Becoming a New Manager
Todd DeLuca@TechCommTodd
@stcpmc
@TechCommTodd@stcpmc
Presentation Outline
• Why are we here?
• Before We Start
• 3 Step Plan
• Get Prepared
• Set Your Course
• Get Started
• What Now?
@TechCommTodd@stcpmc
About the Presenter
• Master’s Degree in Tech Comm
• Technical Communicator for 15 Years (Software Development)
• Manage team of Tech Writers
• Active STC Volunteer• Conference Speaker
• Past Chapter President (Philadelphia Metro)
• Before I Became a Manager
• Senior Technical Writer (12 years experience)
• Lone Writer (Did not work on a team – Not a supervisor)
• No Technical Communication team (new department)
• No manager position (new position)
• Worked remotely (primarily from home)
• New boss (< 6 months) – met only once
Why are we here?
Quick Poll
• What are you looking for in this talk?
• Ideas? Pointers?
• New manager advice?
• Audience Analysis
• Any managers or supervisors here?
• Any former managers?
@TechCommTodd@stcpmc
Before We Start
Leadership is a journey
…not a destination
This talk applies to anybody interested in advancing to the next level, even if being
a manager isn’t right for you (now).
Step 1 – Getting Prepared
•Analyze Yourself
•Ask Questions
Goal: Understand why you want to advance and determine how ready or close you are to making the next step.
@TechCommTodd@stcpmc
Questions To Ask Yourself
• Why do you want to be a manager?
• What kind of leader are you?
• Are you more a supervisor or manager?
• Do you still expect or want to ‘work’ and be a writer?
• What’s your motivation?
• Money
• Responsibility
• Respect or authority
• What are your expectations?
• Will you make a difference
• Are you prepared to not do your current job?
• Do you want to work for the same company/group?
Questions Others May Ask
Experience
• Why should we select you?
• What experience do you have?
• Have you led before?
People Skills
• Who will do your current job if you’re promoted?
• Is there documentation to train others?
• Are there any solid candidates to succeed you?
• How well do you get along with others?
• Both team members and leadership
• Are you compatible with company culture?
Questions Others May Ask
Other Characteristics
• Are you trustworthy?
• Are you enthusiastic?
• Are you known?
• Are you respected by your peers?
Succession Planning
• Who will do your current job if you’re promoted?
• Is there documentation to train others?
• Are there any solid candidates to succeed you?
Step 2 – Setting Your Course
•Review the Landscape
• Look at Your Surroundings
•Analyze the Situation
• Look for Support
Goal: Know your chances and where to find the next opportunity.
@TechCommTodd@stcpmc
Things to Look For
Examine Your Surrounding• What’s the ‘next’ level in your group?
• Supervisory or team lead position?
• Are there any openings?
Check the Competition• How entrenched is current manager?
• Have they been doing job a long time?
• Are they moving? Upward or onward?
• Is there competition?
• Others in your group or might be potential candidates
Things to Look For
Identify Support• Are there allies in your area?
• People who can vouch for you or provide reference
• Is there somebody who might be a mentor?
• Great chance to learn and open doors
• Locate an inside track
Things to Look For
Analyze Your Environment• Is your company the right fit?
• Do you want to work with the other managers? (imagine them as colleagues, not ‘them’)
• Do you like working for the company?
• Do you enjoy the company culture?
• Is the company growing? (how will slots open up)
• Maybe your best chance or opportunity is elsewhere
Step 3 – Getting Started
•Map a Plan
•Chart a Course
Goal: Perform concrete actions and activities to be ready to strike when the opportunity comes.
@TechCommTodd@stcpmc
What Did I Do?
• Shared my experience and accomplishments
• Offered ideas and solutions (also provided feedback)
• Worked as a ‘Department of One’
• Managed myself and took initiative (didn’t need supervision)
• Kept busy and expanded role and expectations
• Documented my work and activities (kept manager informed)
• Did work outside of usual boundaries
• Collaborated with other teams
• Maintained standards (wrote handbook and style guide)
• Shared my accomplishments (self promoted)
• Expressed enthusiasm and desire to improve and change
What Can You Do?
• Demonstrate capability
• Perform your job and more (volunteer)
• Set yourself apart – put in extra effort, work smart, make improvements, offer helpful ideas
• Act like a leader (be confident, but back it up)
• Collaborate with others
• Ask for more responsibility
• Express a desire to advance
• Share your relevant experiences
• Put yourself out there (make a name for yourself)
Course Summary
• Document Your Experience (Take Inventory)
• Talk to Others (Share Your Plan)
• Assume More Responsibility (Hit the Road)
• Remove Barriers (Manage Obstacles)
• Build Alliances (Gather Support)
• Find a Mentor (Get Guidance and Referrals)
You don’t know when something will open up or come along (unpredictable).
@TechCommTodd@stcpmc
Now That You’re a Manager
• First Things First (The Basics – Learn the Ropes)• Research, read, study
• Go Slow (Tread Lightly)• Learn the ropes (HR systems and rules, timekeeping, reporting,
…)
• Know your responsibilities (stuff you have to do)
• Get to Know Your Team• Engage, show interest
• Ask questions (get suggestions, find motivation, …)
• Find Your Style (Be Yourself)
• Let Things Go & Change Gradually• Do Less Yourself – Delegate and Trust Your Team
• Find out what’s working and what’s not
Gut Check
Being a manager is different, but how?
• Responsible for others (work, behavior, and effort)
• Evaluated by team performance (not individual work)
• Not an individual contributor (most of the time)
• Multiple roles (director, educator, discipliner, coach, play caller, cheerleader, referee, judge, and …. decision maker)
• Follow company policy and implement others’ directives
• You are the last word for the team (successes and failures end with you)
The Buck Stops with You!
Set Your Own Course
• Everyone’s Path is Different
• Some Routes are Shorter
• Some Trips Take Longer
• Journey is influenced by landscape and conditions
• Some roads are bumpier than others
• Expect detours and unexpected changes
Your Mileage Will Vary – Happy Travels!Management is not for everybody and there aren’t many opportunities.
Self-employment or contracting might be a better option or fit.
Thank You
Contact Info
Twitter: @TechCommTodd
Email: [email protected]
Help Spread the Word@TechCommTodd@stcpmc#techcomm
Becoming a new manager
Todd DeLuca
2015