The Cranky Middle Manager Show 115- First Time Managers with Gary Topchik
The Cranky Middle Manager show #115
Welcome to the show, especially you first time managers or wannabes. It’s not too late to turn back…. okay now it is. You had your chance. Today we’re speaking to one of the authors of the classic, The First Time Manager, Gary Topchik
Show Notes
0:00 Welcome to first time managers everywhere. Today’s show is dedicated to Vasco Nunez de Balboa. Sometimes you have to be careful what you ask for, and when you get your chance, you’d better step up. Fortunately we have shows like this one to help. We also have my two e-books, and you can find them in the Cranky Middle Manager Store.
2:40 The quote of the week is from Demosthenes: you never know what that first gig is going to lead to. Cliche I know but true none the less.
3:35 Welcome Gary Topchik, author of The First Time Manager . What is it about first time managers that they need special attention? Some of it is that many first time managers learn from THEIR managers…scary huh? And there’s plenty of fear to go around.
6:24 Why don’t people want to be managers? There’s some prestige, and money…. oh but it’s hard work and other people make it harder. Managing former peers is one of their biggest fears. Managing strangers would be easier.
9:31 What can you do the first week on the job to get your feet under you? First, breathe……your current technical skills have no connection to your role as manager. Then have one on ones with every member of your team. Share your philosophy and get to know them.
12:30 What are some of the pitfalls young managers fall into? Badmouthing other managers and the organization ain’t gonna work. You are now them. Trying to do too much too fast is another.
16:19 As managers, you’re largely in charge of your own learning and development. What are some of the things a manager can do…. besides read Gary’s book of course. There are a ton of books, podcasts and other things. Take outside programs.
19:22 If Gary had the magic wand, most first time managers would be better communicators. The other thing is to learn to delegate, and not just to the very top performers. You don’t want to punish your best performers or let poor performers get away with murder.
24:32 Gary’s resources include:
- Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner…hey that name sounds familiar. The new edition of The Leadership Challenge. You can hear our latest conversation with Jim Kouzes here….
- Daniel Goleman on Primal Leadership
- Launching a Leadership Revolution by Brady and Woodward
- Leadership is an Art
Hey everyone, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter- just drop me an email and put Subscribe in the subject line. You can also send Gary Topchik an email by clicking here.