So You Want to Become a Manager
If you have read some of my previous articles, you may have noticed that I usually write a blog post based on a conversation I had with someone, an idea that came to mind, or an event that occurred in my life. One day, while talking to my neighbor about our professional lives, jobs, and the companies we work for, I asked him about his role in the company.
"I was a developer, but now I am on the dark side. I'm working in management."
Dark side.
Why is it dark? Being a boss should be awesome.
I understand that many people consider management positions attractive due to their higher salaries, greater authority, and access to valuable information. However, the role of a manager is often perceived as being on the "dark side" of business. While it may seem like a less demanding job with more meetings, being a manager can be challenging and stressful. In my experience as a management team member, I have encountered situations that have convinced me that there are indeed some challenging aspects to management.
Here are some challenges that managers are facing.
People
I really enjoy working with people and I believe they are a crucial component in any workplace. However, being a manager also has its difficult aspects. For example, delivering bad news to employees or dealing with their problems, frustrations, or conflicts can be challenging. As a manager, it's important to have good psychological skills to provide proper support to your employees. This may involve giving tough feedback, implementing financial freezes on raises, or explaining why someone wasn't promoted when they were expecting it. As a manager, it would be desirable to be able to know a few aspects of your employees' personalities to know what jokes or comments you can make.
When dealing with people you have to be impartial and empathetic. And sometimes that's pretty hard.
As a manager, one of the challenging aspects of your role is to hire the right people for your team. Although hiring and interviewing may seem thrilling, it can be expensive and time-consuming, especially in the tech industry. Therefore, you have to ensure that you are selecting the best candidates for the job. However, when you have numerous applicants, it can be challenging to find the right fit. You may have to compromise and settle for someone who lacks some of the required skills. Even if you feel confident that you have picked the right person, it's not always a guarantee that they will be the perfect fit for the job, project, or team. In the end, it is your responsibility as a manager, and it can be challenging to fix any errors.
Administrative
During my time, I have noticed that many employees dread discussions about evaluations, feedback, and goals. While some are proactive, others need constant reminders, which can become tedious for both the manager and the employee. As a manager, it is also crucial to work closely with the HR and IT departments to ensure that your team members have all the necessary resources and support to perform their duties effectively. This includes providing them with proper equipment, access, and a comfortable work environment.
When it comes to hiring new employees, a manager should have an onboarding plan in place, and someone to guide the new hires during their initial month of employment. Additionally, a manager must collaborate with the team to plan vacations and other time off, as well as create a backup plan in case of sudden absences or resignations.
Meetings
As a manager, you often have numerous meetings every week. It is important to schedule regular 1:1 meetings with each employee, at least once a month if not more frequently. You also need to have frequent discussions with your peer managers to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that processes are running smoothly.
Additionally, it is crucial to communicate regularly with individuals who have an impact on your employees' activities, such as project managers. This will help ensure that they can perform their jobs effectively and that the best decisions are made for both the employees and the project.
Decisions
A manager is responsible for making important decisions. They take full accountability for all the decisions, whether good or bad. They decide who to promote, adjust salaries based on employee performance, and set priorities for their team. They also determine where to place employees based on their abilities and the project's requirements.
Managers must balance both the project's needs and the employee's needs. They also need to decide when to hire a new person based on the company's requirements and can explain their decisions to their bosses, as managers have bosses too.
Conclusions
As you see, a manager's role is not always bells and whistles and comes with some challenges that you have to consider.
Photo credit: Maarten van den Heuvel on Unsplash.