11 answers
11 answers
Updated
Bhavana’s Answer
For becoming a Manager, it can seem challenging to earn recognition from higher-ups despite your diligent efforts and hard work. It's essential not to lose heart. Instead, create a robust plan to reach your objectives. Consider seeking guidance from a mentor who can help you outline your long-term goals and steer you through the process of enhancing your skills and aligning them with your career aspirations, such as becoming a manager. Here are some key areas to concentrate on:
1. Cultivate Leadership Qualities: In addition to hard work, show leadership by taking the initiative, making confident decisions, and leading your team towards goal achievement. Develop qualities like empathy, active listening, and the ability to motivate and inspire others.
2. Establish Robust Network and Positive Relationships: Build strong relationships with your colleagues, senior management, and other departments. Networking and maintaining positive work relationships can help you grasp the wider organizational context and garner support for your initiatives.
3. Improve Communication Skills: Effective communication is a critical skill for managers. Practice clear, concise communication, both verbally and in writing. The ability to express ideas, offer constructive criticism, and manage conflicts diplomatically is vital.
4. Develop Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: Cultivate the capacity to think strategically and see the broader picture. This includes identifying potential hurdles and opportunities, prioritizing tasks, and devising innovative solutions to problems.
5. Embrace Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Keep up-to-date with industry trends and continuously look for opportunities for personal and professional development. Be receptive to new ideas, adaptable to change, and eager to learn new skills that can enhance your effectiveness as a manager.
Remember, everyone is unique, and so are their journeys. What works for one may not work for another. Therefore, start by identifying your strengths and weaknesses. Evaluate how these traits can be nurtured over time to suit the department whose manager you aspire to become.
1. Cultivate Leadership Qualities: In addition to hard work, show leadership by taking the initiative, making confident decisions, and leading your team towards goal achievement. Develop qualities like empathy, active listening, and the ability to motivate and inspire others.
2. Establish Robust Network and Positive Relationships: Build strong relationships with your colleagues, senior management, and other departments. Networking and maintaining positive work relationships can help you grasp the wider organizational context and garner support for your initiatives.
3. Improve Communication Skills: Effective communication is a critical skill for managers. Practice clear, concise communication, both verbally and in writing. The ability to express ideas, offer constructive criticism, and manage conflicts diplomatically is vital.
4. Develop Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: Cultivate the capacity to think strategically and see the broader picture. This includes identifying potential hurdles and opportunities, prioritizing tasks, and devising innovative solutions to problems.
5. Embrace Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Keep up-to-date with industry trends and continuously look for opportunities for personal and professional development. Be receptive to new ideas, adaptable to change, and eager to learn new skills that can enhance your effectiveness as a manager.
Remember, everyone is unique, and so are their journeys. What works for one may not work for another. Therefore, start by identifying your strengths and weaknesses. Evaluate how these traits can be nurtured over time to suit the department whose manager you aspire to become.
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James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
5667
Answers
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Jacob!
How Do People Become Managers?
Becoming a manager is a multifaceted process that involves a combination of skills, experience, and personal attributes. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how individuals typically ascend to managerial positions:
1. Understanding the Role of a Manager
Before aspiring to become a manager, it is crucial to understand what the role entails. Managers are responsible for overseeing teams, making strategic decisions, and ensuring that organizational goals are met. They must possess strong leadership qualities, effective communication skills, and the ability to motivate others.
2. Building Relevant Skills
To be considered for a managerial position, individuals should focus on developing key skills such as:
Leadership: The ability to inspire and guide team members.
Communication: Clear and effective communication with team members and stakeholders.
Problem-Solving: The capacity to identify issues and develop solutions.
Time Management: Prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines.
Decision-Making: Making informed choices that benefit the organization.
3. Gaining Experience
Experience plays a vital role in becoming a manager. This can be achieved through:
Entry-Level Positions: Starting in lower-level roles allows individuals to learn about the company’s operations and culture.
Taking Initiative: Volunteering for projects or responsibilities that showcase leadership potential can help gain visibility.
