Pick up any of the many textbooks out there on the subject of management and you will find plenty of advice about how to do certain things, how to develop the rights behaviours and get the best from others.
In my experience, less is written about the importance of making the mindset shift when transitioning to management. So why does this matter anyway?
You probably got promoted because you were great at doing
Look at the way most organisations decide who gets promoted. In most cases they look for people who are doing a great job at a lower level and consistently delivering. While this tells you a lot about the individuals personal drive and ability to get things done by themselves it tells you nothing about their ability to get results from others. A key part of your successful transition is being able to start to get to work on getting results from others.
You might hold on to what you know
The great thing about those things we know how to do and are good at doing is that they help us build our self esteem and self confidence. The danger you need to be alert to is holding on to things that you really should be letting go of and delegating to others.
You have new expectations
As a manager your performance is measured differently to when you were one of the team. Being clear on what you are expected to deliver is an important part of your success and so is being able to change how you work so that you deliver on these new expectations. Where do you need to be focusing your attention?
You probably have a huge portfolio of work
If you are like most folks, you will have to manage and still deliver on significant pieces of work personally. If you don’t make the mindset shift that time needs to be set aside for managing it will probably never happen. If the managing piece does not happen how your bosses assess your performance is likely to be less favourable than if you were actually making time for managing.
Bottom Line- Successful transitioning to management requires you to shift mindset. So what mindset shifts do you need to make to achieve more success?
Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health profesionals to be highly successful managers and leaders. For information about services and programmes click here
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.