Starting a new job - Any tips?

viktory

I start a new job on Wednesday and will be responsible for managing a small team. It is the one bit of the job I am really nervous about as my experience in managing staff is limited. It is also a big jump in scale for me as I am going up two steps on the ladder. I am really pleased to have this opportunity and the person who interviewed me must feel I am capable as I was offered the job 4 hours after interview.

I think half the problem is that it took me months to settle into my current role and I was very unhappy for a long time. I am now fully integrated into the team and happy with the people, but hate the job and location. That is why I am moving on again - well that and the fact that the new job is a fabulous opportunity for me. I am also moving on to an area that I am a complete novice in (ie going from Housing to Education, Children's Services and Leisure but still in an admin. role)

Sorry, I am waffling now

Anyone got any tips to make my transition easier?

inaspin_3

Be nice, but not too nice as they need to know who's boss! I used to work in a small team and was then promoted to team leader, as I was good friends with a lot of them I found it hard to ask them to do things, and when I did, they didn't take much notice of me, lol. As soon as you've had a couple of days in your new role you'll be great at it, just don't be too scared to ask people to do things for you. Good luck!

Savvy_Sue

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ETA Good luck! Been there, done that, got the t-shirt! Scary ... Oh, I took some chocolate or cake in when I'd been there a week, or a month.

Listen to what people tell you about your team, but don't believe it all. Expect the best, and make sure they know this. Ask for training, before you KNOW you need it find out what's available! First time you do something (eg recruit for a new team member!) make sure someone from HR goes through how it works, and don't be afraid to ask for someone to sit in with you who's done it before!

therealdessie

Managing a team is a lot like parenting, so you'll be treading a fine line between being a friend and being the bad guy who makes them do all the things they don't like (such as work). Take a few days to get to know them and make it clear you're interested in them as people - ask lots of questions; you'll find that they assume your role as boss pretty quickly.

If they don't then you'll simply have to give yourself a little distance and gently coax them into the idea - mention the fact that you are team leader in a discrete way, for example making some of those lame old "that's why they pay me the big bucks" jokes.

Think about bosses you've had before: were they David Brents, Alan Sugars, Richard Bransons? Remember the things that worked well in motivating you and you'll find they probably work here.

Zazen999

Know your internal company policies and procedures off by heart.

Get to know your team and work out who is on side, who needs a bit of coaching and mentoring to be on side and who is against you [there's always one unless you are very very lucky].

Be serious and professional but also be a bit relaxed; it's a fine line and not difficult to get wrong.

Admit to yourself that you can't please all the people all the time; but at the end of the day you've got to get the work done, and you want to do it well. If team members aren't on message and aren't knuckling down then don't be afraid to tackle it.

Be brave about moving out of any comfort zone but take cakes in with you when you do. If it is difficult for you, it might be difficult for them and cake helps. Use a coaching and mentoring approach rather than a telling approach, and you;ll come out with good friends as well as good staff.

Never diss any of them to any other team or manager, and deal with stuff head on as soon as it rears its head.

And have fun!

nettty

Always be honest and make sure there is time for meetings. BUT - make sure they are short, to the point and address your staffs issues as well as your own. And always come back with answers to queries quickly.
If you need them to do something for you, make sure they know the whole picture -that they understand fully why you need them to do it.

And when you go out socially, always but the first drink !!! : ))

nettty

sorry - thats BUY the first drink!!

Jo_R_2

Congrats on the job viktory - I'm looking for a job but no luck so far, so well done to you!

First off, I'd say have confidence in your abilities - if they hired you then they obviously do!

And think about, as someone has said, what motivates you as an employee, in your managers. What do you respond to, what do you find positive and inspiring? What do you find authoritative and a respectful way of working alongside people you are in charge of?

Not saying I've got definitive answers LOL but might help!

Good luck!