Mentorship: Seeking guidance from current managers can provide insights into what it takes to succeed in management.
4. Networking
Building relationships within the organization is essential. Networking can lead to opportunities for advancement by:
Connecting with Colleagues: Establishing rapport with peers can create support systems.
Engaging with Higher-Ups: Regularly interacting with senior management can increase visibility and open doors for promotions.
5. Pursuing Education and Training
While not always mandatory, further education can enhance qualifications:
Formal Education: Degrees in business administration or management can provide foundational knowledge.
Professional Development Courses: Workshops or certifications focused on leadership skills can bolster one’s resume.
6. Demonstrating Results
Consistently delivering results in current roles is critical:
Meeting Targets: Achieving or exceeding performance metrics demonstrates capability.
Contributing to Team Success: Being recognized as a valuable team player increases chances of being considered for promotion.
7. Expressing Interest in Management Roles
Communicating aspirations clearly is important:
Discuss Career Goals with Supervisors: Letting managers know about your interest in moving up can lead them to consider you when opportunities arise.
Seeking Feedback: Regularly asking for constructive criticism helps identify areas for improvement.
8. Applying for Managerial Positions
When opportunities arise:
Prepare an updated resume highlighting relevant experiences and skills.
Tailor cover letters to reflect understanding of the managerial role being applied for.
Conclusion
If you find yourself working hard and being punctual but not getting picked for managerial roles, consider evaluating your skill set, seeking feedback from supervisors about areas of improvement, enhancing your networking efforts, or expressing your career ambitions more clearly within your organization. It may also be beneficial to seek mentorship from those already in management positions who can provide guidance tailored specifically to your situation.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard Business Review - A leading resource on business management practices providing insights into leadership development.
Forbes - Offers articles on career advancement strategies including tips on becoming a manager.
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - Provides comprehensive resources on career development and management training programs.
God Bless You!
JC.
How Do People Become Managers?
Becoming a manager is a multifaceted process that involves a combination of skills, experience, and personal attributes. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how individuals typically ascend to managerial positions:
1. Understanding the Role of a Manager
Before aspiring to become a manager, it is crucial to understand what the role entails. Managers are responsible for overseeing teams, making strategic decisions, and ensuring that organizational goals are met. They must possess strong leadership qualities, effective communication skills, and the ability to motivate others.
2. Building Relevant Skills
To be considered for a managerial position, individuals should focus on developing key skills such as:
Leadership: The ability to inspire and guide team members.
Communication: Clear and effective communication with team members and stakeholders.
Problem-Solving: The capacity to identify issues and develop solutions.
Time Management: Prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines.
Decision-Making: Making informed choices that benefit the organization.
3. Gaining Experience
Experience plays a vital role in becoming a manager. This can be achieved through:
Entry-Level Positions: Starting in lower-level roles allows individuals to learn about the company’s operations and culture.
Taking Initiative: Volunteering for projects or responsibilities that showcase leadership potential can help gain visibility.
Mentorship: Seeking guidance from current managers can provide insights into what it takes to succeed in management.
4. Networking
Building relationships within the organization is essential. Networking can lead to opportunities for advancement by:
Connecting with Colleagues: Establishing rapport with peers can create support systems.
Engaging with Higher-Ups: Regularly interacting with senior management can increase visibility and open doors for promotions.
5. Pursuing Education and Training
While not always mandatory, further education can enhance qualifications:
Formal Education: Degrees in business administration or management can provide foundational knowledge.
Professional Development Courses: Workshops or certifications focused on leadership skills can bolster one’s resume.
6. Demonstrating Results
Consistently delivering results in current roles is critical:
Meeting Targets: Achieving or exceeding performance metrics demonstrates capability.
Contributing to Team Success: Being recognized as a valuable team player increases chances of being considered for promotion.
7. Expressing Interest in Management Roles
Communicating aspirations clearly is important:
Discuss Career Goals with Supervisors: Letting managers know about your interest in moving up can lead them to consider you when opportunities arise.
