8 Essential Things You Must Consider When Becoming a Manager 

What are the most important skills to master when becoming a manager? What should you consider even before you take on the role to make sure it’s a good fit for you?

On today’s episode of Creating High Performing Teams we talk with long time leader Fabian Camargo about what it takes to be a manager and how to know if the role is a good fit for you or a friend considering the move to management. 

Listen to our episode on what to consider when becoming a manager:

• ​​​​Spotify​​
• ​​Apple Podcasts​​
• ​​Google Podcasts​​
• ​​Stitcher​​

Show Notes:

• Books we talked about today:
  • Drive by Daniel Pink (And the related TED talk is here)
  • The Making of A Manager by Julie Zhuo
  • The Art of the Impossible by Steven Kotler 
  • Grit by Angela Duckworth
  • Range: Why Generalist Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein
  • How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Key actions for you to take today:

1. What are the 3 best things someone can do if they’re thinking about becoming a manager to learn if it’s something they should pursue? 
   • The Kindle Test: Start reading management books and blogs and see if that entices you to want to learn more. Does it feel like work (bad sign), or do you enjoy it (good)?
   • Learn what management at your company is like 
     1. Get coffee (real or virtual) with managers and ask them what it’s like. Ask: What are the values the company has for managers? What is the day to day like?
     2. Ask HR and your manager if they have career path documents you can check out to see what responsibilities and expectations there are for managers
   • Test out some of the key responsibilities of managers
     1. Mentor an intern
     2. Lead the onboarding of a new hire
     3. Get involved in interviewing

2. For those already a manager, what are the things they should focus on to be successful as a new, first time manager? 
   • Look at your 1 on 1s try to evaluate how they are and try to improve them
     1. Learn more about 1 on 1s with our comprehensive guide here
     2. These meetings will evolve with each team member, here’s how they change
     3. Get help making the most of your 1 on 1s with great questions to ask, easy followups and reminders, and a lot more with a free, 21 day trial of Lighthouse here.
   • Coach a little bit more
     1. Try to ask a few more questions, a little less advice and directions
     2. Ask What and How questions to get them to open up

How to follow and find Fabian

• You can follow Fabian on Twitter here, and his consulting practice and blog can be found at managingdev.com