HOW YOU KNOW YOU ARE READY TO MANAGE PEOPLE

Have you reached that stage of your career where you’re keen to take on extra responsibility? Or perhaps your current supervisor has suggested that you consider a step up the career ladder. Moving into a people management role can be both challenging and exciting. To be successful, you require a combination of hard and soft skills. Do you think you have what it takes?

Here’s how you know you are ready to manage people.

You are confident

People management takes confidence. You need to trust in your ability to make good decisions and take calculated risks, especially as you won’t always get it right. And you need the confidence to sell your ideas and decisions to your team.

You are the go-to person in your team

Right now you have a reputation as a problem-solver not just in your team but across the company. People come to you because they know you’ll be able to advise on the best way forward. And put the wheels in motion for positive action to take place.

You delegate tasks

A good people manager is comfortable delegating tasks to individual team members, and confident in their ability to complete the work efficiently and to a high standard. If you’re ready to make the move, you’re likely already spreading the workload.

You enjoy supporting others

You gain a sense of satisfaction from empowering individual team members. With your support, feedback and coaching, they’re developing the skills they need to excel at their job and in the company.

You have good interpersonal skills        

To be a successful people manager, you need to be able to effectively communicate to multiple stakeholders. Tick this box if you’re clear and convincing when you speak, and an active listener who takes the time to listen to individual ideas and concerns.

You have a strong business focus

You are genuinely interested in where the business is heading. You openly share your knowledge and enthusiasm with others motivating them to work towards positive outcomes for all.

You stay calm in a crisis

When there are challenges, team members will automatically look to their manager. If you’re the type of person who stays calm and collected in the face of a storm, you’ll provide reassurance and motivation to turn things around.

You are comfortable with conflict

People pleasers do not make successful people managers! In a management role, some of your decisions will prove unpopular and you’ll likely face some tough conversations in the role, too. So, ask yourself whether you are comfortable with conflict and confident in your ability to steer a course through it.

You are keen to learn and grow

There’s a lot to learn when you step into a people management role. If you have a thirst for knowledge and growth, you’re helping set yourself up for a successful move up the career ladder.

People management is a challenging yet rewarding role that requires a range of skills. All of these will obviously be developed on the job. But if you’re already ticking most of the boxes, you know that you are ready to make the transition.

If you’re looking for a people management role, contact the professional Optimal Recruitment team today on info@optimalrecruitment.com.au or 02 8416 4181.