Seeking Feedback: Regularly asking for constructive criticism helps identify areas for improvement.
8. Applying for Managerial Positions
When opportunities arise:
Prepare an updated resume highlighting relevant experiences and skills.
Tailor cover letters to reflect understanding of the managerial role being applied for.
Conclusion
If you find yourself working hard and being punctual but not getting picked for managerial roles, consider evaluating your skill set, seeking feedback from supervisors about areas of improvement, enhancing your networking efforts, or expressing your career ambitions more clearly within your organization. It may also be beneficial to seek mentorship from those already in management positions who can provide guidance tailored specifically to your situation.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard Business Review - A leading resource on business management practices providing insights into leadership development.
Forbes - Offers articles on career advancement strategies including tips on becoming a manager.
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - Provides comprehensive resources on career development and management training programs.
God Bless You!
JC.
Updated
Shirley’s Answer
Hi Jacob,
Becoming a manager requires a thorough understanding of the technical side of the job and soft skills.
Technical skills include:
1) How well do you do the job? (i.e. accuracy and efficiency)
2) How well do you understand the tasks? (i.e. no repetitive mistakes, willingness to learn)
Soft skills include:
1) Leadership skills: it's not about bossing people around. How can you motivate your staff and help them reach their potential? your manager's goal? add value to the company?
2) Communication skills: based on your technical understanding, how can you devise and implement ways to change/manage the workflow for continuous improvement? How would you handle conflicts among staff members?
Becoming a manager requires a thorough understanding of the technical side of the job and soft skills.
Technical skills include:
1) How well do you do the job? (i.e. accuracy and efficiency)
2) How well do you understand the tasks? (i.e. no repetitive mistakes, willingness to learn)
Soft skills include:
1) Leadership skills: it's not about bossing people around. How can you motivate your staff and help them reach their potential? your manager's goal? add value to the company?
2) Communication skills: based on your technical understanding, how can you devise and implement ways to change/manage the workflow for continuous improvement? How would you handle conflicts among staff members?
Updated
Sasha’s Answer
Hi Jacob,
Working in management requires specific skills and education and can present a unique and challenging opportunity for job candidates. Managers might earn higher wages than individual contributors based on experience and responsibilities. A management role might also lead to senior positions later on, such as senior supervisor, department head or even CEO.
Here are some tips to become a manager:
1. You will need to be an expert of your designated area. This entails continuous self-study, undertaking professional development courses, and seeking mentorship from established managers and senior business leaders within or external to your organization.
2. You will need to work on honing your skills in the following areas (this is not an exhaustive list). Bear in mind that you do not need to be 100% proficient in any of these skills before becoming a manager. Often, the best way to develop these soft skills is through learning on the job and being receptive to feedback.
- Strategic thinking
- Time management
- Critical thinking and problem-solving on your own initiative
- Confident decision-making
- Strategic stakeholder relationship-building
- Clear communication skills to convey ideas at multiple levels
- Delegating tasks effectively according to team strengths
- Management reporting technologies and dashboards
3. Position yourself for a promotion. Inform your manager of your career goals and of your desire to progress towards management and possibly senior leadership level. Ask them for feedback on your current strengths that would make you a great leader, and ask for feedback on what skills they think you could improve on to develop into a manager.
4. You should also seek opportunities to train team members—especially new hires as a supplement to the onboarding process. This will make for useful information to add as achievements to your evolving management resume, and as experience you can revert to when you approach a job interview for a management role.
5. You can showcase your potential and demonstrate how serious you are about pursuing a career in management through taking a management course.
6. When preparing for your first management interview. The employers questions will be focused on assessing your competency in common scenarios in the day of a manager, such as your ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders, resolve conflict, manage an underperforming team member, deliver high performance against KPIs, and solve problems. The key here is to remember to talk facts, metrics and outcome. Employers are using the STAR process. When answering use examples that provides situation, task, action and result as a manager. The interviewer wants to hear tangible results of your career success and the impact you have made in the junior stages of your leadership career thus far. (Now you can see why volunteering to take on leadership roles in projects is so essential.)
