• Proper onboarding is vital for new managers, both first-time managers and seasoned ones.

In current business management models, companies tend to have high expectations for managers. These responsibilities can be daunting for any manager, but it can be especially challenging for new managers. Those who have never held a leadership position might struggle to find a balance between executing their individual duties and fulfilling their new management obligations, and experienced managers who are new to the company might need guidance to understand company culture and team dynamics.

For managers to be effective leaders and advocate for their teams, they need to:

• Understand their roles and how to navigate within the organization; and
• Be educated about the company’s culture, priorities, and goals.

Whether a manager is new to the company or newly promoted, employers should take the time to develop a manager onboarding process that includes:

• Communication about company history and goals. Beyond understanding the products or services offered by an organization, managers should recognize:
  • The overall direction and goals of the company,
  • The company’s philosophy and values, and
  • What was learned from past successes and failures.
• Discussion about department or team role in organization. New managers should learn about the day-to-day work that they are responsible for overseeing, but should also understand:
  • What role their team plays within the organization,
  • How the group contributes to the overall company goals,
  • Strengths and opportunities for the team, and
  • Challenges and areas that may need improvement.
• Help establishing good relationships with key people. One of the best ways to prevent departmental silos, and ensure that managers work together across departments, is to help them build bridges from the start. To help new managers meet and get to know other department managers, employers should schedule:
  • One-on-one meetings, and
  • Group lunches.
    • This bonding can lead to a more collaborative work environment.
• Guidance in understanding company culture. Pairing new managers with mentors can help new managers navigate the:
  • (Usually unspoken) cultural traditions and norms of the organization, such as:
    • Formal and informal power structures, and
  • Personal backgrounds of employees.
    • Learning about organizational culture early can help new managers avoid making a faux pas that could create setbacks in key working relationships, such as stepping on delicate egos.