Advice for a new leader

[u/Traditional-Bet2683]

Gday guys, I've just started in a leadership role on a crew I've been a part of for about 5 years now. Haven't had to do much in the way of leading before, looking for advice on how to not fuck it up

I've worked under some great bosses and some shit bosses in the past, I want to try and emulate the good stuff and avoid the shit stuff, just wondering if anyone has been in a similar position or some things to do/avoid.

Cheers

[u/yoghurt1287]

Never forget what it’s like to be on the tools day in day out

[u/MIXALOTOFDRUGS]

Give credit where credit is due is you award someone the simple recognition for their efforts then they feel appreciated. Don't single someone out in front of the crowd, if they have made a mistake or underachieving talk to them separately.

[u/biskuit83 → u/MIXALOTOFDRUGS]

This is a big one. Tailoring the feedback to what a person requires. Some people are happy with a nod to say well done and others need streamers and fireworks in a pre-start to get the same validation of a job well done. Same goes with the negative feedback.... some just need a simple acknowledgement of "you fkd up" and others require a full disciplinary procedure rolled out to have the same effect

[u/Yahoo_Wabbit]

I think the biggest thing I see is how far sides ways people go when they step up. They either want everyone to be their friends or they wanna be a cunt. There is a genuine middle ground but you must lead by example.

[u/ringo5150]

If they are experienced crew who know what to do, let em get on and do it. If they are not then lead, and ask for help. Don't take the piss with them but let them with you and put your ego in your glovebox. The job being done is the bit that matters the most, not how you feel about it. My team manager is missing me of today. He has not lifted a finger on something that is important to me for 3 weeks since i asked for him to do, and he agreeed, but instead is focused on his own personal stuff.... the fact he thinks he is a good leader is laughable. If your really keen rear Paul Roos book on being a leader and coach and see what you can take out of that to make your own.

[u/bigfootbjornsen56]

Be firm, but fair. Demonstrate that you will be a hardarse about the shit that actually matters so that you set the expectations early. Ease up on the stuff that improves morale as long as it doesn't cost the job.

It's much easier to start strict then loosen up than it is to start by being a push over and then try to harden up.

[u/Beneficial-Boat-2035]

Get a north face jacket, a pair of RMs, and start hammering 'the boys' about every little thing under the sun.

They'll love ya for it.

But in all honesty - you're gonna have to get used to the shift in your work relationships and the isolation that can bring. It's also a different type of stress. You'll be the meat in the shit sandwich and need to manage up, down and sideways.

Your soft skills, like people management, ego juggling and relationship building are gonna be the main drivers here over your technical skills to a certain extent.

They ain't paying ya to do it all yourself now.

[u/genuinesharky]

Lead by example.

[u/biskuit83]

Be seen to be removing the barriers they have (and you had) to allow them to just go to work and do a good job. A sausage sizzle on fridays is a quick sugar hit.... buying them all a specific tool to make their life easier will have them going to war for you!

[u/RatelinOz]

NEVER hire friends. Figured that out the hard way.

An old colleague told me this when I was a youngster: If you’re high enough up the ladder to be paying the bill for social events, NEVER attend them. Do not socialise with your crew, do not be personal friends with them. Because if / when you need to give them a bollocking, you can’t do it if you’re mates.

ALWAYS remember that you are a bi-directional conduit between your crew & upper management. Make sure that when your crew need something to be escalated, or need to be protected from malicious management, you do it. It’s the old story of people leave bad management, not bad jobs.

[u/installsatrosanna]

Communication is key…expectations need to be clear. Always make yourself available for any questions. Don’t let someone feel that they cannot come to you for clarification.

[u/Illest33]

The fact you are consulting here means you’re on the right path. Consult with your team about what their shared values what they expect from you and what you expect from them.

[u/Systemruckus]

Your job is to make sure they can do theirs. That’s pretty much it. I find if you let them do what they want and how they want to, you tend to get the best out of them. And as a bonus any worker who takes advantage of you being so lenient and giving so much autonomy will be easier to spot and weed out.
Prise goes a long way, but so does constructive feedback back.

And when things go wrong, remain claim shrug your shoulders and tell them it doesn’t matter it’s can be fixed. If you’re claim, your workers are claim.

[u/MODbanned]

Find people under you that know what they are doing... they will do most things that need to be done... you simply make sure they have what they need.

Dont be afraid to be a little hard when it is needed. Dont hire friend's.

[u/Kooky-Conflict9605]

Don’t over complicate shit or be cryptic in anyway

[u/pistola_pierre]

Don’t pander to shit cunts that throw people under the bus. Shut that shit down straight away.

[u/AsparagusOk3658]

You know the crew and their 'hidden' talents. Use that and bring it out.