You’ll find managers in almost every department of every organization. They are usually seasoned experts in their fields and masters of their day-to-day roles. But do they know how to be effective managers?
The stark truth is that many don’t. They’ve gotten to where they are thanks to their specialty skill sets, knowledge and experience, but they might be lacking the basic skills to simply be a good manager. Ineffective managers don’t know how to lead their teams or foster collaboration and resiliency–because they haven’t been trained to do so.
It’s easy to forget that being a good manager requires an entirely distinct set of skills. This is even more pertinent for first-time managers, who need special guidance in order to build strong foundations, establish best practices, and aspire to becoming future leaders.
Becoming a manager may not necessarily be the ambition of your employees.
Only 46% of first-time managers have applied to become managers.
Many first-time managers are thrust into their roles without adequate support.
More than 89% of first-time managers say they were not properly prepared to become a manager.
Managers often play a crucial role in employee engagement and can also be a factor in employee turnover.
Yet 82% of employees consider leaving their job because of their manager.
What makes first-time managers so critical to business success?
They are “boots on the ground”
First-time managers are often placed in front-line management positions, where they deal with operational challenges. From their position they can see what’s working and what isn’t, even if they can’t pinpoint the cause.
They act as intermediaries
New managers help you put the corporate strategy into action. They are expected to clearly communicate business objectives to their teams and come up with a plan to meet them. They must also keep colleagues motivated and solve any interpersonal issues between team members to maintain productivity.
The benefits of successful first-time manager training
For your business:
- New manager training encourages high performance with an eye on career progression. Upskilling throughout the career journey is the key to developing your people.
- Reduce turnover and enhance your employer brand. Providing opportunities for professional development is the best way to attract top talent and improve retention.
- Identify and develop the potential of your key talent. Seek out your future leaders, pair them with mentors, put them on specific career tracks, and give them opportunities for advancement.
- Get critical support to fully implement your L&D strategy. Show the value of your initiatives, prove outcomes, get buy-in, and increase the visibility of your team within the organization.
For your new managers:
- They’ll have the skills they need when they need them. Having the right skill set to excel in their roles can boost confidence and motivate them to further their professional development.
- They’ll get a clear understanding of what’s expected in their role as managers. This way they can hit the ground running, armed with the skills and behaviors they need to be successful.
- It’s a guide for building trust and legitimacy in the early stages of their careers. They can build their professional reputation, demonstrate their capabilities, and position themselves as future leaders.
- It provides a sense of belonging, with opportunities for networking and mentorship. They can build relationships, learn from mentors, make peer-to-peer connections, and become part of the culture.
- It gives them future-proof soft skills like resiliency, adaptability, and collaboration. In turn they can propel growth and innovation within their teams to meet objectives and drive business outcomes.
There is clear value in training your first-time managers
Most people are not born to be managers. It takes the right skills and behaviors to ensure they are successful and will make an impact in your company. This is why you need to provide first-time managers with training programs that are designed to help them thrive in their new roles and lead their teams to accomplishment.