How to move from Team member to Team Manager
Its a difficult situation especially if you're asked to manage the team you were part of.
Most people are promoted into a position of management due to their technical expertise. However, managing requires a very different set of skills.
As the team manager you have to remember that your emphasis has changed from being the expert 'doer' to leading the team to ensure they can deliver the results.
In todays teams this can be difficult as there may also be a requirement for you to still do some of the production, and not solely be a manager of people.
So how do you make the transition?
Well there are some key actions that you can take to ensure a successful move.
1. Understand yourself
If you are going to lead a team effectively, you need to have a high level of self awareness. Being self aware is not about identifying all of your faults but about understanding your motivators, your impact, your skills and your development areas. When you are armed with these insights you are then able to engage your team more effectively.
2. Understand your team
Knowing the skills, motivations, personalities and strengths of each of your team will help you plan how to engage with them, getting the most from them as individuals and as a team.
3. Know your goal
Its surprising how many teams lose track of what it is they're to do. Make sure there is a clear vision, with everyone knowing their role in achieving it. That includes you. Make sure the team understand your role, and what you expect from them. Setting SMART objectives and outlining standards is crucial for effective performance management.
4. Develop your Managerial skills
The core skills all managers need to be competent in include Communication, Time management, Prioritisation & Planning, Delegation, Decision making, coaching and influencing. If these are not strong then look to get some personal development to ensure you can apply them comfortably.
5. Communicate clearly
Communication is king. Communicate the new lines of operation. Its important that you establish yourself as the professional manager....and set out what are the parameters of the relationship. Certain behaviour may no longer be appropriate! This is often the most difficult part of the transition as you try to get the balance between credible manager and maintaining strong relationships. Communicate your intentions...Communicate to set expectations...Communicate praise...and Communicate to inspire and motivate. Remember that good communication is a two way process...so get plenty of feedback!
If you look to apply these five steps then you'll be on the way to making a clear transition.
Tags: Introduction to supervision, team leader, new manager, team member to manager
