From One Millennial Manager to Another

Before transitioning from an individual contributor to managing a team, I had no idea how challenging this responsibility would be.

If you're a new manager, and especially if you are a millennial, keep reading. I'd love to see if you can relate to my stories. The full article is posted here.

Four years ago, I became a manager for the first time. I remember recruiting for my first team in 2014. I was just as nervous as the candidates I interviewed. Was I asking the right questions? What if I hired the wrong person? I worried about retention as I onboarded and trained my team during their first few weeks.

It's okay. It happens! Sure, you could hire someone who ends up not being the best match for the job. That's okay! It can be challenging for both parties, and it is more common than you might think. It's all part of being a manager, and it certainly is a learning process for all involved.

If you are like many millennial managers, you want to be an incredible leader whom people want to follow.

You want to inspire your team to accomplish things they didn’t think they could do! Before becoming a manager, you may have pushed yourself to excel all your life – and your new role is no different. You still have high expectations.

The good news is: you’ve got a choice in how great of a leader you will be. Take stock of your strengths and weaknesses. Approach management like you’ve approached other challenges in life – grab this bull by its horns!

First, consider your favorite managers.

How did they push you to succeed? What parts of their management style do you want to adopt, and which parts do you want to avoid like the plague? Think back to managers you respected. How did they treat you? Did they take the time to get to know you? How often did you communicate? Did they take credit for your work, or were they quick to give you props and recognize you in front of your peers?

Taking time for this upfront work to connect with your management ideals is a valuable starting point for a first-time manager.

During my first few months as a manager, I remember going to Barnes & Noble and browsing the “management” row. I scanned through books, contemplating what type of manager I was going to be. Wondering who I would model my style after, I left the store with a nervous knot in my stomach.

I was looking out, not looking in.

Had I started with reflection about my values, my personality and my strengths and weaknesses, I would have saved time and energy. I am a stronger leader today because I am true to myself and own my traits – good, bad and ugly.

The transition from individual contributor to manager has pushed me to learn new skills quickly. The traits that I share with many people around my age – including a love for collaboration, desire to empower others and hunger for breaking through limits – shape the type of leader I am becoming. Managing a team has its fair share of challenges, but the constant challenge to improve my leadership skills is satisfying.

Being an inspiring leader is a choice, and you have what it takes.

Thanks for reading! What tips do you have?

To read the full article, click here.