This is higher level, focused on your leadership skills, shifting from who you are as an individual contributor.
Remember- "Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It's about impact, influence and inspiration." Best of luck!
Working in management requires specific skills and education and can present a unique and challenging opportunity for job candidates. Managers might earn higher wages than individual contributors based on experience and responsibilities. A management role might also lead to senior positions later on, such as senior supervisor, department head or even CEO.
Here are some tips to become a manager:
1. You will need to be an expert of your designated area. This entails continuous self-study, undertaking professional development courses, and seeking mentorship from established managers and senior business leaders within or external to your organization.
2. You will need to work on honing your skills in the following areas (this is not an exhaustive list). Bear in mind that you do not need to be 100% proficient in any of these skills before becoming a manager. Often, the best way to develop these soft skills is through learning on the job and being receptive to feedback.
- Strategic thinking
- Time management
- Critical thinking and problem-solving on your own initiative
- Confident decision-making
- Strategic stakeholder relationship-building
- Clear communication skills to convey ideas at multiple levels
- Delegating tasks effectively according to team strengths
- Management reporting technologies and dashboards
3. Position yourself for a promotion. Inform your manager of your career goals and of your desire to progress towards management and possibly senior leadership level. Ask them for feedback on your current strengths that would make you a great leader, and ask for feedback on what skills they think you could improve on to develop into a manager.
4. You should also seek opportunities to train team members—especially new hires as a supplement to the onboarding process. This will make for useful information to add as achievements to your evolving management resume, and as experience you can revert to when you approach a job interview for a management role.
5. You can showcase your potential and demonstrate how serious you are about pursuing a career in management through taking a management course.
6. When preparing for your first management interview. The employers questions will be focused on assessing your competency in common scenarios in the day of a manager, such as your ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders, resolve conflict, manage an underperforming team member, deliver high performance against KPIs, and solve problems. The key here is to remember to talk facts, metrics and outcome. Employers are using the STAR process. When answering use examples that provides situation, task, action and result as a manager. The interviewer wants to hear tangible results of your career success and the impact you have made in the junior stages of your leadership career thus far. (Now you can see why volunteering to take on leadership roles in projects is so essential.)
This is higher level, focused on your leadership skills, shifting from who you are as an individual contributor.
Remember- "Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It's about impact, influence and inspiration." Best of luck!
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
Keep in mind this helpful advice for any job promotion: the selected candidate may sometimes fit better with the team's character, and this doesn't reflect on your capabilities or skills. Feel free to inquire with the interviewer or recruiter about ways you can enhance your prospects for future roles.
An effective approach to boost your chances is to devise a comprehensive plan for your initial 30, 60, and 90 days, as well as for the following 3 months (which equates to your 90 days), 6 months, and a year. This not only highlights your proactive nature but also exhibits your grasp of the job and your plan to thrive in it.
An effective approach to boost your chances is to devise a comprehensive plan for your initial 30, 60, and 90 days, as well as for the following 3 months (which equates to your 90 days), 6 months, and a year. This not only highlights your proactive nature but also exhibits your grasp of the job and your plan to thrive in it.
Updated
Martha’s Answer
You have asked an excellent question, Jacob, and Bhavana has already given you terrific advice. To add / reiterate:
- You have described great qualities for an individual contributor, but a manager must do more than that, such as define projects and targets, build and manage teams, resolve interpersonal conflicts, and more. Bhavana identified characteristics for those responsibilities and I have added a link with more.
- Have you asked to become a manager? Your manager/organization may not know that you are interested and feel that you are ready. If you have, maybe have a conversation with your manager about why this promotion has not happened.
- Have you demonstrated managerial skills? For example, Bhavana mentioned volunteering to lead specific projects or going out of your way to assist a teammate.
- There are many - often free - resources to learn more about what leadership entails and how to gain those skills. Learning more and incorporating those skills into your worklife will indicate your commitment to rising into the management ranks.
Good luck!
