THE NEWMANAGER

Cheat Sheet

When in Doubt, think about:“Would my people hire me to be their leader because of the di�erence I make to them?” –Alan Fine

DO DON’T

YOUR GUIDEto Becoming aSUPERSTAR LEADERWhen You’re the New Kid on The Block

KEEP DOING WHATYOU’VE ALWAYS DONEYour new role is to enable others to do the work, not do it all yourself.

TRY TOO HARDExerting newfound authority and making knee-jerk decision can be disastrous. Pump the brakes while you gather the facts.

TALK SO MUCH The strength and ingenuity of people’s ideas might surprise you if you listen more and talk less.

MISS OUT ON QUICK WINSIs there an annoying meeting you can eliminate? Good news you can deliver? It’s important to start quickly and from a positive place.

OVERLOOK THE SMALL STUFFAs you share your overarching vision and direction, keep expectations practical and recognize how work really gets done.

BE AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKESLook at your missteps as learning opportunities. Take a deep breath and determine what to do di�erently next time.

HAVE ALL THE ANSWERSCoach others to solve their own problems rather than rescuing them. When they own the solution they’ll get to action much more quickly.

LIST THE THINGS YOU DON'T KNOWIdentify your knowledge gaps and shift your mindset to an attitude of inquiry.

SHARE WHERE YOU ARE STUCKLet people know your limitations upfront. Being honest about strengths and weaknesses di�uses anxiety and creates trust.

ASK QUESTIONSYour new value comes from asking the right questions and letting others o�er up the answers.

GET TO KNOW PEOPLEWhat your team thinks about you matters. Stop hiding behind email and socialize!

MAKE TIME TO STRATEGIZEResist the temptation to get caught up in the crisis of the moment. Set aside time every day to focus and plan.

REMEMBER—IT’S NOT ABOUT YOUThe best manager is a selfless manager. Keep the focus on your team’s success.

BELIEVE IN EACH PERFORMER’S POTENTIALPeople often rise to your expectations. If you expect creativity, innovation, and accountability then you’re more likely to get it.

TIPS

Create Strong Connections Schedule weekly 1:1s, whether in-person or remotely

Practice SayDoCo. Say what you’ll do, do what you say, communicate when you can’t

Learn How to Give E�ective Feedback Ask open-ended questions; avoid any question that can be answered with a “yes” or “no”

Let the other person talk first and more often

Prepare for Tough ConversationsWrite down the conversation and any and all possible responses

Practice what you might say with a trusted colleague

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SOURCES: New Managers: Embrace Your Rookie Status Harvard Business Review, October 20155 Things New Managers Get Wrong, U.S. News and World Report, September 2015The 7 Common (And Totally Avoidable) Mistakes New Managers Make, Fast Company, September 2014