5 Most Difficult Challenges for New Managers
The Most Difficult Challenges for New Managers Can Be Overcome
Are you a new manager who is overwhelmed by the weight of the responsibilities ahead? You may need some targeted new manager training to exercise the muscles and build the skills you will need to carry your load with confidence and with success. Meantime, a quick look at some of the challenges in store can assure you that these are problems that everyone new to management faces and can eventually overcome.
Top 5 Challenges for New Managers
Based upon people manager assessment center data, we know that new managers face a common set challenges that must be overcome if they to effectively lead, manage, and coach their teams. Do any of the following challnges for new managers ring true four you?
- The difficulty of shifting from co-worker to superior
How can you maintain positive relationships with former teammates when you are now in charge? As their manager you must delegate their tasks and manage their performance. This will take superior communication skills and an attitude of helping rather than dictating as you work together to establish goals and expectations. - Learning to delegate and not micromanage
As an individual contributor, you were used to taking on responsibilities and handling tasks on your own. As a manager, you need to rely on your team to get the job done. There is a fine line between supporting your team and over-supervising them. You will need to learn how each team member works most productively and shift your supervision of their activities accordingly. - Resolving conflict
No team is without some disagreement and grumbling. The best managers know how to handle conflict before it infects the rest of the team. They have learned to deal with disagreements in a straightforward, objective, and open manner by listening to both sides and negotiating an acceptable path forward. - Inspiring and motivating the best in others
No longer working toward your own individual goals, you have team members who look to you to set team goals and accountabilities. It is up to you to create a clear vision and line of sight for each of your employees to contribute their best work. Each one will need to feel valued as an integral part of the team and understand clearly how their contribution matters. - Maintaining work/life balance
Your promotion to management was hard won and well deserved. Now your challenge is to keep working hard with a clear focus on your goals clear but not to the detriment of your health and personal life. There will be times you need to dig in. But remember to celebrate the wins at work and to have some fun with your team. “Work” should have elements of “play” as well.
To learn more about difficult challenges for new managers, download 5 Management Misperceptions that Slip Up Too Many New Managers