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Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway

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Being a new manager is scary. No two ways about it. Especialy if you have found yourself in a management position almost by accident. Even if it's something you've actively worked towards, actually being responsible for people, budgets and resources is scary. We can all comment, criticise and advise when we have no direct responsibility but when it's time to 'put our money where our mouth is' - it's quite different.

I've been a manager twice in my career, and as my business grows, I find myself increasingly in a 'management' role. In all honesty, it's not something that comes easily to me. I'm not naturally good at it, but I like to think I'm competent. And that's because I apply the training I deliver.

  • Got a difficult decision to make? - Use the decision-making tools I tell others to use.
  • Struggling to get everything done? - Eisenhower my to-do list and find people who can help me out.
  • Managing a team? - Remember all the things I teach about the importance of regular communication (even though I worry about it being 'overkill' and taking up too much of everyone's time - including my own).
  • Got to have a 'difficult' conversation? - Plan what I'm going to say, and use the structures for effective feedback (don't hope the problem will go away!)
  • Got too much work? - Say no, politely but assertively.
  • Identify a problem? - Identify possible solutions and then take it to the stakeholders if it's their decision to make rather than mine.
  • And of course, the 'golden rule' - Do as you would be done by!


Just because these things don't always come naturally to me, they sometimes feel awkward and forced. But that's the thing.... they FEEL awkward and forced to me. The people I'm working with or managing don't know how I feel. They only hear what I say and see what I do... and it isn't as bad as it feels.

We all have to start somewhere, and we only get good at something by practising. At some point, there has to be a 'first time', and that's why I say to new managers go back to your training (and if you haven't had any) get some advice, take a moment to think about what you will do, then do it.

It almost ceratinly won't be as bad as you expect, and you will probably do more good by being brave and dealing with the situation than if you just bury your head and wait for things to get sorted.

As Yoda said "Do or Do Not - there is no Try".


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