You're primed to become a great manager if you strive to improve those around you. But it takes more than one-on-one interactions. After studying and teaching employee motivation and leadership for more than two decades, I have identified five main principles of successful management.
1. Distinguish between being friends and being friendly
It's important to be aware of how close you become with your employees as opposed to your friends. By maintaining your relationship professionally, you can more easily delegate responsibilities, critique an employee's work or even let someone go in the future.
2. Strive for clarity
The easiest way to help people reach their potential is to be clear about their roles, responsibilities, and opportunities.
According to a Gallup survey on management, clarity of expectations is one of the most basic employee needs. Provide feedback and help employees set performance goals. Encourage open communication through nonjudgmental communication.
3. Organize and filter
First-time managers will learn about parts of business strategy and operations they aren't familiar with as individual contributors. This can be challenging. Sharing information with executives about your team's morale, performance, and concerns, while filtering information about the organization's vision, performance, and priorities, is something you should prepare for.
4. Seek help
It's inevitable that you'll encounter situations you don't know how to handle, but that's an indication of your growth, not your weakness. Don't be afraid to say, "Hey, I'm stuck. Could you walk me through this?" to your boss, colleague, or fellow new manager.
5. Take action
Once you understand your role and expectations, you should feel empowered to take action. Even if you risk failing, don't be afraid to make a decision. The best way to improve is to fail forward, and if you have developed strong, trusting relationships with your team members and upper management, they will make sure every challenge your team faces is met with enthusiasm.