The New Manager's Guide to Earning the Respect of Your Team
Kurt Schmidt
Agency Coach Maximizing Your ROI, Ex-Action Sports Pro, Author, and Podcaster
“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” – Peter Drucker
When you become a new manager, earning the respect of your team is one of your top priorities. Being a new manager in a new company can be difficult. Learning to manage your time, communicate with your team, and set goals would be best. But the most important thing you need to do is earn the respect of your team. Earning the trust of your team is not inherent or easy.
Just because you have the title does not mean you can expect people to recognize your role's value immediately. It takes time and hard work. But if you are willing to put in the effort, you can become a successful manager and lead your team to success. Initially, this may be a tough transition for you and your team. It will take effort to earn their trust. Here are some pointers to get you started:
One of the most important things you can do as a new manager is to listen to your team. Show them that you value their opinions and ideas. Create intentional feedback loops in your processes, so everyone has a chance to contribute. Let them know you appreciate their input and know their voice is heard; this will go a long way toward building credibility and trust. Your mission as their manager is to get the most outstanding results from your staff while encouraging them to advance in their profession.
Another way to earn the respect of your team is to be transparent. Be open about your goals and objectives and let them know what you expect from them. Let them know what you're working on, and give them regular updates on your progress. By demonstrating your faith in them and offering support when they need it, you will encourage them to do the same for you. This will foster a sense of trust and goodwill between you and your team.
“People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.” –?John C. Maxwell
Don't forget to set a good example for others. If you want your staff to respect you, you must demonstrate it. Treat them fairly and with the same regard that you show others. This will go a long way toward gaining their respect. Earning respect as a new manager takes time and effort. It's not something that you can demand from your staff. You must first show them that you're capable of leading them and genuinely care about their well-being. Be patient and let your actions speak for themselves. Over time, your team will come to see you as someone worthy of their respect.
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Being consistent in your behaviors and words is also crucial. Don't promise one thing, then go back on it. Develop a reputation as someone whom your team can trust, and your team will begin to respect you. Consistency also builds predictability, and your team will appreciate knowing what to expect from you. An inconsistent manager is the worst kind of boss. It causes people to feel as if they must walk on eggshells in order not to trouble you, distracting your staff and lowering their productivity. This will cause people to dislike you as a manager and question their position in the company. Many good people leave a job because their boss can't be consistent. Don't let this be you.
“Never expect than anyone remembers anything you said in the last meeting or conversation.Put it all in writing and make checklists your friend.” – Erika Hall
Finally, always be fair in your dealings with your team. If you treat them fairly, they will reciprocate that fairness. Nobody wants to work for a manager who is constantly playing favorites. Being is a concept that goes both ways. If you're making a decision impacting your team, be upfront and explain why it's happening. They'll appreciate the transparency, which can help them trust you more.
If you follow these tips, you will be well on your way to earning the respect of your team. Remember to be patient; it takes time to build trust and respect. Be yourself, and the rest will fall into place.
Do you have any other tips for new managers? Let me know in the comments below!
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Vice President, IT at CHS | Leadership Lessons | Tech Futurist | Speaker | Writer | Podcaster
2 年Great advice, Kurt. I have a few additional tips. #1. Technical prowess as an individual contributor can backfire at the management level. Be smart enough to support your team, but not so smart that they defer everything to you. Develop your leadership skills, and let your team members grow their technical skills as yours wane. #2. Muster confidence. New managers are the biggest victims of imposter syndrome. Hang in there. Serve your team. Serve your customers. The confidence will come. It'll just feel weird for a while. 90-180 days in, you'll feel your footing.
Quality Assurance Manager | Life Coach | Aspiring Bee-Keeper
2 年Someone once said to me, “people don’t leave bad jobs, they leave bad leadership” I’ve experienced some awful leaders and some absolutely amazing ones, and this rings absolutely true for me. When I’ve had a great manager, I would follow them to hell and back. When I have a bad manager or leadership, no amount of pay or “perks” makes it worth the mental anguish.
Founder, CEO, COO, Head of Delivery, Lead Developer at Little Fork
2 年More great advice from Kurt Schmidt !