Tips to Working With a FirstTime Manager (Who's Struggling)

Tips to Working With a FirstTime Manager (Who's Struggling)

I have a puzzle for you. Are you ready?

No matter where you work or what you do, working with other people will always be a challenging part of the job and the most difficult.

I’m certain you can relate—how many moments have you had to deal with a co-worker who was complicated, inaccurate, or overly involved?

But what’s even extra challenging than learning how to work with others of such criteria is learning how to manage up.

Numerous first-time bosses are trying to counterbalance for their lack of experience and avoid looking vulnerable, which generates them to seldom come across as egotistical, power-driven, micromanaging, or unproductive.

But trust me when I tell you there is distress on the other side of the desk, even if your new manager appears unfazed. They continually question if they’re doing it legitimately if they’re esteemed or respected if they’re trusted, and if they can trust you. All of these questions run by your new manager or new assigned boss on daily bases, self-conscious is natural in such position.

The upside of your role as their first honest report is that you’re in the position to carefully contemplate and meet their needs, which helps their stress of being accountable for you in the first place. And removing that stress makes it more likely that they can focus on what you need them to do (you know, leading your team, setting goals,  being a good leader and all the other stuff good bosses do).

Of course, in the direction to do this, you need to know what’s currently making their job difficult.

I know, hearing this may have you thinking, “but why do i have to do all the hard work?” And I get it, it sucks to have to be the resourceful one when your boss isn’t.

But like I said, your manager’s most likely acting like this because they don’t have a good grasp on their responsibilities. By offering to take work off their shoulder, you not only put them in a better mood but get rid of any of bottlenecking you might be handling. And of course, this will only make it easier for you to work more efficiently,  and productively. of course that will also make you look unstandibly good to anyone who is working around you or with you. you will be recognized positively

Doing this begins with asking your boss the right questions in your next one-on-one (or, setting up regular checkups  to open with):

  • What can I do to make your job easier?
  • How can I keep you informed in a way that doesn’t require more of your time?
  • What can I easily take off your plate?
  • What can I do for you that I’m not already doing?
  • What questions should I ask that I haven’t already asked?

These might seem a bit too simple or nebulous, but the purpose is to ask them in a way that extracts usable information so that you might then plan your priorities in a way that lightens some of the weight.

 

When first-time managers are flailing, doing some of the work for them makes everyone’s life easier—especially yours.

And, just think: being empathetic, proactive, and collaborative might even get you promoted to a—wait for it— the first-time manager yourself. Giving a hand to make another’s job easier might be your best idea to practice on future promotions and positions you may also land.

at the same time observe and see what to do and what not to do. practice does make perfect so think of this as setting a good image, and an example. and being handed an oppurtinity to test out your skills as well.

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