Transitioning to Management - Making the Mindset Shift

[Ryan Heatherson]

Hi There,
Pick up any of the many textbooks out there on the subject of management and you will find plenty of advice about how to do certain things, how to develop the rights behaviours and get the best from others.

In my experience, less is written about the importance of making the mindset shift when transitioning to management. So why does this matter anyway?

You probably got promoted because you were great at doing

Look at the way most organizations decide who gets promoted. In most cases they look for people who are doing a great job at a lower level and consistently delivering. While this tells you a lot about the individuals personal drive and ability to get things done by themselves it tells you nothing about their ability to get results from others. A key part of your successful transition is being able to start to get to work on getting results from others.

You might hold on to what you know

The great thing about those things we know how to do and are good at doing is that they help us build our self esteem and self confidence. The danger you need to be alert to is holding on to things that you really should be letting go of and delegating to others.

You have new expectations

As a manager your performance is measured differently to when you were one of the team. Being clear on what you are expected to deliver is an important part of your success and so is being able to change how you work so that you deliver on these new expectations. Where do you need to be focusing your attention?

You probably have a huge portfolio of work

If you are like most folks, you will have to manage and still deliver on significant pieces of work personally. If you don't make the mindset shift that time needs to be set aside for managing it will probably never happen. If the managing piece does not happen how your bosses assess your performance is likely to be less favorable than if you were actually making time for managing.

Bottom Line- Successful transitioning to management requires you to shift mindset. So what mindset shifts do you need to make to achieve more success?

Best Regards.....

[e-roc]

There is definitely a transition! Most managers that i know come across as micromanagers. The last book i read was "The Hands Off Manager". I really dug this read. And after implementing the relaxed approach it advises, i have seen a positive change in the level of morale and creativity shown by my team. But my team is also a group of individuals that are working to build and be a part of something great, and not just trying to collect a paycheck.

I dont imagine there are multiple ways to flip fries, so the thought of really taking your hands off of the employees at a fast food joint in an effort to spawn their creativity doesnt seem practical to me. But McD's does have a renowned management training program. It would probably be beneficial to understand the approach they take in management training.