Succeeding as a first time leader doesn’t simply require an MBA degree and a few years of experience. There’s a lot more to organizing, managing, and leading workers to reach their full potential so the organization can move forward. In addition, many first time leaders are confused about how to communicate with their employees.
Here a few tips to help ease that tension and make the transition to a leadership role as smooth as it can be.
1. There is no endpoint, be prepared to keep learning
Being a leader is something you learn and keep learning throughout your life. There is no secret formula or a book that will get you there. You learn by doing, and you continue to better your leadership skills for years on end.
Even for experienced leaders, with years in the position, there is a constant need for learning. They can change the job, have different employees over time, the environment can shift, and there will be a need to adapt to the changes so they can be the best possible leader.
A leader who is focused on always improving will also motivate the team to do so as well. Such leaders are prone to innovation and that creates core values within the company that will keep the employees going and improving.
2. Kindness is your secret weapon
Oftentimes, when it comes to leadership and management, empathy and kindness are underrated qualities and passed over. However, being seen as a person and feeling heard is something many people appreciate, especially if it comes from their leader.
Caring about people deeply, taking the time to listen to them, and making an effort to understand them without worrying too much about being an authority figure can go a long way.
A first time leader who takes pride in building people up instead of tearing them down, is set up for success. They will not only be respected, but have a team who genuinely cares about them as a person, too.
3. Work for your employees
Leadership doesn’t and won’t be similar to a graduation. First-time leaders shouldn’t take it as such, as it’s more similar to a level-up. A good leader will focus on improving their workers’ jobs and creating a better environment for them to do their job comfortably.
This means listening to the employees wants and needs, which will in turn improve productivity and create a positive work space. Knowing what drives certain people, be that money, status, or more time, will help make the management process much smoother.
4. Have one-on-one’s
One-on-one’s are a great way to develop a relationship with employees and gain their trust. Having regular meetings eliminates the possibility of an employee being too intimidated to come forward regarding an issue they might be having.
Having these regular meetings can even be more beneficial than constant feedback. Such meetings create room for good, light-hearted, and open communication which can help leaders see employed with neither side trying too hard.
A study found that regular feedback (be that positive or negative) can have a negative effect on workers’ performances, since it threatens the way someone sees themselves. So, maybe save the comments for later and have a one-on-one with the members of your team for starters.
5. Nurture a growth mindset
Having a team that is constantly improving and looking for the next best thing for the company is not an easy job, especially for first-time leaders. However, it’s not something that cannot be done, exceptionally when it’s the leader’s mindset, instead of merely a strategy.
If you’re a first time leader, try to set a clear growth path for your workers and explain why it’s beneficial to them to follow it. This will lessen the possibility of miscommunication and misinterpretation between both parties and help the organization move further.
6. Listen to your employees
Listening to your employees is a simple (yet complicated) and often overlooked factor when it comes to management. However, it’s crucial to a well-organized workplace.
Imagine if everyone went around not knowing what they should be doing, that’s exactly what a manager not understanding their workers is like. Listening to your worker will help you understand how to organize the work so everyone is succeeding and doing their best in their role.
We all appreciate having our voices heard and feeling listened to, and it’s no different when it comes to managers. So, engage with your employees and help them share their ideas comfortably and you will have a positive and forward-moving team.
7. Be encouraging
We’ve mentioned before that in a study feedback had a negative impact on workers’ performance. However, that, in no way means that you shouldn’t be encouraging towards your workers and inspire them to keep up their work.
Encourage your team to give ideas, find innovative solutions, think outside of the box, and teach them to not be afraid to come forward with their opinions. Make your employees feel comfortable and part of the bigger picture you’re trying to achieve.
8. Build trust
Often, first time managers will turn to instilling fear in their employees so they can feel authoritative. That comes from being scared of the position itself, another employee working their way, etc.
Nevertheless, that’s not the way to go about it, since reciprocal trust is one of the most valuable assets a leader can have. Trust helps operations run smoothly and creates a general feeling of gratitude and positivity in the office.
Of course, in this case, it’s wise to have a back-up plan if the other side decides to cheat the trust and things go sideways.
There are many aspects that make a great leader—from being eager and ready to improve constantly, being encouraging, nurturing positive growth ideas, to simply listening to their employees. Some of these qualities can take time and experience to develop, but in the end will make the whole office thrive. Good luck!
Arta Mekuli is a writing enthusiast and is eager to write about topics that tackle educational and life issues. As a former student herself, she spends most of her time writing about student experiences and personal development. She hopes that through her writing, she’ll be able to help students with their studies and other matters on their minds. Currently, she’s writing for the blog of Bay Atlantic University.