When we start as new managers, we think we have what it takes. I mean they picked YOU for the position, right?
But inexperience creates blindspots to problems you don’t even know how to see yet – and what’s worse, your inexperience can compound those problems without you even knowing.
Because you don’t know what you don’t know.
If you’re in this position, here’s a list to help you:
- If you’re still using the metrics and outcomes you used as a front-line producer as the metrics and outcomes for your management position, you are probably creating a performance blindspot for yourself.
- If your style is a conscious departure from the style of the previous manager, you are probably creating social blindspots in your team.
- If you are frustrated that your team or specific employees “just don’t get it” because they have done something that was not up to your standards, you are probably creating an expectations & accountability blindspot for yourself.
- If disagreements escalate into drama and drama escalates into a tense workspace on a consistent basis, you are probably creating an us-against-them blindspot on your team.
- If you have direct reports who dodge you, who suddenly won’t look you in the eye and come to you repeatedly about another employee’s behavior – and you dismiss those cues – you are probably creating a “do the hard thing” blindspot for yourself.
Not addressing these key issues will hamper your effectiveness.
But you can’t address them until you see them.
Learn how to turn seeing into action at an upcoming intensive training for New Managers.
[…] Since the problems of front line producers and managers are different because the level of impact is different, we first have to learn how to see a different type of problem. […]