Stepping in as a new manager isn’t always easy. Employees can feel unsettled about change, especially if it’s a change in management. This means, you may be met with hesitation and scepticism. Making a good first impression is therefore crucial if you want to be accepted into your new role and start delivering results quickly.

So, how can you ensure you make the best first impression on your new workforce? Here, you’ll discover some great tips and advice you can follow to help you settle in quickly.

Listen, rather than lead to start with

Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes you can make, is jumping right in with your own opinions and ideas. While you may be keen to show off your skills and the ways you can help the business, to existing employees, this can come across as really annoying.

Instead, it’s best to listen to the opinions of the staff and see what they feel will help to take the business forward. If they’re working on existing projects, what do they feel could help to make the project run smoother? The more you listen, the more you’ll learn about the current situation in the workplace and how it can be improved.

Take your time to get to know the team

You’ll make the best first impression if you take the time to actually get to know the team. A lot of managers can let their own sense of importance stop them from developing a relationship with the people they work with. However, the key to being a good manager is to understand your staff.

Even if you’re only coming into the workplace as an interim manager, it’s still important to develop a relationship with your new team. Spend the first day introducing yourself to each individual, finding out how they tick and what their attitude is towards the business. This will help you to determine the best steps forward to improve the day to day operations.

Add positivity to the workplace

A good manager is one who brings positivity into the workplace. The more positive and upbeat you are, the more the staff will warm to you. People like to be led by a positive role model. So, if you come into your new role with a positive attitude, it’s going to inspire the team and make them more likely to follow you.

Adding positivity into the workplace also helps to boost motivation, improve staff retention, and build up trust and confidence. Expanding on this, you can throw in a little gratitude too, ensuring the team feel appreciated and valued.

You don’t need to everybody’s best friend to be a great manager. However, it is important to make sure you’re easy to approach. Staying positive, listening to the team and ensuring you get to know each team member personally are all going to help you make a great first impression. Remember, how you start in your new role will determine how smoothly the transition will go.

 

Ed Smith – Ed took a keen understanding of business through his studies and early business ventures. He now looks to advise start-ups and is extremely keen to make sure every entrepreneur gets the advice which could make their business venture a success. He has been a guest author on various high authority business sites.