To be a manager or not to be…

Assignment to a manager position is a significant step in career development. But before taking this decision, you need to understand that a new job role means new duties, a new level of communication inside the company, and a new style of your life. New duties sometimes can surprise you because you can’t work as a specialist anymore from this moment. You are an experienced employee, but you should study how to work as a manager from the very beginning. Business processes, solving problems, and communication types – everything will be new for you.

Managers usually communicate with both administration and employees. It’s not very easy because you should support the boss’s ideas and take care of your staff at the same moment. It doesn’t mean that you have to be friends with everyone in the company. But, your communicative level should be very high, and people must trust you. 

At the same time, your task will be to inspire your staff. If you only manage, you won’t achieve great success. But if you lead people to accomplish common goals, you will get perfect results. The process isn’t easy, but it’s well worth the effort.

And, of course, your lifestyle will change too. Managers usually work long hours and sometimes on the weekends. A new position could require even business trips, so you should be ready to travel somewhere and represent your company to absolutely new people in new places. At the same time, promotion means a higher salary. So, you will be able to cater to your everyday needs much more easily.

The main thing you should understand is that becoming a successful manager, it’s not only about managing people. It’s also about responsibility, leadership, solving different situations, and self-development. You will be highly rewarded and continue climbing the career ladder if you are a natural leader. But if you don’t feel comfortable in the new position, it’s absolutely OK to refuse to be a manager. It’s much better to be a perfect specialist than an ineffectual manager.