Indeed.com - https://www.indeed.com/hire/c/info/qualities-of-a-good-manager?gad_source=1&psafe_param=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwzIK1BhAuEiwAHQmU3pnaDqg76ecUq79SFa0E6tG5L08ZTPBWHnyZyGyZsALsmCc3LkBOmRoCJf8QAvD_BwE&aceid=&gclsrc=aw.ds
- You have described great qualities for an individual contributor, but a manager must do more than that, such as define projects and targets, build and manage teams, resolve interpersonal conflicts, and more. Bhavana identified characteristics for those responsibilities and I have added a link with more.
- Have you asked to become a manager? Your manager/organization may not know that you are interested and feel that you are ready. If you have, maybe have a conversation with your manager about why this promotion has not happened.
- Have you demonstrated managerial skills? For example, Bhavana mentioned volunteering to lead specific projects or going out of your way to assist a teammate.
- There are many - often free - resources to learn more about what leadership entails and how to gain those skills. Learning more and incorporating those skills into your worklife will indicate your commitment to rising into the management ranks.
Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Alberto’s Answer
Hi Jacob! Becoming a manager involves more than just hard work and punctuality, though those are important qualities. To position yourself as a candidate for management, you should actively develop and demonstrate leadership skills, such as effective communication, team-building, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. Additionally, express your interest in advancing to your supervisors clearly and ask for feedback on what specific skills or experiences you need to develop to be considered for a managerial role. Seeking mentorship from current managers or enrolling in leadership training can also be beneficial. It's important to show initiative by taking on responsibilities that go beyond your current role, such as leading projects or helping to improve processes. This demonstrates your capability to handle managerial duties. Employers often look for evidence of leadership potential in actions and attitudes, not just job performance, so actively showcasing your readiness to lead can help make you a standout candidate for a managerial position.
Updated
Angela’s Answer
Hello Jacob, to put it simply, in the professional landscape, managerial roles are less abundant compared to individual contributor roles, which could be due to their limited availability. If you're truly passionate about leading others, I would advise you to begin by enhancing your visibility and honing your networking abilities. In addition, it's crucial to equally balance your management skills both upwards and downwards. Your team members require motivation and encouragement, while your superiors are looking for tangible results and accomplishments.
Updated
Aleah’s Answer
Jacob,
In order to succeed, and potentially be promoted, you must take your job, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, seriously. Show up on time every day (which it sounds like you already do, so kudos to you!) and ask off for vacations far in advance; preferably three months in advance but no less than two weeks. Don’t call in unless you truly are sick! These actions make you reliable and reliability is crucial for promotion and pay raises. Whenever an extra shift is needed, volunteer to work it; but not at the cost of your mental or physical health! Know your limits! Maybe that means picking up two extra shifts per month but no more. Stay off of your phone when you are at work. This makes you seem more dedicated and helps you to accomplish the most you can in the work day. Lastly, do your best in all that you do. Your thoroughness and caring will be noticed by the right manager! Perhaps the reason you haven’t yet been promoted to a manager is due to your age, or the length of time you’ve been with your company. Seniority is usually also used to determine promotions, which makes sense as you can hardly train and manage someone who has more experience than you do. Stick with your current job for a few years, follow the tips above, and see if you get promoted! And if you don’t, perhaps it is time to try a new job.
Show up on time every day!
Ask off for vacations well in advance (preferably 3 months but no less than 2 weeks).
Pick up extra shifts when needed and when you can.
Stay off your phone at work!
Do your very best every day. Produce high quality work. Stick with the same company for at least 2 years!
