How to successfully take on the role of manager?

For Succeed in taking on the role of manager, it is better not to take action without thinking but rather to take some time to observe and analyze your environment. In this article, Valérie Rocoplan, CEO of Talentis and professional coach, introduces us 3 areas to think about in order to lay a solid foundation for a successful transition to leadership.

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Taking over as a manager: Me & Myself

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The first thing is to position yourself as an observer and as a listener. What will be the key to your transition is the time you will spend observing and forming strong beliefs about the diagnosis of strongest levers for changes that you can have an impact on in this new job. The second thing: build a proactive agenda. You are the one who keeps the structure of your agenda. Be sure to adopt a Iron discipline about how much time you have for action, reflection, inspiration, and breathing. Finally, Manage your energy like a marathon runner. Being a manager, in the first phase of transition of office, is tiring because you have a lot to discover. So be vigilant about your sleep, your diet, and the times of inspiration and breathing that will allow you to “re-energize” yourself regularly.

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Taking over as a manager: Me & My Team

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First, learn to get to know each member of your team individually on 2 axes: their skills and their commitment. Also check their capacity to have a strategic vision of their function. At the start of your leadership role, it is important that you define the people you will keep in the same functions, the people for whom you will change the functions, and the people you miss in order to succeed in your mission. The second very important thing about your team is theThe contract that you will enter into with your own boss or bosses. What do they expect from you first in this new role? You have a few months to prove yourself and define with them the vision and the levers of change. Finally, concerning your team, take a few weeks to announce your vision to the whole team, clarifying your diagnosis, and Tell them your strategy, after about 3-4 months. It all depends on your function. It's also important that your team members see their responsibility in the story.. Let them feel inspired by the fact that they each have a role to play in this success.

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‍To (re) see: the 5 characteristics of a successful team.

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Taking over as a manager: Me & My Environment

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That is to say, the other teams that are around. The first thing you need to do during this transition phaseis to study the “steering system” of your organization. This is the governance of your function, of course, but also of your Management Committee, for example. What are the meetings that exist? Which ones are useful? What concerns the “steering system” constitutes the key points at which strategic decisions are taken. Take time with your team to redefine it according to the challenges of your strategy and the agreements made with your hierarchy on the strategic focuses of your function. Having a good vision of your environment also means identifying the key players. Who are the people involved in certain projects? Who are the hesitants or the opponents? Who are the most influential people? Who are the experts? It is fundamental, in a leadership position, that you study how decisions are made and what you can change in this culture Of course, gradually. I wish you every success during your transition to your management position and see you very soon for another Minute Coaching!