new leader of the team
4 Major Challenges New Managers Must Overcome to Succeed
To marshal the right forces so they work with, and not against, you, there are four major challenges new managers must overcome to succeed :
1. Incomplete, Inconsistent Or Unclear Communication
Of all the major challenges new managers must overcome, you cannot expect your employees to deliver against your performance and cultural expectations if you do not communicate expectations clearly, consistently and completely. When employees don’t understand what you expect of them:
- Their performance suffers
- Their engagement levels decline
- They are likely to focus on the wrong or redundant tasks
- They may head off in the wrong direction.
Be crystal clear in how you describe work standards and job roles. This is the way to minimize conflict, avoid worker dissatisfaction and complete projects on time.
2. Faulty Decision Making
The best managers are decisive. Overall, effective decision makers:
- Gather data and seek to uncover root causes
- Operate by facts, not gut-feel or innuendo
- Are able to analyze pros and cons objectively
- Balance desired outcomes and relationships
- Understand the implications of delayed decisions and inaction
- Choose a path that makes sense given the strategic and cultural context
- Make smart adjustments along the way
3. Fuzzy Priorities
Strategic clarity accounts for 31% of the difference between high and low performing teams. Each and every employee should understand company, team and individuals:
- Goals
- Roles and responsibilities
- Success metrics
- Interdependencies
- Potential barriers to success
New manager training programs do not often emphasize clarity and prioritization enough. Yes, you need to specify tasks clearly. But what matters most is that workers understand how their tasks align with the overall strategy of the organization.
4. Ineffective Performance Management
New managers are, above all else, rated on the performance of their team. When the team performs, the manager’s halo shines. It is the manager’s job to meet with each team member to define both performance success and failure in a way that is:
- Clear
- Agreed-upon
- Meaningful
- Measurable
- Challenging but attainable
When employees understand and commit to their own performance goals, they are accountable and strive to do their best to reach them.
The Bottom Line
Becoming a new manager is challenging but not impossible for those who are willing to change their perspective from leader-of-one to leader-of-many.
To learn more about creating high performing new managers, download The 4 Management Metrics that Matter Most
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