Congratulations on your recent promotion! Even amidst a global pandemic and challenging social climate, you worked hard to reach a leadership position.
In your new role, you’ll be responsible for your team’s performance and job satisfaction to best represent your brand. That said, you’re never alone and shouldn’t feel like all the pressure is yours to bear.
With a few helpful strategies and ideas to keep in mind, you’ll naturally become a highly successful manager before you know it. Read on for eight tips to make being a new manager easier.
1. Create consistent structure
As a people manager, your primary goal is to make sure that your team is productive and happy. This means that they should be able to clock in and out, request time off, and manage sick days with ease.
Do you have a modern system to manage schedules? Is it intuitive for people who may not be comfortable with technology?
By creating a solid structure for employees to actually perform their job, you’ll save so much time on busywork to actually perform your own responsibilities well.
2. Communicate openly
Here’s a little secret — clear communication can solve a lot of managerial problems.
Make sure that employees are always aware of what's happening. Is there a monthly all-hands meeting to discuss team performance and capture feedback? If there are changes to the menu or new operating procedures to try, will your team be notified by text or email?
Your employees will feel confident in their jobs if they’re respectfully kept in the loop of your business and if they know that they can provide upward feedback.
3. Be prepared
Prepare for the unexpected. Staff get sick, cars break down, and coffee lids run out. Use tools that help you handle last-minute surprises. For example, a smart workforce management app can let staff swap shifts with each other when they can't make their regular shift. And you can even use the app to attach notes to the shift to remind your team to restock supplies when they run low.
4. Provide feedback
Let your employees know how they’re doing. Provide both positive and constructive feedback in real-time so that employees can feel valued and seen. If a customer gives someone a compliment, share the message and give clear feedback about what your employee did well.
And while giving positive feedback sounds easy, providing more critical feedback can be a challenge for new managers. Remember to provide specific examples so your employee knows how to improve. With a solid performance tracking system in place, you can document your employee’s success and areas of improvement.
5. Make room for growth
According to a survey of more than 1,400 shift workers, 91% of respondents said that a career path is important to them. Do your employees have a clear path forward?
Like you, they’re motivated by the prospect of a higher salary, career development, and taking on more responsibilities. Make sure your employees are fully aware of their standing and goals to reach the next level. For example, what skills does your retail associate need to become a floor manager?
Not everyone is looking to advance in your business, but you still can help them gain the experience they need for their next position. Failure is a part of growth too. Turn mistakes into teachable moments that your employees can grow from.
6. Take one for the team
“Can I please speak to the manager?”
You’ll inevitably be asked to deal with a highly frustrated customer. At this point, you’re the manager because you’ve handled similar situations so well in the past. Listen to the customer, your employee, and hear all sides of the story.
You can better prepare your team through training and building trust. Your team will only benefit from your example as a patient and fair leader.
7. Be vulnerable
Coworkers build connections and bonds that are completely unique. They conquer challenges together and spend hours each week dealing with customers or clients.
And while you’re the manager, you’re still human. You have good days and bad days. Some days you’re busy and some days you have a little more time on your hands. Treat your team with respect and be transparent about what’s on your plate.
8. Practice positivity
Your daily outlook will affect your employees and customers, and staying optimistic will help you and your team survive harder days. Remember that you’re still new in your role and might make mistakes. But share your learnings with your team and how you see them as opportunities for the future.
You can still be vulnerable and express concern when things get tough (like when a global pandemic hits). But your authentic positivity can help build team morale and create a better team culture.
Schedule staff like a pro
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