I’d like to share a BIG thanks to leadership expert Dan Erwin for sharing his insight into what new managers need to know. Typically guest writers offer me a post, maybe two, that I can share with you. Dan volunteered to write a whole series, and a wonderful series of articles they were.
I asked Dan to share a closing note with you, to tie it all together, and and to give you one last bit of insight that you can take back to your job and think about.

Delegating, feedback, big-picture thinking and learning – they all sound like Management 101.  …read more

Note from Phil: This is the 5th in a series of posts focusing on new managers from leadership expert Dan Erwin. This week Dan discusses the big picture focus needed to get out of the pile and stay above the fray, with some great tips on how to find the big picture focus.
New managers have a real knack for getting mired in project demands and overlooking organizational initiatives.  After all, your previous success was tied to incremental activities.  Now you’re being told to focus on the big picture. 
Why is Big Picture Focus Important?
The job of management is to focus on …read more

This is the fourth in a series of posts specifically for new managers from leadership expert Dan Erwin. This week’s post is focused on getting your boss’s support, an often overlooked key for new managers.

When you switch from individual performer to manager, you’re also automatically switching roles with your boss.  You’re now his/her partner–a different relationship than the past.  What that also implies is that you need to to manage your boss to get her support, insight and resources.
When I tell you to manage your boss, I do not mean to defer obsequiously, become a sycophant–or a suck-up.  I mean …read more