Management & Leadership
How to Manoeuvre Meetings as a Novice Manager
From My Little Book of Wisdom: Tips on Managing Your First Meeting
Congratulations on your appointment as the new manager!
While you may feel young and inexperienced, your eagerness to make an impact in your first-ever team meeting is commendable.
However, during the meeting, an older supervisor presents you with a list of problems and challenges that catch you off-guard. So, what should you do next?
Let me share some valuable tips based on my first experience facing a similar situation many moons ago.
These insights are what I wish someone had told me before I became the new manager.
Your team needs to be accountable without throwing one another under the bus. Reward those who both acknowledge their own slip-ups and offer solutions to fix them. Some of the best learning can come after mistakes are identified and ultimately lead to a better product/process in the end.— Al Goldstein, CEO of Avant.
Uncover Hidden Obstacles
Foster Private Conversations and Not Interrogations:
Try to engage team members individually in private conversations, creating a safe space to share concerns without feeling interrogated.
You will be surprised by the information you can get from individuals — it’s intelligence gathering; I learned this in the Navy.
This one-on-one approach provides a clearer understanding of their obstacles.
Practice Active Listening, Avoid Preaching:
When team members speak, actively listen without rushing to provide solutions.
Allow them to fully express their challenges and concerns, uncovering root causes rather than surface-level issues- the more you prompt and probe, the more intel you get.
How to Cultivate a Culture of Constructive Problem-Solving
Celebrate Small Wins:
One way to encourage problem-solving is by celebrating even the most minor victories.
Any small celebration is an acknowledgement — a thank you card is a good start.
This fosters a positive climate where every effort is acknowledged, motivating team members to continue contributing their ideas.
Embrace Diverse Perspectives:
If you have a problem, encourage team members to bring their unique viewpoints to the table.
This approach brings ideas to the front and often helps my project to be completed on time.
When you embrace diverse ideas, it often leads to more comprehensive solutions.
It’s not about how many years of experience you have. It’s about the quality of your years of experience.– Jacob Cass, Logo of the Day.
Focus on Empowerment, Not Control
Delegate Decision-Making and Not Micro-Managing:
There are many leaders in a team; empower them by delegating decision-making whenever possible.
Let them take ownership of certain aspects, demonstrating trust in their abilities.
This not only eases your burden but also shows confidence in their capabilities.
Frame Problems as Challenges:
I view problems as exciting challenges.
Viewing challenges as opportunities for discovery can be highly motivating for any team.
That way, your team members will also learn to take that approach.
So, lead by example.
You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great — Zig Ziglar
Conclusion
By embracing these approaches, you’ll be well-prepared to lead effectively in your first meeting as a young manager.
Create a problem-solving culture, empower your team, address personality clashes, and inspire active participation.
Let’s make your first meeting a success!
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Robin Ghosh’s expertise is in project management, sales, marketing, and business development. He has accumulated over two decades working with renowned global brands like Transerve, Castrol, BP, TOTAL, Sinopec, and ENI.
