Learning to lead

As some of you may know, I was promoted to the position of manager at the retail store for which I work.  I have been a manager for about 8 months and have worked within the company for 18 months.  Transitioning from a full-time customer service associate to holding a position as a manager has been challenging and given me ample opportunity to learn as well as grow.

When I was first promoted to the position of manager, I was actually promoted over someone with whom I would have to work with on a daily basis.  I don't mean that I would see this person from time to time in passing, it meant we would work together in the same department and interact daily.  This was slightly uncomfortable and caused me some anxiety.  This was a unique challenge to me that I needed to face straight away.  The person had been working in the department for quite a while and was very knowledgeable in the field.  They most likely felt, and rightfully so, that they deserved the job more than I, and most likely felt resentment towards me.  Before I took the position as manager, I went to the person and explained to them how I felt about our upcoming situation.  I wanted to start our relationship off on the right foot.  So, I told them I understood if they had any ill feelings towards me that it would be natural, but I wanted to resolve any doubts immediately.  I was frank and admitted I had quite a bit of learning to do, and I wouldn't be able to grow and become the leader I needed to be without their help.  This really helped break the ice and showed I had the ability to be a team player.  I still had to work my way in, and although my respect from this person didn't come easily, it did come, and we ended up working very well together.  However, those first few weeks were tough for me.  I needed to learn and ask questions while also providing leadership for my department. It was a daunting task, but once I met the challenge, it made me a much stronger person.  Over time, I was able to share with this person the responsibilities of being a manager, and he/she has become a manager at a different store.  Before he/she transferred, this person came to me and said, “Your being hired was great for this department, and I'm glad it happened.  I'm glad we had the opportunity to work together.”  Lemons turned into lemonade! 
 
Leadership is a tough role. Some parts of the transition were easy for me.  Continuing my ethic as a diligent worker and completing paper work on time are a couple examples of things that came naturally.  Leading by example through work ethic is one of my strongest suits.   Being seen as an authoritative figure was and still is challenging as I am young and new to the management world.  I don't mean authoritative just to my employees only, I also mean to customers as well.  People question me due to my youth. I guess I need gray hair and a few wrinkles (on occasion vast product knowledge isn't enough these days)!  Resolving issues between employees fairly and impartially isn't always as clear cut as you'd like it to be.  Having to answer the tough questions and make judgment calls to resolve customer complaints was something that took me a while to get a handle on (it's never easy being put on the spot).  I have always been a good teacher but sometimes I can't help but wonder if I am doing enough to develop my employees.  Coming into my own is a process.  Having employees understand the company’s goals and how it expects my department to operate can be a hurdle.  Making sure my avenues of communication are accessible and clear between me and all employees is an ever evolving process. A department manager is stuck somewhere between being a boss, a co-worker, and a friend.  I want my employees to respect me as a leader but also feel able to come to me in their time of need.  The boss side of me has to ensure people are working hard, are on task, and staying motivated.  The co-worker in me sympathizes with employees when they are having a bad day, or have been treated poorly by a customer.  The friend in me wants to say, oh, it's ok if you slack off today, I understand, I have a lazy bone occasionally as well.  Knowing you can't allow that "lazy day" to happen is where the lines get murky.
 
The only real insight I have is that there's no one right way but plenty of wrong ways when it comes to a being a department manager.  Sometimes the best way to learn, grow, and develop is through trial by fire and making mistakes.  As a leader you need to be a rock that others can rely upon, but don't be afraid to admit you screwed up. That's what separates the men from the boys. A strong chin and a bit of intelligence paired with a sense of direction can carry you through.  Surrounding yourself with a good team that connects on a personal level is important.  If you enjoy the people you work with, it makes the hard days much easier.  Employ people who are well rounded but vary in their strong suits which allows the opportunity for personal growth.  Don't be afraid to learn. Sure, I am the manager, but that doesn't mean I know everything.  To stay on top, I have to be willing to learn and to evolve. 
 
As always, thanks for reading.  Feel free to make comments!  You'll find this week’s poem is pretty self-explanatory.  A poor man with a dream! 
 
A Case Of Blues 
 
A handsome man walks toward his busted car 
His lifelong dream is to own a classy bar 
It's something he can't begin to afford 
His lucky string is a rusted broken cord 
 
The dreamer's tattered clothes melt into a fitted suit 
He slips into fancy shoes and sheds his shredded boots 
Time piece ticks as he slides it back into his vest 
Bourbon neat as he greets his first guests 
 
He envisions dim yet dazzling blue lights 
Cigar smoke lingers lazily in sight 
Live blue's melodies play low filling the open air 
Jazz tomorrow night to add a touch of flair 
 
Laughter is on the house and is heard all around 
Slow dance by some, hand in hand they are bound 
Applause after a song finishes that touched the crowd 
Now this is work that can leave a man feeling proud 
 
Regulars begin to build as word spreads 
Red leather booths fill with smiling heads 
Beautiful women under crystal chandeliers are finely dressed 
All the men can't hide their wonder and that they are impressed 
 
He wakes to snow fall in a car that won't start with no heat 
Rips in his clothes leave him huddled for warmth in his seat 
A hungry stomach groans and growls angrily at its predicament 
Yet this world shows no real remorse and very little sentiment 
 
Maybe one day he can bring his heart fluttering hope to life 
At the fiber of his being his fixation on this vision runs rife 
Something he can build with his own hands 
Until then he will live in his castle made of sand