What We Wish We Knew About Management
When it comes to leadership, it's no joke. Being an effective leader requires a combination of skills, knowledge, and experience that can take years to develop. But even if you've read all the books and watched all the videos, there are still some things you might wish you knew. We put together a few of the things we wish we knew before becoming a manager or leader.
Feedback can be brutal. You're more likely to get picked apart for what you've done wrong vs. what you've done right. Having thick skin and remembering its not personal is important. But it’s also important to remember that feedback can be a gift! In order for us to grow as a leader, we need to know what we’re doing right and wrong.
Staffing Decisions are hard. It's hard to let people go and it's hard to know if you've hired the right person. You're 💯 going to make mistakes and you'll have to clean up a mess here or there. Don’t beat yourself up too hard. Make decisions quickly if you’re going down the wrong path and don’t hire out of desperation. Do your due diligence in finding the right person for the role. It will save you a lot of heartache if you take your time hiring and make cuts fast. Firing people? It never gets easier.
You're not going to get it all right. Even the most experienced people screw it up. Its ok to not know everything and to remind yourself we've all got an opportunity to learn and grow. Holding yourself to unrealistic expectations of perfection is not going to serve you in your career, your business or your personal growth. We’re human, we all make mistakes, it’s all about how pivot, make the corrections and maintain a positive (and confident!) outlook!
You need mentors and peers to connect with. Mentors help to guide you because they've been there and done that. Peers - well it helps to have a friend going through the same thing. Find your people! This is one thing we’ve learned, especially as we’ve climbed corporate and business ladders. Having someone who knows how you feel, knows what you’ve been through can make a massive difference not only in your career growth but also your mental health!
What do you wish you knew?
