The first management job an individual lands is always remembered. This is because there are so many new things that appear. No matter how much education you had and how well you thought you were prepared, there are challenges that will be problematic. For many, one is asking for help. As a first-time manager you want to make a really good impression so you try to solve everything alone. This is not a good approach. Everyone needs help from time to time so asking for it is something that should be a part of the job. German Trujillo Manrique makes it easier for first-time managers with the following tips about asking for help.
Always Be Patient With You First
This is important as it helps you to avoid confusing temporary challenges with failure signs. In management there are situations that seem to be much more serious than they are. You want to ask for help to fix problems where you do not have obvious solutions that can be implemented. There is a learning curve involved in management, one that includes analyzing what situation is dire and what is not. Sometimes, you do not actually need help. You just need to take a step back and think things through.
Swallow Your Pride
A big mistake first-time managers make is not openly discussing important things with the boss. You have to let the boss know exactly what is needed in order for you to be highly successful at the job. Try to be as specific as possible.
Do not avoid asking questions, even if they seem to be really tough. It is always a lot better to ask them so you find good answers if you do not have them yourself. Although everyone wants to appear as competent as possible and disappointing superiors is a huge fear, asking questions early helps.
Ask Questions Early
Talking about asking questions, you need to be sure that you ask them as soon as possible. This is what helps you to get over the initial learning curve. When you hide the fact you have no idea how to handle a problem, significant risks appear. As an example, when waiting for months until you get the official direction for team work scheduling, huge mistakes appeared in that time frame and the boss will be annoyed while the staff will be angry.
Remember the fact that most people are promoted to management positions because they are really good at the job that they do. This does not make them great managers. They need to learn how to become great managers. You cannot do this if you do not ask questions as soon as you have them.
Demonstrate Initiative
Last but not least, if you need to ask for help and talk to the boss, show that you did take some initiative in figuring out how to fix the problem. As an example, when you ask advice about handling employee conflict, start by mentioning what approaches you take into account. Even if you have a not so perfect idea, it is much better than having no idea at all.
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2018 ·