advice for new managers by Alison Green on January 17, 2023 I’ve had a bunch of questions recently from new managers looking for advice. Here’s a round-up of past columns with advice for new managers. This is by no means comprehensive; there’s lots more advice if you look through the “being the boss” section of the archives. general advice for managers advice for first-time managers how […] Read the full article →
I need to give my employee more positive feedback by Alison Green on September 1, 2020 A reader writes: My employee recently told me that she would like to get more positive feedback from me. I’m good at giving constructive feedback on how to improve her work, but I will admit that I don’t often remember to give positive feedback. This has been difficult my employee, who said that she has […] Read the full article →
is it a bad idea to work for a first-time manager? by Alison Green on April 23, 2020 A reader writes: I need help in assessing the pros and cons of going to work for someone with no experience managing direct reports. I’m currently employed with an organization where layoffs are looming in the near future, and I have started looking for a position with a hopefully more stable company. I have over […] Read the full article →
how can I tell if I’m a good manager? by Alison Green on July 11, 2019 A reader writes: In the last few months, I’ve gone from being an individual contributor to now managing a team of several employees. While I absolutely love my new role and feel alive doing what I do, I’m not oblivious to the fact I’m still very new at managing people and have lots of room […] Read the full article →
my staff tells me what they’re doing rather than asking permission by Alison Green on October 10, 2018 A reader writes: I am a fairly new (five weeks) supervisor for a small team of creatives — we all work together on our projects. I have noticed that when my team has a request, they have almost all have a habit of making it a statement rather than a question. For example: “I have […] Read the full article →
advice for first-time managers by Alison Green on December 4, 2017 Becoming a manager is one of the biggest and most stressful professional transitions that you’re likely to make in the course of your career. When you’re new to managing, it can be tough to realize that the skills that served you well up until this point aren’t necessarily the same ones that will make you […] Read the full article →
are new managers supposed to be this stressed out? by Alison Green on May 23, 2017 A reader writes: I recently got promoted to a managerial job, and I love what I do. I’m finding, though, that the amount of responsibility that falls on me has been making me unhealthily anxious. I missed a call from work today, for example, outside of work hours, and have been agonizing over what could […] Read the full article →
how can I stop softening the message in tough conversations with my staff? by Alison Green on March 4, 2015 A reader writes: I’m a relatively new manager of a small team, and while I do have a lot of strengths as a manager, I’ve also discovered that I have no idea how to communicate directly. Even when I think I am being direct, I replay the conversation in my head later and realize I […] Read the full article →
first-time manager? here’s what you need to know by Alison Green on August 26, 2014 If you’re new to managing, the skills that served you well up until this point probably aren’t going to be enough to bring you success managing a team. Managing well requires a whole different set of skills and behaviors. Here are the five most important things for you to know about doing it right. 1. […] Read the full article →
how I can be more authoritative now that I’m a manager? by Alison Green on February 19, 2013 A reader writes: I’ve recently ascended rather quickly into a new leadership role at my company and I am struggling with communicating to those on my team such that everything is not a collaboration and debate. There are times when I need people to do what I am asking them to do, simple as that. Yesterday, […] Read the full article →