18 answers
Anas
Student
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
1
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what is the most challenging thing about being a manager?
#management
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18 answers
mark fries
Marketing
2
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
mark’s Answer
I have found that mitigating interpersonal conflicts between team members has been the most challenging aspect of management. It is never a clear cut case of one person being wrong and the other person being right on a single issue. It is usually a litany of extremely small issues that have built over time and seem insurmountable to the employees. These can be tricky and require both employees to be open to the process of finding common ground and moving on. It doesn't always work, but it can be incredibly rewarding when it does.
Jacobo Crespo
Sales
6
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Jacobo’s Answer
Managers have to adjust to their employees because not everybody has the same level of skills, expertise, experience nor motivation. Being a manager means that you have to understand your employees and how they better assimilate and understand the tasks and projects you will delegate to them. You have to have a lot of empathy and patience and good communication skills.
Feedback is critical as well. It should be open both directions and always constructive and sincere.
Jacobo
Feedback is critical as well. It should be open both directions and always constructive and sincere.
Jacobo
Michael Schwartz
Product Marketing
8
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Michael’s Answer
It is also challenging to find the right balance doing your own work and managing/coaching your team. If you also have a poor performer, learning how to manage personalities and help develop that person within your own leaderships voice is a journey.
Michael Cogar
Engineering Director
7
Answers
Chandler, Arizona
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hello Anas,
Leading people is the most challenging but rewarding aspect of being a manager. Most job requirements are mechanical and scripted but leading people and helping them accomplish goals that they did not think that they could otherwise accomplish is the real challenge. When it happens it's an amazing feeling.
Leading people is the most challenging but rewarding aspect of being a manager. Most job requirements are mechanical and scripted but leading people and helping them accomplish goals that they did not think that they could otherwise accomplish is the real challenge. When it happens it's an amazing feeling.
Karen Cayea
Director
11
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Anas - there are many challenges Managers face every day. I think the biggest one is understanding the business need & your employees needs & then figuring out how to motivate & inspire your employees to achieve the business goals.
It really does come down to caring for your employees, understanding what motivates them, their strengthens & then leveraging those strengths to build a team that is passionate about the goal. Which takes time to build those relationships.
It really does come down to caring for your employees, understanding what motivates them, their strengthens & then leveraging those strengths to build a team that is passionate about the goal. Which takes time to build those relationships.
Chiquita Singletary
Lead Experience Manager
7
Answers
Paterson, New Jersey
Updated
Chiquita’s Answer
The hardest part of being a manager was learning not to expect me from my team. As someone who is very passionate about the work I do, I would become easily frustrated when a peer did not show that same level of pride in doing a good job or providing customer satisfaction. When I was promoted and now had to manage those same people, I not only had to acquire new skills and knowledge but also undergo difficult personal changes. I had to find creative ways to motivate my team and hold them accountable for their performance. It was definitely a challenge, but those who were willing increased their personal development and fond better ways of working. That was the rewarding part for me.
Adam Heugh
Medical Bill Reciew
24
Answers
Lansing, Michigan
Updated
Adam’s Answer
Hi Anas:
There are many things that are challenging about being a Manager. Generally, the Manager wears a lot of hats. Not only do you have to manage different employees, you are essentially responsible for the running of the department. One key thing is that you have to be able to support your team and make sure that the department is producing and meeting its goals. While managing people can be challenging, I employ the servant leadership approach. Some of the things that you can do to assist your employees to achieve their potential is by listening, having empathy, being aware of what is going on in your department and communicating with your team. By engaging in these activities you put your employees' needs first and they feel committed to doing a good job. As a manager, your job is to remove all of the hurdles so that your employees can do what they need. This is very challenging at times.
Other challenges for a leader/manager would be inspiring others, appropriate delegation and guiding change. Natural leaders find this very easy, but others need to work on this. My general rule is manage people the way you would like to be managed and generally things go much easier.
