New job challenges

[Undirection]

How did you find your first few weeks/months in a new, perhaps more challenging role? I ask because I am in a new role, managing a biggish (25) team and the company is going through a massive software update across global markets. I’ve been dropped into the middle of it and its well out of my experience/comfort zone. Essentially the role I am doing atm is managing this across countries whilst trying to learn the software (or basically just understand it enough), get to know staff, deal with staff related issues, deal with the classic issue of rolling out software that is not finished and so deal with staff who constantly moan about it (with justification often). Oh and also recruit staff and manage new customers. It’s a chaotic whirlwind and tbh, I am not enjoying it much. I am capable of doing the job I was employed to do but this is just chaos/last minute/panic. Also, I make mistakes (only a few) as there’s so much to manage and learn and cope with and that’s frustrating. We’ll be through it in a month or so but right now…

[rog007]

Sounds like a tough gig!

Your line manager clearly thinks you can cope otherwise you wouldn't be there, so take some pride from that.

What would I do? I'd set up regular weekly 1:1s with my line manager to be able to keep them up to date and discuss any challenges before they become problems.

Equally, I'd set up similar meetings with my direct reports.

I'd also attempt to delegate as much as I safely could and set up clear reporting schedules to keep track of business.

Then I'd just work hard keeping the plates spinning as there seems to be an end point; at which time I'd take some well earned leave!

Good luck!

[Undirection]

Thanks, I'm doing that but boy its manic, every day feels like a week, things constantly go wrong (challenges of a very fast growing company) and I feel like I have 1000 plates spinning at 1000mph! Not enjoying the current disorganisation but it will get better...

[rog007]

Make a priority list of key tasks and share that with superiors and subordinates to allow them to both challenge it and then agree it. Keep it under constant review and this will bring some order to disorder.

Clearly articulate your subordinate's tasks and in priority order so that nothing gets missed. Then delegate as much as you can in order to allow you the headroom to conduct the orchestra rather than trying to play 6 instruments yourself. Easier said than done of course but it wouldn't be a bad approach.

Good luck!

[spikeyhead]

If you have 25 staff then you shouldn't be learning the software, that's why you have staff.

[andy-xr]

Part of management styles is managing up as much as managing across and down.

You're heading up a team, so if needs be, grab some one to one training on the bits you're slack on, then use that to lead your team.

Imagine it as pulling a rope that's attached to a huge rock. You all know where the rock's supposed to end up at and where it is now, but unless you all pull together at the same time, it aint moving anywhere

[cat with a hat]

I think if you don't feel out of your comfort zone/depth for a few months when you take on a new role.. You probably aren't challenging yourself and will be bored before long.