Happy Mentoring Young
Professionals!
I recently started a new
role as Controller for Near North Montessori School in Chicago and the only thing
that kept me up at night before I started were questions e.g.
- “How can I win over my
team?”
- ”Will my team enjoy
working with me?”
- “How will I develop the
team?” and so on!
On top of the numerous
questions swarming my mind about how I plan to empower & work with my team
I also realized as a manager starting new in an organization you face a lot of
challenges.
- You have to learn the ins-and-outs of your role (& your team’s roles) and how your role supports not just your team but other departments
- You have to become an
expert in your position & understand all information that crosses your desk
so you can be available to teach/train not just your team but ALL
EMPLOYEES throughout the organization
- You have to be confident
in yourself and abilities that no matter what is thrown your way you will
handle the situation swiftly and calmly
The lists of questions
and challenges are endless! But what I realized after my first couple of days
was the list of questions and challenges were not as important as getting to
know my team. My team needed me and I needed them. We were a team, working
towards the same goals & learning together. Once my mind realized this I
was able to silence the questions and list of challenges I will be facing.
Instead I focused on getting to know my team better. I focused on breaking the
ice and did so by taking the team offsite to a local bakery for tea. During tea
I explained to the team:
·
I was brought onto the
team to support them. To view me as a central support system
·
I have an open door
policy. The team can come to me for anything. I might not have all the answers,
but I will help them find the solutions!
·
I
am here to help make their lives easier. To document processes and figure out new ways to streamline their
tasks and free up their time.
I would later find out
that after my 1st team meeting offsite that the team went back to my
boss and gave their thumbs up approval of me! I showed my team that I was
human, like them, that I was learning, like them, that I was a part of the team,
like them. I let my guard down and showed my true self. I showed my
authenticity and this helped me break the ice and win over my team! I
realized there is a lot to say about being yourself and allowing your teammates
to see you for who you really are as it helps build trust and respect for all.
Please feel
free to engage in the following questions:
·
What challenges have you
faced joining a new team?
·
What did you do to break
the ice?
·
Do you feel your manager
adequately supports your team? Explain.
Kind Regards,
William T. Kernan
Chair, IMA Young Professional Advisory Committee
"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping
together is progress. Working together is success."
–Henry Ford