Connecting With Your Team As A First-Time Manager

Getting a promotion to a managerial role is very exciting, allowing you to utilise a different set of skills, work with people closely, and build confidence in your ability to make important decisions and lead a team. 

However, it can also be very daunting, especially when navigating how chummy you should be with employees.

Set boundaries

If you have worked your way up through the company, you might find it difficult to suddenly be your friends’ boss and have more authority. This is why it is a good idea to set boundaries early on, while still being friendly and sociable. 

For instance, you could go for Friday drinks but only stay for one, or organise coffee mornings but set a time limit. 

Team rituals, such as ‘Meme Mondays’, help build camaraderie and trust, which boosts workplace morale and co-operation.

Communication preferences

You want to let your employees know you are there to listen and help in any way, but it is a good idea to state what your communication preferences are. 

Some people prefer face-to-face chats, some have an open door policy, some set virtual office hours for chatting, and some prefer private emails to be sent after office hours. 

Let your team know what, when and how they can communicate with you to create an open and honest environment. 

Trust your team 

If you want your team to trust you, you need to show you trust them. Delegate roles, set them responsibilities, and believe in their abilities to build their self-esteem and promote hard work. 

This way when a job is done well, they can all take pride in it, and when something is less successful, they all feel accountable. 

For more guidance on how to lead a team, management training can be of help, providing skills and tips on hitting work goals while encouraging a friendly atmosphere.