Submitted by maestro on
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I was recently promoted into a middle management role where I will now be managing 130-140 employees, including 10-13 managers. The main difference for me in this role, is that I will be managing managers, rather than directly managing production employees.
1. Any suggestions on books about managing managers?
2. Any other advice for me in my new role?
Any thoughts or suggestions you have would certainly be welcome.
- Maestro
Have just made the switch there myself
Maestro,
I am also new at one step above my previous job. I have 2 supervisors under me that moved up from their positions as well. The most difficult thing for me has been holding them back to move slowly. Knowing the job so well themselves it is a struggle for us all to hold, hold, hold, as the "new in the job" podcast recommends. I do think that it has been extremely valuable to get them started on their one on ones with their team, who all are former coworkers. There is no rushing this process of transitioning into a manager role. It always seems much easier than it ends up being.
I guess that my best advice for you would be to take the time to establish your relationship with your new directs and roll out the management trinity with them. Disengage yourself from the role you previously held. It was difficult for me not to drift into my old role managing the people that are now my skips. You are in a new role entirely and that was (and is) the mental struggle with my move up. It's going well, but it is still a stressful change.
Good luck!
Thanks for the feedback
Thanks for the feedback 430Jan! I can see where it will be a challenge to step away from my prior role-- especially since I am now managing people that are currently in that role. I was well thought of as a front-line manager, and I know what it takes to be successful in that role. One of my challenges has always been understanding that not everyone holds themselves to high expectations as I do. I will be continuing to work on this in my new role.
Maestro -