There are many things that are challenging about being a Manager. Generally, the Manager wears a lot of hats. Not only do you have to manage different employees, you are essentially responsible for the running of the department. One key thing is that you have to be able to support your team and make sure that the department is producing and meeting its goals. While managing people can be challenging, I employ the servant leadership approach. Some of the things that you can do to assist your employees to achieve their potential is by listening, having empathy, being aware of what is going on in your department and communicating with your team. By engaging in these activities you put your employees' needs first and they feel committed to doing a good job. As a manager, your job is to remove all of the hurdles so that your employees can do what they need. This is very challenging at times.
Other challenges for a leader/manager would be inspiring others, appropriate delegation and guiding change. Natural leaders find this very easy, but others need to work on this. My general rule is manage people the way you would like to be managed and generally things go much easier.
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
850
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Anas,
The first thing to know is that challenges in management vary with every person. It will matter how much you can tolerate about the various elements that come with being a manager. I struggled in three areas when I became a manager. Before you read, understand that I chose not to be a manager several years ago, unable to handle the stresses in my chosen field.
1 - I was not trained to be a manager at any of the jobs where I worked. In business, some individuals confuse having leadership qualities with having the ability to lead. In some ways, managing people is about administration which is a lot about knowing company policies and procedures and how to apply them. Most people leave bad managers, not companies. I have had many bad managers and sometimes it is as simple as having poor people skills that make managers hard to work for. People skills can be taught but the learning has to be available.
2 - You are judged by the performance of your people, not you. That can be great when you have a good team that does what they are supposed to do. Otherwise, it can be an exercise in frustration as you may need to chase people to convince them to do their jobs. I was unfortunately a manager of the job that I do. I am considered very good at my job and I expect the same level of performance of others. It was the single most difficult thing for me to address. (And is one of the reasons that I am not in management at my current employer even though I have been asked several times.)
3 - You are a middle man between management and your people. If you are in agreement with your leadership and respect your leaders, this can be great. If management gives you a direction that makes it difficult for you to convey the message, this can be stressful too. It can be hard for some to lead with conviction and honesty with such an internal conflict.
I have had some incredible managers. All of them were able to handle the listed challenges with level heads and dignity. I have that boss now, for which I am very grateful.
Gloria
The first thing to know is that challenges in management vary with every person. It will matter how much you can tolerate about the various elements that come with being a manager. I struggled in three areas when I became a manager. Before you read, understand that I chose not to be a manager several years ago, unable to handle the stresses in my chosen field.
1 - I was not trained to be a manager at any of the jobs where I worked. In business, some individuals confuse having leadership qualities with having the ability to lead. In some ways, managing people is about administration which is a lot about knowing company policies and procedures and how to apply them. Most people leave bad managers, not companies. I have had many bad managers and sometimes it is as simple as having poor people skills that make managers hard to work for. People skills can be taught but the learning has to be available.
2 - You are judged by the performance of your people, not you. That can be great when you have a good team that does what they are supposed to do. Otherwise, it can be an exercise in frustration as you may need to chase people to convince them to do their jobs. I was unfortunately a manager of the job that I do. I am considered very good at my job and I expect the same level of performance of others. It was the single most difficult thing for me to address. (And is one of the reasons that I am not in management at my current employer even though I have been asked several times.)
3 - You are a middle man between management and your people. If you are in agreement with your leadership and respect your leaders, this can be great. If management gives you a direction that makes it difficult for you to convey the message, this can be stressful too. It can be hard for some to lead with conviction and honesty with such an internal conflict.
I have had some incredible managers. All of them were able to handle the listed challenges with level heads and dignity. I have that boss now, for which I am very grateful.
Gloria
Chayla Beason
Director, MA Coordination of Care Program
15
Answers
Canton, Michigan
Updated
Chayla’s Answer
As a manager, you are responsible for your own success and also for the success of your team. This can be a bit stressful & challenging given that teams are made up of different people with varying personalities and the manager has to navigate both. As a result, there are a number of tools an techniques to help manage the stress and challenges. A good leader, never stops learning and listening and seeking ways to improve his/her managerial skills.
