How should a new manager/or an existing one with a promotion establish credibility without seeming authoritarian or over-friendly?
BR: The first principles apply. Respecting others and others’ roles begets respect. Most managers are keen to share their views or operating styles with the (new) team. Essential, but maybe step two.
The first step would be to listen and understand each team member’s style, role, issues, aspirations, etc. Only then share one’s own.
Establishing ground rules in terms of do and don’t behaviours is a must to operate together. It is useful to do this kind of establishing of norms first on a one-on-one basis and then collectively as a team.
Allowing others to air their views within a boundary or framework is very useful. Also, better to just focus on getting things done together. Successes, even small ones, helps get the alignment right.
How can a new manager balance authority with empathy, especially when managing former...
