by Grace Kusta-Nasralla

Created on: June 03, 2009   Last Updated: June 13, 2009

Avoiding The Pitfalls As a New Manager

Are you still in search for a Managerial job or did you find one? If so, are you excited about your new management role? Do you have great plans to change things in the new workplace. Following are few suggestions for things the new manager should avoid doing during their probation period.

1. Avoid rushing into bringing in past experience.

Employees in management positions come with the mentality that the old is not working and they need to come up with a plan to change things to make work more efficient. Slow down!

i) Spend the first 3 months studying the former manager's approach. There may be something for you to learn from.

ii) Observe how things work and study the work processes before stepping up to bring in your past experience and impose it on staff. The environment may not be ready for that yet.

2. Gain the trust of the team you will be working with.

i) Do not dash into the decision of making staff changes during the first 3 month. Try to gain the trust of your team of employees and once they trust you they will buy in to any changes you decide to implement later on.

ii) Start by observing employee patterns. Meet with your team. Get to know them better. Use your probation period as time to investigate and observe and take notes. Once you gain the support of your team; then you can fly with them!

3. Change is difficult to accept, do not haste into it.

i) In normal circumstances it is very difficult for staff to be accepting to change. Introduce change slowly. Remember that change is the unknown for them.

ii) Introduce change gradually. Do not reveal the complete plan for change all at the same time. Communicate your plan one phase at a time. Get their buy in for each phase and then move on to the next. Once you get the support for one phase do not put off! Take action and start implementing one phase at a time.

4. Avoid taking staff comments and responses personally.

i) Remember that having you around is a major change for staff. They need to feel comfortable around you and realize that you are not a threat to them or to their work.

ii) Because of the change in management they staff may become possessive and in a position to protect their work. Be perceptive and make them feel that they can trust you. Convince them that your presence is a positive change by making the effort to get to know them and their place within the work process.

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