BECOMING A NEW MANAGER

Todd DeLuca

2015 #TechCommTodd

#spectrum15

Presentation Outline

• Why are we here?

• Before We Start

• 3 Step Plan

• Get Prepared

• Set Your Course

• Get Started

• What Now?

#TechCommTodd

#spectrum15

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?

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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: TechCommTodd@gmail.com

Help Spread the Word

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