A Strategic Approach for Ensuring the Success of Emerging Managers

The ever-changing world of work, coupled with the recent prevalence of remote and hybrid work models, has posed significant challenges for these new managers. The past years have taken a toll on the opportunities for managers to learn from their peers or from more senior leaders as the traditional in-person learning environment has been disrupted. 

The lack of physical presence has limited the organic exchange of ideas and experiences, making it more difficult for new managers to gain the insights and guidance that come from direct interactions and observations.

In this blog post, we'll explore a structured approach to help new managers become effective swiftly, focusing on the development of vital skills and competencies.

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Step 1: The Need for Rapid Managerial Development

Before diving into the approach, let's understand why rapid managerial development is crucial. According to a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 52% of new managers receive no formal training. This lack of preparation can lead to higher turnover rates, decreased employee engagement, and decreased overall productivity. Additionally:

60% of new managers fail within 24 months. - Source

57% of employees leave jobs due to their bosses. - Source

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Step 2: The Core Focus Areas

To expedite the development of new managers, we must focus on three core areas: Basic Management Skills, Team Leadership, and Thinking Strategically.

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Basic Management Skills: New managers should begin by mastering fundamental management skills, including communication, organization, and decision-making. These skills serve as the foundation upon which their leadership journey is built.

‍Team Leadership: Effective team leadership is paramount. New managers must learn to motivate, guide, and inspire their team members to achieve common goals. The success of their team hinges on the leader's ability to cultivate a collaborative and engaged environment.

‍Thinking Strategically: The ability to think strategically is what separates a manager from a leader. It's about navigating challenges, identifying opportunities, and driving the team toward a shared vision. Strategic thinking also includes resilience in the face of adversity and a relentless commitment to achieving results.

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Step 3: Essential Managerial Skills

Within each of these core areas, new managers need to acquire specific skills that are vital for their success:

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Coaching: The ability to help team members reach their full potential through guidance and support.

‍Providing Feedback: Giving constructive feedback to foster improvement and growth.

‍Prioritizing: Effectively managing tasks and priorities to ensure the most important work gets done first.

‍Time Management: Efficiently allocating time to tasks and projects.

‍Delegation: Learning to entrust tasks to team members and empowering them to take ownership.

‍Building Teams: Creating a collaborative and high-performing team that works cohesively.

‍Driving Vision & Purpose: Instilling a shared vision and purpose within the team to motivate and inspire.

‍Ensuring Accountability: Holding team members responsible for their tasks and commitments.

‍Thinking Strategically: Resilience in the face of challenges, driving results that align with organizational goals, fostering employee engagement, and developing team members.

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Step 4: The Approach: Group Training and Capstones

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Group training offers an effective environment for new managers to learn and share experiences. In such a setting, they can collaborate, discuss challenges, and enrich their learning. This approach is particularly beneficial when it comes to honing skills like coaching, providing feedback, and building teams.

Capstone projects serve as a bridge between theory and practice. They provide new managers with the opportunity to apply their learning to real-world scenarios, ensuring that they can confidently handle managerial challenges. These projects often require managers to think strategically, display resilience, drive results, foster employee engagement, and develop their team members - all key components of successful leadership.

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Step 5: Putting It All Together

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By focusing on these core areas, developing essential skills, and utilizing the approach of group training with capstones, organizations can empower their new managers to succeed swiftly. In doing so, they will foster a culture of leadership excellence that drives growth, enhances employee engagement, and ensures the longevity of the organization.

Rapid managerial development is not just a goal; it's a necessity. With the right strategy and approach, new managers can thrive and make a significant impact on their teams and the organization as a whole.

BetterManager partners with organizations to take their new managers to a new level by changing mindset and performance with a flexible toolkit of 360 assessments, leadership training, and 1:1 and group coaching. There isn’t a one size fits all for organizations and our team meets companies and managers where they are to deliver flexible learning plans that keep managers accountable and deliver results for the organization.

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