Starting a new position - need feedback on how to handle 2

[oldhand11]

I am starting a new position in management at a new firm. I have extensive management experience at the Director level, and have managed Engineers before. I will be managing several groups of engineers, but I knew them all (we kind of "grew up together"). I would like some ideas on how to get off on the right foot with the new staff.

I would be interested in feedback - when this happened to you, what did the new Director/Manager do that impressed you the most? What about the least?

Thanks!

 

[automatic2]

Goals and objectives, share your vision.

 

[MadMango]

Don't make sweeping changing until you get a feel for the department and can make your own judgements. Don't act upon comments from others until you have credible evidence of your own.

"But what... is it good for?"
Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[IRstuff]

Don't ever promise anything you can't deliver
Don't ever lie
Don't ever steal credit from your team
Don't ever sidestep the arrows if your team doesn't deserve them

TTFN

 

[corus]

If you can try and watch the british tv series 'The Office'. This is a comedy in the guise of a 'fly on the wall' documentary although it is all acting. This gives excellent advice on how NOT to manage and how to make yourself look a complete idiot. Watching this you might identify your own traits and thus be able to avoid them in future. I believe the series is now used on training courses for management.


corus

 

[buzzp]

Madmango has some great advise. The worst mistake I see new managers make is coming in on some sort of power trip where changes are made immediately to suit their management style. This type of action will only make your employees mad. Come in with an open mind and plan on simply observing things for a while to get a feel for what changes may help the organization and your employees.

 

[profengmen]

There is a book called The First Time Manager by Loren B. Belker.

It is not just for first time managers, I refer to it all the time. It's easy reading and has a lot of answers to your questions/concerns.

 

[HVAC68]

1. For heaven's sake, please don't change reporting formats !!! New managers tend to change the monthly reporting formats to newer ones which they are used to or have been using in their earlier jobs. This means that every other person in the organisation has to change his mindset or his/her frequency. Introduce additional columns if required or delete irrelevant columns. But, don't change the whole format.

2. Talk to people with an open mind. Never form an opinion about somebody based on (a) hearsay (b) appearance and (c) I disagree with the old saying "first impression is the best impression".

3. Don't overpromise.

4. Don't vent out opinions about your predecessor, even if he had done blunders.



HVAC68