13 Tips on How to Become a Manager
How to Become a Manager
Have you been desperate for promotion for some time and it’s just not happening? Are you ready to start preparing for that next step in your career, but not sure where to start? Then check out some of our tips here.
It is a common issue for many people, especially those who are specialists in their fields – they are constantly overlooked for promotions and never seem to be able to take that step up into the role of a Manager.
The first thing to consider here is that even if you think you are more than qualified to take on this role, perhaps your managers have a different view of your capabilities. This means you will have to take the time and put in the effort to be able to demonstrate your managerial ability. But i
t won’t happen overnight so get ready to knuckle down!
Here are our top tips:
1. Do your own job well. Becoming a manager doesn’t mean that you stop being an expert in your field nor that you stop leading and working on projects. So step number one is obviously to shine at what you do currently;
2. Be a Team Player. Be engaged, show that you want to be there and you’re there for the long haul. Get involved in team activities and volunteer for things. Now is not the time to be lurking in the shadows if you want to be noticed. Frankly, if you are not interested in being a team player, you probably shouldn’t be looking to take on a managerial role in this company. If your managerial team were to suspect that you are only interested in the title and/or the money and are not fully invested in the success of the business it will certainly reduce your chances.
3. Don’t get Involved in Office Politics and Gossip. Don’t be found hanging around with the wrong people nor in the office kitchen several times a day chatting. Keep your head down and ensure that your name won’t be mentioned in any negative contexts.
4. Shadow your Manager. If you want to do his /her job in the future you need to have a better understanding of what they actually do; you might think you know but there is usually much more to it than you might expect. Discuss your motives with your manager, getting them on board and understanding what you want to achieve is half the battle. Ask what you can do to take something off his /her desk. Ask what you can observe during the week and help out with.
5. Get a Mentor. Preferably a manager in a different area of your business. This will help you to understand the entire business better as well as the essence of a managerial role without focusing purely on your own department. It will also help to get you noticed more widely and start to network around the business which is of utmost importance if you are to sit shoulder to shoulder with these people in the future.
6. Be a Mentor. One of the best ways to grow, in yourself and in your role is to Mentor somebody else into their next role. Preparing others in your own team to be able to do your role is called Succession Planning and will make your transition upwards even easier for your management team. Lots of people are too scared to train people under them in case they steal their job, or they realise that this person is better at it! This demonstrates insecurity and lack of foresight, and you won’t be considered for a move if there is nobody to take your place.
7. Cross Train. As a manager in any department you also need to understand how the rest of the business works and how your role fits into his dynamic. Remember that as a manager you have many more relationships to consider than just those of your own team. How much do you know about the Central Services Departments (HR, Procurement, Finance)? How do the other Operational Business Departments work? Taking a wider interest in the business will also have the positive advantage of getting you noticed on a higher level.
8. Learn about Finance. Any manager needs to be financially competent because part of your job will always be about money. I would suggest you do an Introduction to Finance course (Financial & Management Accounting, Corporate Financial Management – How to balance your Profit & Loss, How to write a Budget, How to Check your Payroll Statement). If you can’t afford to take an external course just now, ask if you can do some coaching with some experts in your company.
9. Save Money & Make Money. On the finance note, don’t just learn…do! Start to demonstrate your financial acumen by suggesting ways to save money and gain profit.
10. Understand Human Resources & Labour Law. As a manager you obviously have to manage a team. Do you understand your obligations to your team from an HR perspective? i.e. Legally, do you know what you can and can’t do? Doing a Labour Law course will really open your eyes.
11. Document your Success. Sometimes you have to be the one who blows your own trumpet so keep a portfolio: Thank you emails, feedback from your mentor, recommendations from around the business, awards, courses you have completed, money you have saved. Use this portfolio at your next Managerial 1-2-1 or Performance Review as a way of documenting your performance successes.
12. Plan your Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Nobody can invest in your professional development like you – so why wait for somebody else to do it for you? We have mentioned Finance & HR courses, but if you want to get your CV up to scratch what other managerial level courses do you need?
· ILM Leadership & Management
· Coaching & Mentoring
· Project Management
· Lean Six Sigma
· Microsoft Office
· Negotiation Skills
· Presentation & Communication Skills
· There are lots of similar courses which will look amazing on your CV and also show you to be a ‘Managerial’ level candidate, rather than just a specialist in your field.
13. Lastly, Be a Leader! You don’t need to be a manager to be a leader. Use your emotional intelligence to demonstrate your leadership skills and if you naturally have a ‘following’ and are able to ‘positively influence’ within your team, becoming a manager will be the next logical step for you. Think about the following:
· “Do you shape your own life and career?
· Do you affect the quality of other people’s experiences?
· Do you inspire or influence others?
· Do you work to achieve specific goals by working with or coordinating the efforts of others?
If you answered yes to any of the above then you are a leader.” (You Don’t Need a Title to be a Leader: Mark Sanborn: Random House 2006)
Have you found this useful?
Which tips did you find most insightful? Would you be interested in undertaking a ‘Becoming A Manager’ course? If so I would very much like to hear from you – I’m looking for viable candidates to undertake a pilot course in Leadership & Management for non-managers. Get in touch if you would like more information.