Five signs you are ready to take the lead
You’re interested in stepping up into a management role with your current company, but there’s just one question that keeps nagging at you: Are you ready?
Fortunately, there are a few other tell-tale signs you can keep your eye out for that will help you figure out whether or not you’re actually management material.
1. You are actually excited about answering questions
Your colleague drops by your desk unexpectedly with a question about a sales report she’s compiling. How do you react?
Here’s an important thing to remember: Being a manager means people are going to come to you with questions and a lot of them.
If the thought of that alone makes you clench your jaw, you might not be ready to make the sacrifice of stepping away from your own to-do list in favour of guiding others.
2. You’re comfortable giving up a little control
Managing a team actually involves releasing some control. You’ll have to trust that your direct reports are getting things done correctly without being able to oversee every small detail.
Put simply, you’ll have all of the accountability for what is produced, without being able to have your finger in every single pie, so to speak. You’ll need to loosen the reins and empower others even when they do things differently than you might have done them yourself.
3. You’re eager to be more collaborative
Your team meeting is the highlight of your week, rather than the bane of your existence. You get genuinely excited to head into a brainstorming session, rather than looking at it as another logjam in your already packed calendar.
A management role comes with lots and lots of meetings. You’ll need to do regular sit-downs and check-ins with your team both as a group and individually. You’ll have to put your heads together with other supervisors and department leaders.
4. You’re already known as a problem solver
Everybody within your company whether it’s a peer or a leader knows that they can bring you a problem or a challenge, and you’ll roll up your sleeves and find a way to solve it. You’re actually motivated by identifying a way around those sticky situations.
When that’s the case, rest assured, you aren’t just ready to be a good manager, you’re ready to be a great one.
5. You’re invested in other people’s success as much as your own
Ask yourself: How do you feel when somebody in your company achieves a major win? Are you filled with jealousy, or are you the one spearheading the celebration? Falling into that second category is a pretty reliable sign that you’re a good fit for some leadership responsibilities.
It can be challenging to tell whether or not you’re truly ready to do that. But, keeping your eyes peeled for these five signs will help you determine if you’re truly ready to take on that more demanding position.
www.themuse.com
1. You are actually excited about answering questions
Your colleague drops by your desk unexpectedly with a question about a sales report she’s compiling. How do you react?
Here’s an important thing to remember: Being a manager means people are going to come to you with questions and a lot of them.
If the thought of that alone makes you clench your jaw, you might not be ready to make the sacrifice of stepping away from your own to-do list in favour of guiding others.
2. You’re comfortable giving up a little control
Managing a team actually involves releasing some control. You’ll have to trust that your direct reports are getting things done correctly without being able to oversee every small detail.
Put simply, you’ll have all of the accountability for what is produced, without being able to have your finger in every single pie, so to speak. You’ll need to loosen the reins and empower others even when they do things differently than you might have done them yourself.
3. You’re eager to be more collaborative
Your team meeting is the highlight of your week, rather than the bane of your existence. You get genuinely excited to head into a brainstorming session, rather than looking at it as another logjam in your already packed calendar.
A management role comes with lots and lots of meetings. You’ll need to do regular sit-downs and check-ins with your team both as a group and individually. You’ll have to put your heads together with other supervisors and department leaders.
4. You’re already known as a problem solver
Everybody within your company whether it’s a peer or a leader knows that they can bring you a problem or a challenge, and you’ll roll up your sleeves and find a way to solve it. You’re actually motivated by identifying a way around those sticky situations.
When that’s the case, rest assured, you aren’t just ready to be a good manager, you’re ready to be a great one.
5. You’re invested in other people’s success as much as your own
Ask yourself: How do you feel when somebody in your company achieves a major win? Are you filled with jealousy, or are you the one spearheading the celebration? Falling into that second category is a pretty reliable sign that you’re a good fit for some leadership responsibilities.
It can be challenging to tell whether or not you’re truly ready to do that. But, keeping your eyes peeled for these five signs will help you determine if you’re truly ready to take on that more demanding position.
www.themuse.com
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