Diane Garcia
3
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Diane’s Answer
The most difficult aspect of being a people manager is getting to know each individual and then tailoring your own management approach based on the employee's dynamics. Managing people does not lend to a "one size fits all" philosophy. You need to understand each person's personality, motivations, strengths, weaknesses, aspirations, goals, and then work with each person individually to bring out their best. Invest in each person on a personal level and support them in their career journey. It can be difficult to manage all the different personalities and needs of the team, but that is your job to help them along in their growth.
Elaine Garzon
Vendor Management
16
Answers
Miami, Florida
Updated
Elaine’s Answer
You need to adapt your management style to the different personalities on your team. Some many need more guidance, some may like to work more independently. At times you may find yourself being a referee as well amongst your team but you should always foster a sense of comradery and that everyone is working towards a common goal. You succeed or fail as a team.
Scott Noviello
Manager - Project Management
3
Answers
Lansdale, Pennsylvania
Updated
Scott’s Answer
For me, it was working with different personalities. The work part always came easy, but I had to work on the following things to be a good manager:
-Be sympathetic to what someone may be going through
-Use different approaches for different personality types, not everyone is motivated by the same methods
-Constructive coaching to improve performance
-Make sure to proactively recognize good work
These things take time and effort, like anything else.
-Be sympathetic to what someone may be going through
-Use different approaches for different personality types, not everyone is motivated by the same methods
-Constructive coaching to improve performance
-Make sure to proactively recognize good work
These things take time and effort, like anything else.
Jessica Nelson
Operations Manager
9
Answers
Saint Clair Shores, Michigan
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
The most difficult part of being a manager is making decisions that are the best for the team in the long-term and not a short-term fix that may hurt the team. Having the mindset to pause, think, include, and then make decisions is a skill that takes a lot of time to hone. Trust your team to provide feedback on active issues and it will increase the likeliness of their buy in on the solution.
James Webster
Supervisor - Test Systems Admin
12
Answers
Toms River, New Jersey
Updated
James’s Answer
For me was dealing with each different personality of each individual on your team. Good or bad everyone has an opinion and how you respond to them is important on dealing with them and not create conflict. You have to sensitive to their needs as well as the needs of the business.
Franklin Hanson
Software Engineering
7
Answers
Herndon, Virginia
Updated
Franklin’s Answer
Making decisions that negatively impact individuals but have a very positive impact on your team or business as a whole can be very stressful. Additionally some of the greatest moments as a manager often come over long periods of time building and seeing others grow on your team.
Suvebah Sharif
15
Answers
Updated
Suvebah’s Answer
The most challenging thing as a new manager is to master the art of dealing with different people. The key is to take your time to build a bond with your team members and understand what they need from you. Each person on your team is an individual and you have to tailor your leadership style to match their needs.
Shannon Millson
Deal Strategy
15
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Shannon’s Answer
Whether you are a people manager, a team manager, or a manager of a specific project, the key to success is being able to manage different personalities and building a trusted partnership with the people you are working with. Getting to know the people you are working with and how they like to work will help you collaborate, communicate, and manage your team or project successfully!
Maeve Cannon
CareerVillage.org TeamPartnerships Manager
47
Answers
Ridgewood, New Jersey
Updated
Maeve’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team
As a CareerVillage staff member, I am posting this on behalf of a group of professionals at PwC:
Leading a team through an uncertain environment and helping them stay motivated and focused despite the uncertainty.
It has been challenging to lead my team through all the changes we have faced as a result of COVID, turnover, and the pace of change around technology advancements.
Leading a team through an uncertain environment and helping them stay motivated and focused despite the uncertainty.
It has been challenging to lead my team through all the changes we have faced as a result of COVID, turnover, and the pace of change around technology advancements.