So I just got promoted.

[stalefish3169]

I work for a large GIS firm and just became the head of my own group yesterday. Although I have effectively been providing technician oversight from an analyst position, this will be my first time working as an actual manager. As of now, I have 10 people I’m responsible for. I’m confident in my technical abilities, but as far as personnel issues go, I’m in mostly uncharted territory. What advice do you geniuses have for me?

[Lamothe]

Don't make friends but be considerate . Choose your management style and stick too it . You give an inch , staff take a mile , make the rules clear ( in a nice , respectable way ) and keep to them. Biggest is lead by example and make sure you staff knows your busting your ass too and not just barking orders while you take extra long lunches.

[Danno]

keep them happy, provide hookers and blow

[MMP]

Read. Learn how to manage. Promoting competent employees and expecting the level of proficiency as a manager to be the same as when they were subordinates is a gamble and can set you up to fail.

[Timberridge]

pm 4matic

[butterscotch]

Have them all do crossfit.

Seriously:
1. Own up to your mistakes.
2. Give credit where credit is due.
3. Don't make them work harder than you do.

[TBS]

Treat everyone the same. No hanging out with a select group, or making special arrangements you aren't prepared to extend to the entire team
Set challenging expectations, celebrate successes and use failures to teach.
Don't accept excuses
Always support your team with outsiders - never ever throw any of them under a bus unless you are prepared to fire them for incompetence. If there's a team fuckup, make sure you step up and own it publicly.

[Crass3000]

I see future posts from you in the "Shit that annoys you" thread. I hate being in charge of other people.

[iceman]

Punt.

[iscariot]

Hire me.

[Hott Butt Mud]

Lead by example.

Be more professional than you were before.

Don't talk shit about your boss (or anyone) in front of your subordinates.

Bring in donuts every once and a while.

[TomCrac]

Don't be "that guy" on the chair, taking phone calls from the office, harshing my mellow.

[stapes]

Go ahead and uninstall ArcMap, you won't be needing it anymore.

[spook]

do the opposite of whatever 4matic says

[Brock Landers]

Shoot the hostage

[4matic]

Any insubordination and they're fired. They work at the pleasure of the business. Weekends, nights, holidays. Whatever it takes.

[Hugh Conway]

If you have to ask TGR for help realize you'll always suck shit as a manager and go get another job. Your employees will thank you.

[Hott Butt Mud]

Don't start sentences with the word so.

[4matic]

Seriously:

Read and know your employee manual.

Document any behavioral issues with times and dates.

Use your HR department to check yourself.

[BmillsSkier]

Don't fraternize with the help.



Seriously, that may be tongue in cheek but the days of you going out and acting a fool with your subordinates is over. There's a line there, and at any work function, meeting, trip, convention, call, etc you must maintain it.

[4matic]

Don't fraternize with the help.



Seriously, that may be tongue in cheek but the days of you going out and acting a fool with your subordinates is over. There's a line there, and at any work function, meeting, trip, convention, call, etc you must maintain it.

We get that every year in our diversity and ethics training. If you walk in a bar and there are co-workers there, leave.

[skiballs]

You cube monkeys are a strange bunch.

[stfu&gbtw]

A wise man once said, "the beatings will continue, until moral improves".

As a technical person, I always knew how to make a manager work. I just try to remember what constitutes consideration, support, and recognition when I am the one receiving it. There's a right way to do a job, and it's disrespectful of my employees if I don't expect them to learn it and execute regularly. At the same time, I stand by my employees and try to value their personal time as much as they do. I don't say as much as my own, because it's not their network and I don't expect them to have as much invested in it as I do. Unfortunately, working on a computer network requires a commitment of planned and unplanned personal time. I've always expected a company to be as generous with their time as I am with mine.

Good luck.

[stalefish3169]

Don't make friends but be considerate . Choose your management style and stick too it . You give an inch , staff take a mile , make the rules clear ( in a nice , respectable way ) and keep to them. Biggest is lead by example and make sure you staff knows your busting your ass too and not just barking orders while you take extra long lunches.

Solid advice here. Office politics suck and I don't want to be the guy choosing favorites. I've been on the wrong side of that deal and it is not fun.

Read. Learn how to manage. Promoting competent employees and expecting the level of proficiency as a manager to be the same as when they were subordinates is a gamble and can set you up to fail.

I'm working on this. You guys know more than just about anyone.

Treat everyone the same. No hanging out with a select group, or making special arrangements you aren't prepared to extend to the entire team
Set challenging expectations, celebrate successes and use failures to teach.
Don't accept excuses
Always support your team with outsiders - never ever throw any of them under a bus unless you are prepared to fire them for incompetence. If there's a team fuckup, make sure you step up and own it publicly.

This is tough. What scares me most is that we are constantly under tight deadlines and even when everything goes off without a hitch, they are still difficult to meet.

Punt.

Ha! This is funny. But unlike Hugh, I have to work. I paid for college and grad school myself. Now I need to get a return on my investment.

Hire me.

PM me if you're serious. We are almost always hiring.

Lead by example.

Be more professional than you were before.

Don't talk shit about your boss (or anyone) in front of your subordinates.

Bring in donuts every once and a while.

I plan on following all of this. The no shit talking is definitely the hardest. Office politics are no fun.

Go ahead and uninstall ArcMap, you won't be needing it anymore.

I laughed. I saw this happen to my old manager. As a pre-condition for accepting my new role, I stated that I must be allocated a ceratin % of time for R&D.

We get that every year in our diversity and ethics training. If you walk in a bar and there are co-workers there, leave.

This is Portland. We have no diversity, very questionable ethics, and a kegarator in our office.

[cl1953]

Believe it or people want to be appreciated for their work. Since you will be the last to leave everyday be sure to say thank you for their efforts. It goes a long way to build loyalty.
Bon Chance