In order to succeed, and potentially be promoted, you must take your job, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, seriously. Show up on time every day (which it sounds like you already do, so kudos to you!) and ask off for vacations far in advance; preferably three months in advance but no less than two weeks. Don’t call in unless you truly are sick! These actions make you reliable and reliability is crucial for promotion and pay raises. Whenever an extra shift is needed, volunteer to work it; but not at the cost of your mental or physical health! Know your limits! Maybe that means picking up two extra shifts per month but no more. Stay off of your phone when you are at work. This makes you seem more dedicated and helps you to accomplish the most you can in the work day. Lastly, do your best in all that you do. Your thoroughness and caring will be noticed by the right manager! Perhaps the reason you haven’t yet been promoted to a manager is due to your age, or the length of time you’ve been with your company. Seniority is usually also used to determine promotions, which makes sense as you can hardly train and manage someone who has more experience than you do. Stick with your current job for a few years, follow the tips above, and see if you get promoted! And if you don’t, perhaps it is time to try a new job.
Aleah recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
If you wish to enter management, ask yourself if you enjoy being on a team, working collaborativley with others, and have the desire to lead.
If the answer is yes:
—Make it known within your organization that you want to be a manager. Find a great manager within your organization and express your goals. Develop a personal development plan that includes mentoring from a great manager, a plan that allows you to shadow great managers you aspire to be like, and truly learn what managers do behind the scenes.
—There are now so many management courses amd training opportunities available. Many are free! Take a few of these and determine if your desire remains true to the management field. As a manager you will now be responsible to deliver results through your people—Key Performance Indicators, Cost, On-Time, and even managing personal performance of those on the team.
If the answer is yes:
—Make it known within your organization that you want to be a manager. Find a great manager within your organization and express your goals. Develop a personal development plan that includes mentoring from a great manager, a plan that allows you to shadow great managers you aspire to be like, and truly learn what managers do behind the scenes.
—There are now so many management courses amd training opportunities available. Many are free! Take a few of these and determine if your desire remains true to the management field. As a manager you will now be responsible to deliver results through your people—Key Performance Indicators, Cost, On-Time, and even managing personal performance of those on the team.
Updated
Langston’s Answer
Jacob, here's a simplified guide on how to transition into a management role. It involves several elements:
- Mastery of Skills
- Building Connections
- Seizing Opportunities
- Right Timing
To start with, you need to excel in your current role. You don't have to be the top performer, but aim to be among the top 10%. Consistently delivering high-quality work is your first step towards management.
Next, pair your excellent performance with effective networking. This will open up more career advancement opportunities, both within and outside your current company. A crucial aspect of networking is finding a mentor, preferably someone two levels above you and not directly in your line of supervision. This mentor can guide you through your career path, aid in your growth, and introduce you to important connections. Participate in company events, social gatherings, volunteering opportunities, and explore other departments that interest you. Job shadowing is a great way to learn about different roles.
Opportunity and timing often go hand in hand. If you consistently perform well and network effectively, chances to step into a new role or ascend to management will present themselves. Your mentor can help you identify these opportunities. Inform your immediate supervisor about your ambition to move into management. If the right opportunity comes and you seize it at the right time, you stand a good chance of securing the role. Remember, persistence is key! It may take several attempts before you make the upward move.
Here are some immediate steps you can take:
Find a project or task outside your immediate role that you can assist you leadership with
Find a Mentor
Job Shadow roles you are interested in.
- Mastery of Skills
- Building Connections
- Seizing Opportunities
- Right Timing
To start with, you need to excel in your current role. You don't have to be the top performer, but aim to be among the top 10%. Consistently delivering high-quality work is your first step towards management.
Next, pair your excellent performance with effective networking. This will open up more career advancement opportunities, both within and outside your current company. A crucial aspect of networking is finding a mentor, preferably someone two levels above you and not directly in your line of supervision. This mentor can guide you through your career path, aid in your growth, and introduce you to important connections. Participate in company events, social gatherings, volunteering opportunities, and explore other departments that interest you. Job shadowing is a great way to learn about different roles.
Opportunity and timing often go hand in hand. If you consistently perform well and network effectively, chances to step into a new role or ascend to management will present themselves. Your mentor can help you identify these opportunities. Inform your immediate supervisor about your ambition to move into management. If the right opportunity comes and you seize it at the right time, you stand a good chance of securing the role. Remember, persistence is key! It may take several attempts before you make the upward move.
Here are some immediate steps you can take:
Langston recommends the following next steps: