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When I was 17 and I got my driver’s license, I was over the moon with excitement about the freedom and possibilities this would bring. My excitement became subsided, however, when I got behind the wheel by myself and realized I had no idea where I was going. I had been driven around so much by others, that even though I had a decent sense of direction, I hadn’t paid attention to the real landscape of the twisty turning streets in my town.
Becoming a manager is like learning how to drive. When I became a manager, I was similarly excited by the freedom and possibilities of the role. However, as when I was 17, I found myself surprised by all of the twisty turning relationships and issues that I was expected to navigate. That, like a map of my hometown, had been skipped over in my training.
If you’ve got some new managers on your team, be patient with them. Even with the best of bosses and coaches, adjusting to work life from a totally new perspective is difficult. New managers are trying to balance their new assignments, while also learning how to supervise others. There is a steep learning curve for everyone. And although they are bound to fall a few times, the support of their teammates and employees can make their experience go from frighteningly daunting to cautiously confident. I don’t know about you but I’d much rather have someone cautiously confident in the driver’s seat.