Hello ?? I am a new manager (2 weeks) on Monday I am holding a meeting to implement some changes to the department.

11 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 5,2022 at 4:59PM UTC

   I would ask for their help as you want the team to succeed and have been told they are a great team to work with. Set the tone of cooperation.

2. AnonymousNovember 5,2022 at 6:04PM UTC

   Thank you. That’s a good point and one I will make clear on Monday. I do need their help and more importantly and I want them all to succeed, I see so much potential in all of them.

3. Rae WagonerNovember 6,2022 at 2:19PM UTC

   Has the previous leader been clued in to this change by upper management?

   I once had a job in which I transferred divisions in a corporation and not only did no one from corporate tell my team that I was coming to their location as General Manager, nobody told the GM of our other division (who had been running my new division as well) that A) I had been hired as GM and B) I was to be his equal, and I didn’t work for him.

   He tried to give me a couple of assignments and attempted to make my attendance (and one of my staffers) at his weekly meeting mandatory. I was floored when I found out that nobody had told him he had been relieved of managing my division, and that I/we didn’t work for him.

   It was a difficult and awkward conversation. “Hey Jim, I’m sorry nobody told you and corp dropped the ball, but I’m our GM now and neither I nor anyone on my team work for you. They should have handled this better, and I hope that we can move forward successfully as colleagues.”

4. AnonymousNovember 6,2022 at 9:05PM UTC

   Hi, thanks for your reply. Yes. They know. I did go for lunch with them last week and explained I’m not the bad guy. I’m here to make things better and to help with their progression and coach them into being the next manager.

   that’s a horrible situation you were in. Nothing bad has happened at my place, they are a great memebrr of staff and will be my right hand person for sure. I want them at my side :)

5. AnonymousNovember 8,2022 at 1:36PM UTC

   Oh my goodness that is awful all around. Wow!

6. Kathryn MontbriandNovember 6,2022 at 3:20PM UTC

   Hi there - congrats on your new opportunity.

   A few tips & things to think about:

   1) know you will have a physical reaction during the meeting. It can't be avoided so know it's coming, be ready and then move through it as quickly as possible. Don't let it distract you with worry or negative self-talk during the meeting.

   2) write down what you plan to say and practice saying it out loud. You will be more confident if you know 'the words are there' because you have spoken them previously. If your meeting is virtual, have the notes up on the screen. If it is in person, have the bullet points jotted down somewhere you can access them if needed. This also helps you not miss anything big if you get flustered.

   3) talk to the former manager ahead of time if possible. That way you can demonstrate empathy for what is likely a tough situation and also set expectations for how things will proceed. If that isn't an option - schedule time with that person shortly after the announcement and try to minimize any bad behavior as a result of the change.

   I also shared a few tips that might be relevant in this blog post (about someone who freezes up in meetings and how to deal with that pattern): https://www.kathrynmontbriand.com/when-i-grow-up/009-how-can-i-stop-freezing-in-meetings

7. AnonymousNovember 6,2022 at 9:02PM UTC

   Thank you so much :) great advice

8. Holly ConnorNovember 6,2022 at 6:01PM UTC

   Just make the whole thing about how excited you are - not for the opportunity to be in the role or whatever for you. But to have the grand opportunity to be in the role to watch them in all their magic.

   let them know you want to make sure you can do whatever you can to support them and listen to their opinions and feelings towards any changes. But focus on the future. Ask for their input. Tell them you want to schedule 1:1 upcoming and you want to know all about their passion and input.

   turn it to a communication about your new role - but quickly shift to them. pulls the focus off you and the excitement about you.

   I have the same situation where I am. I came in about 1.5 years ago and took over after the previous manager was demoted. this quickly saved me from being the bad person to exciting everyone.

   GOOD LUCK

9. AnonymousNovember 6,2022 at 9:03PM UTC

   Thank you so much. I’m writing all my notes now and will get them put in a nice order tomorrow. Exciting :)

10. AnonymousNovember 6,2022 at 9:06PM UTC

    Thank you for your tips and advice ladies. I really really appreciate the feedback. I’m so excited to get going tomrorow. Outfit is planned, make up trail been done today and I have practiced saying what I need to see. Fingers crossed ?

11. Kathryn MontbriandNovember 7,2022 at 2:11PM UTC

    you got this!