created by Sensitive_Coach4377 on 02/02/2025 at 05:30 UTC
28 upvotes, 3 top-level comments (showing 3)
I need advice from people who are in management roles. As a 24-year-old young blood, am about to lead a group of 6 in the coming weeks. All of them are older and more experienced in the industry than me, probably better practitioners.
So how can I show up trustworthy, deserving and capable in front of them?
Last week, was able to secure a supervisory position in a big local company with billions of net income. I'm in corporate communication.
Graduated last Jul 2024, and in the same month, secured a PR role in a small multinational company.
Weeks before I got the decision over my regularization, I applied to random comms-related positions. Quite sure I'll get regularized naman based on feedback and accomplishments but idk, felt always having a backup option just in case is the way for security. I don't have back-ups din kasi, so I can't afford to have no job for a month or so.
Out of around 30 job applications, got a call from six, and was hired in one.
I rendered my resignation just over 2 weeks after I got regularized, and I am about to start my new journey now.
Days into, self-doubting is slowly creeping in, sabotaging the self-images I so fakely built during the interview😂.
Am reading everything there is about people management and on my new company.
Also, my current company and my new one are in different fields—telco and finance, respectively. Quite a shift and jump.
Can you give me real-life advice on how I can navigate my first days, weeks, or months in there?
Thanks!
Comment by BigBeard- at 02/02/2025 at 07:25 UTC*
26 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I was 26 when I had to lead a group of older (30s/40s), non-Filipino team members, with higher educational background than me (MA/PHD), in the headquarters of the region, outside the Philippines, guess what, I succeeded and I was even given multiple accolades and bonuses for leading that team. You can do it too.
There is no secret, you need to be the boss you want to have. It pays to be the smartest guy in the room but in my case, I was just logical and make sense when I speak which was my advantage.
Doesnt matter what the industry is, who the people are, it comes back down to the basics when it comes to people management - they are people too, just like you. Treat them with the same level of respect as you want to be treated, treat them as equals by listening to them but not being a push over, and tell them the truth on how things are when it comes to their performance, you will be treated like a demi-god, you may even be commended for being the best boss they ever had. I know it sounds simple but the thing is, leadership is not about what you know, what you can do, and your seniority, its about influence and how people see you to follow your direction. I never looked at those team members as anyone who is older than me, smarter than me, well educated than me, I looked at them as my partners who had the same goal as me, so its something that those people appreciated as I listened to their opinions, asked them tough questions, co-lead the direction where we were headed, and give them regular discussions how things are based on our progress. Worked well for me.
So, be the person who you want to lead you, let that be your north star and lead your team.
Forgot to mention, in your first few weeks, sit down with them and learn the whole process from them. In that first two weeks, have a one on one coffee/tea/lunch with them and have a team lunch. Do the one on one first and tell them something about you, what you like, who you are and ask them aswell who they are. This grounds things and makes you human and it also relaxes them then have that group lunch, it will be a breeze now you know what to talk about.
In your first month, get to know well what your objectives are and what are the objectives of the team, this will be critical, you only have this window to allow yourself to be pesky and annoying, after the first month, continue doing this is a nuisance for them and you will get underground talks about your incompetence, double time and double down on your first month, its a must. It will be hard and it will take your personal time but its a small price to pay than mending relationships and perceptions later on.
In your first month, have another one on one with all of them, ask them how things are with you and them and anything you need to adjust and prioritize both in the execution of the goal and how youre leading them, this will open up the convo of what you need to adjust and you will feel if they are hiding something from you. If they are hiding something, you are seen as an AHOLE and you need to manage this perception quick, else it will be a rough road ahead. You want to get the best from them and be your support not your worst enemy.
Comment by NinjaGalNikka at 02/02/2025 at 17:05 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Hey there, as someone who also got into the managerial role at a young age (23 as an associate producer and now running a small studio at 35), it just means that you have something that made people believe in your capacity to lead. Just do your best in investing your time to grow. Accept that you will be making mistakes but at the same time do your best to show up and be there for the team that you are managing. Your work is not just individually contributing but you are also accountable for people you are supervising so don't throw them under the bus, understand what they need support on and don't let your impostor syndrome drown out what you can do for your team. You can do it!
Comment by Witty_Hat1467 at 02/02/2025 at 21:41 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
This is just based on my experience.
Assess > Plan > Do > Adjust (repeat)
1st two weeks, just observe the team inform them that you won't hear much from you. Check their scorecards if available. Review the business process assigned to your team including their previous output.
Once you have a good grasp of your team's performance you can schedule a one on one touch base with each of them and ask their expectation, concerns, aspirations even their thoughts about the current situation (you being the younger person to lead them). Pay attention to their character, mindset and non verbals.
If the people you're going to lead is much better and more experienced than you, then your job is to help them shine more, focus on what they are good at and figure out what will make them stay longer in the organization and/or even help them achieve/communicate it with the higher ups their needs and expectations.
Always demonstrate punctuality, integrity, hard work, and be always available for them whenever they need you. Your job as a lead is to be their support and mentor. Align them with the business objective of the company while helping them achieve their expectations.
Master whatever business process is assigned to your team. More than anyone, it should be you who know the ins and out of your assigned line of business.
As you mature on your role, learn and master your organizations internal HR processes. (Payroll, progressive disciplinary process, code of conduct, resignation process, benefits etch).
You direct reports can easily smell if you're naive and easy to manipulate. Always be gentle and yet firm.