So you want to be a Manager
December 11, 2006 10:50 AM
I've spoken to a lot of people in my career who, when asked, aspire to the job of their manager.
When people think about career progress, they invariably think about climbing the ladder vertically within the organisational structure that currently exists within their company. This can often not only be a very long wait, but when they do get there the individual finds themselves not really enjoying the position they find themselves in.
When considering a move into management I would strongly advise having a really good think about it first and getting some advice from people you know already in management positions - you may find that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.
Management can often mean waving goodbye to all the things you have learnt and built up throughout your career. But if it's right for you, then it might well be worth looking into as it can be very rewarding.
Just make sure you don't go from 'company superhero' to 'company timesheet signer', which I've seen happen in many cases when people just aren't right for it.
I think a good place to start is to find out which personality type you are using our Personal Profile tool.
Has anyone else seen great employees sink into the wrong management job?
Comments
Oh yes, the Personal Profile showed me as a Contender...not sure I agree with this but hey ho! Being a manager can look really glamarous but its about having a balance of what you enjoy with feeling great & proud of yourself. Is that the classic balancer?
Here is a question too - the Personal Profile says it doesnt pigeon hole, but surely by putting people into different groups does that? You can be a bit of everything not just a balancer. So calling me a contender to me is putting me into a group.
Another thing is that I think this can be seen as negative, because people can discriminate on certain groups - we see it with age, race, sex etc So if this catches on we could see managers being "balancerist" or "contenderist".
But going back to managers who shouldnt be - Im sure they exist at every work place, Even at perfect workplaces like Jobsite Keith! Specially those who are creative (marketing people) or technical (IT people) who then then go into managing people and the job is nothing like the one they had before! Yes more money, but the job can be lonely as you have to abide to more rules and responsibilities.
I would also advise people dont go for a management at your current company because workers wont respect you or take you as seriously as if you start a fresh with a new company - they will still see you as the old you who was just another member of the team!
David - December 11, 2006 4:08 PM
Keith, you talk about employee's who want to climg the vertical ladder, but I do think it is important at times for people who wish to progress in their career to also take sideward steps to give them a better knowledge of the indusrty they choose to work in. Progression isn't always a step forward.
spencer - December 15, 2006 8:56 AM
Exactly my point Spencer. I back the idea of looking spatially around you "careerwise" wholeheartedly.
I don't agree with your point on progression though.....Progression implies a step forward surely.
Keith - December 15, 2006 10:32 PM
Managers who shouldn't be? In my experience is has been people who have progressed up through the ranks "as a matter of right" rather than ability. These managers can be the most dangerous because they still look at the job they do the way they approached their previous roles. I can think of a senior manager and a Director who this applies to who were bullies and extremely vindictive. I worked in IT for more than 10 yrs and saw "Techies" promoted because they were excellent at their jobs - not because they would make good managers.
On a personal note, I have been a manager for 13 yrs and have previously been promoted to a level that was two levels above my ability at that time - and within 8 months, I had failed because I was a good Service manager - but not ready to be a Department Head, I simply didn't have the "tools" for the job.
While I am still in a senior management position and know I can progress further up the ladder, I also know my limitations. For me, progression also means continually improving my skills as a manager to enable me to do my job better - at whatever level that may be.
Chris - December 24, 2006 9:41 PM