The Challenges for New Managers

Ever since the industrial revolution, when the concept of management being separate from ownership really took hold, people have often been thrust into positions that they are not prepared for.

People are often promoted into managerial positions thanks to their success in lower-ranked roles. For example, a factory worker who excelled at operating their part of the production line may be given a managerial role based on their success. Unfortunately, the attributes that make someone successful in an operational role does make someone successful in management. 

This doesn’t mean that people shouldn’t make the step up or be allowed to prove themselves. Instead, it means that new managers need to be aware of the possible challenges that face them. Here are some of those challenges.

Working with a Mix of People

All successful organisations have a mix of people with varying skill sets, opinions and personalities. This requires managers to be adaptable in their approach to each type of person, as a one size fits all approach will lead to conflict. For example, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over as manager of Manchester United, he had to mould the team around the tactics he wanted to deploy on the pitch while learning how to get the most out of each of the 28+ players on the team.

Managing Politics

Organisations, particularly larger ones, can often be rife with politics,. Managers must be able to first recognise the political dynamics and then find ways to navigate these informal structures. This might be finding the right person to ask for a particular request, or using tact to make someone else think they had an idea when, in reality, you directed them to that thought. 

Communication

Communication is difficult in all areas of life. Arguments with friends and family often stem from poor communication and misunderstandings. Therefore, managers must understand the need to communicate effectively, anticipating how their message will be perceived and finding ways to ensure that subordinates feel able to discuss concerns and ask questions.

Delegating and Micromanaging

Before someone enters management, they will have spent most of their time fulfilling all of their duties themselves. They will have rarely had to ask others to help or complete a task for them, and therefore will have been in full control of the output they produced. Moving into management can be difficult for people who cannot let go of this mindset. 

Managers must be able to delegate tasks to their teams, trusting them to complete the tasks. When undertaking their managerial responsibilities, they should also ensure that they avoid micromanagement, dictating every minor detail and decision, instead of giving a degree of autonomy to their employees. Micromanagement can demotivate staff and lead to a mediocre team dynamic and a high attrition rate.

There are many challenges that managers face, particularly if they are new to the role. By understanding the challenges, they can overcome them more effectively.