You?re In Charge. Now What?

For years now, you have been waiting patiently for that first opportunity to be put in charge of a group and show what you can do. It has finally happened. You are giddy with excitement and your head is full of ideas. You can't wait to implement, create change, and leave your mark. Before you charge up the hill, possibly leaving everybody else behind, there's something that you really need to handle first.

Relationships, Relationships, Relationships

Business is built on relationships and having a solid trusting relationship with your team is a must. They will put out efforts for you just by virtue of your position. And they will put out super-human efforts for you if they respect you and buy into your vision. The ability to inspire great performance is what sets great leaders apart from the rest. Spend some time to build these relationships and it will create a huge impact on your effectiveness as a leader.

Get to Know Them

You don't need to be their buddy, and it is helpful to know the members of your team on a human level. If you are wondering how to begin, here's a list of questions to get you started:

? How long have you been in your position?

? What are your concerns about your work?

? What are some of the biggest obstacles you face?

? How can I help in these areas?

? How would you like us to work together?

? Where do you see yourself progressing in this company?

? How do you feel things are going in this group in general?

If you are a brand new manager, and an unknown entity, your team members may be hesitant to bare their souls at this stage. Don't push too hard. Be truly sincere about wanting to know their answers, with the objective of helping them and improving the team. Show a genuine interest in their opinions. Don't train them to tell you what they think you want to hear. Learn what they do for the group and the impact they make. Acknowledge their contribution. Thank them for their honesty. Soon you will have the trust you need to have them openly share what's on their mind.

When you perform this initial relationship building discussion well, you will gather very helpful information about the current status of your team, and the challenges and opportunities open to you. Spot trends and patterns while you analyze your data. Review your plan for the team and see what adjustments are needed based on what you have discovered.

Let Them Get to Know You

Be aware that most people are anxious about getting a new boss. Their old one might be Attila the Hun, but at least they know what to expect. You need to put them at ease and the best way to do that is to share information that they want to know but may not be ready to ask.

I suggest you accomplish this through a short staff meeting. There's safety in numbers, and they will be more willing to ask questions in a crowd as opposed to a one-on-on situation. Prepare for the meeting so it is productive. Even if you only have three items, list an agenda, a starting time, and an ending time. Do your best to stick to your agenda and time schedule. This may be their first glimpse at your work style, so put forth the effort to make a good impression.

As a start, cover the following items about yourself:

? Brief work history ? they want to know you are qualified and credible.

? Your work style ? are you hands-off, or do you love every detail. This helps guide how they will interact with you. If you like to hold monthly status meetings, tell them that.

? Your vision for the team ? it may be early in the game, but they want reassurance that their leader knows where they are headed.

? Your expectations ? in a group setting, this will be general. If missing deadlines is an offense punishable by death in your book, let them know up front. Do you like people to question decisions? Do you like unsolicited feedback, or shall they wait till you ask?

Make sure you allow some time for them to ask questions. Encourage dialogue and notice the dynamics of the group. Spot any trouble areas, and note any strength you want to leverage.

I have been plunked smack dab in the middle of about half a dozen different work groups in my career, and this approach has always served me well. It's impossible to lead when others choose not to follow. Then you are dragging them behind you and that's a lot of work. First set the foundation so they are willing and eager followers, and leading becomes a breeze.

© 2004 Inez O. Ng

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Are you struggling with the responsibility of management? Personal Coach Inez Ng has worked with professional seeking a smooth and rapid transition from manager to inspiring leader. While focusing on specific areas, her coaching positively impacts all areas of her clients' lives. Learn more about coaching with Inez at http://www.RealizationsUnltd.com

NOTE: You're welcome to "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the "about the author" info at the end), and you send me a copy of your reprint at mailto:Inez@RealizationsUnltd.com

---

Fair Measures Corporation

A case study in online "thinking outside the box" The... Read More

Determining Visitor Types

The trade show floor is full of different types of... Read More

Blowing Your Own Horn

Opportunity Assistance Business Resource Center At first you must think... Read More

Trigger Button Marketing

Sometimes, experiencing bleak sales is a matter of failing to... Read More

Using a Marketing Calendar Template

Owning a small business isn't easy, especially if you are... Read More

Why Doubling Your Fees Can Increase Business: How Pricing Affects Buyers Decision Making Process

Want to know the simple way to get all the... Read More

Trade Show Videos Need to be Planned

A few months ago, we attended the recent Austech 2005... Read More

10 Steps To Getting Paid For Your Marketing Materials

How many times have you heard the same sound bites... Read More

Business Marketing For Consultants, Coaches, Speakers, and Trainers: How To Be Noticed and Trusted

Business marketing is essential for professional services, such as consultants,... Read More

Creating Your Unique Selling Proposition or USP

Creating Your Unique Selling Proposition"Don't tell them what you do.... Read More

Take My Commitment (to Your Biz) Quiz!

Starting and managing a successful small business takes time, energy,... Read More

Motivating Your Target

There's just no time to waste in a cyber day;... Read More

5 Reasons Your Marketing Communication is Falling Flat

One of my associates sent me a promotional email she'd... Read More

Making Your Mark With The Millennials

Generation Y--The second-largest crop of young people in America's history,... Read More

Fail Your Way To Small Business Marketing Success!

Are you willing to fail your way to great marketing... Read More

Marketing Gurus : Do You Need One?

Its become fashionable to bash marketing "gurus" nowadays.There are some... Read More

Writing Business Newsletters: Avoid the ?Me, Me, Me? Mistake

Effective customer newsletters find the right mix of promotional and... Read More

Fundraisers - How to Raise Twice the Money With Half the Sweat

If your members, parents or donors wear clothes, watch t.v.... Read More

4 Alternative Ways To Gain Lifetime Customers

You will always have more people that turn down your... Read More

Four Super-Deadly Marketing Sins - And How To Fix Them

It seems nowadays every marketing guru and their brother-in-law has... Read More

Help! What Happened?

Let's be honest, when you're writing sales material for a... Read More

Marketing Person You Think You Arent

Have you thought about starting your own business? Have you... Read More

The Five Most Common Joint Venture Marketing Mistakes To Avoid

Joint Venture marketing has become a highly popular way for... Read More

Marketing Ideas Without Action Will Get You Nowhere!

Marketing Ideas Without Action Get You NowhereYou want to grow... Read More

How To Choose a Qualitative Research Market

Qualitative research, whether individual interviews, in-homes, focus groups, ethnographies and... Read More

Love My Dentist

I love my dentist! When is the last time you... Read More

Another Commercial? Dont Touch That Dial! Watch & Learn

When commercials come on the television do you get up... Read More

Todays Definition of Marketing. Has It Changed?

With the continued proliferation of the Internet, the meaning of... Read More

Prepare Your Communications For Growth

As the American economy emerges from recession, many businesses are... Read More

How to Up-Sell Change

As Freud cautioned, it's insanity to keep doing the same... Read More

Making the Intangible Real

How do you make the intangible real? How do you... Read More

Marketing to the Affluent - with Wine

With its association to an affluent, sophisticated lifestyle, wine can... Read More

Marketing in Business and Commerce in the New Consciousness

The point is what you give to another you give... Read More