Too often we promote individual contributors into roles where we then want them to manage people, without providing them what they need to be successful. Simply because someone is good at doing the tasks associated with their role, doesn’t mean they will be good leading people. Leading people require different skillsets. To enable new managers to be successful in their new roles – enable them to develop those skillsets!

Obtaining those necessary skills and competencies can be done through training, providing the new manager a mentor, using a manager community portal, and on-the-job training. Let’s briefly look at each of these areas of helping new managers to develop the skills necessary to be successful leading others.

Training

There are a number of key skills in which new managers should be trained. These include, not in any particular order:

• Time management and delegation
• Leading with emotional intelligence
• Setting goals
• Managing performance and providing feedback
• Communicating up, down and across the organization
• Presenting information and data
• Facilitating one-on-one and team meetings
• Team leadership
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Resolving conflicts
• Leading and driving change

And, of course, human resource-specific information that will ultimately ensure employees are treated equitably, and that policies, procedures, and regulations are adhered to.

Manager Community Portal

An internal portal for managers serves as a community for them – A way to share best practices and collaborate with their peers to solve problems, and overcome the challenges they face in their roles. An internal portal provides a way for new managers to interact with experienced managers, and learn from them.

This portal is also a great way to enable human resource business partners to interact with managers in a global organization and share information, help address employee-related issues, and provide other support as new managers grow in their roles.

On-the-Job Learning with a Mentor

On-the-job learning is best supported by providing a mentor to the new manager. A mentor serves as a guide for the new manager, as the new manager finds their path in leading others.

A mentor is the “go-to” person for the new manager – Someone who can assist in solving problems, provide support as the new manager develops their skills, and be an overall sounding board.

The more support you can provide new managers in their roles, the more likely they are to be successful. Successful managers enable employees to be successful, and that leads to a productive team that can contribute positively to the bottom line.

Contact Stelic to learn how we can help you ensure that your new managers are skilled and ready to lead.