Tips For Handling Your First Week As The Boss

Just been promoted to manager? Just opened up a business as your own boss? Now’s your chance to shine in this senior position, and prove to yourself and your employees what you’re capable of! However, a lot of people can feel incredibly anxious about this transition, and worry they won’t excel as the boss they were meant to be. 

And if that sounds like something you’re dealing with right now, we’ve got some tips down below. Your first week as the boss doesn’t have to be perfect, but you can make sure it sets a positive tone for your entire tenure. 

Don’t Make Too Many Changes at Once

If you’re moving into a managerial position within an organization you already work for, this is key to being a good boss. You’ve never worked this position before, and you don’t quite know the team under you yet. Is this really a good time to make structural changes that might just upset everyone? No. Take your time, get used to working together, and then think about changing a few small things and see how everyone feels. 

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Familiarize Yourself with the Paperwork

The paperwork required to be the boss can seem to be endless! You’ve got to learn how to fill out a timesheet, as well as keep organized notes on employee job performance, and then keep it all neatly filed and digitized for referral to later. All in all, it’s a lot! 

But if you take a couple days just to get familiar with the paperwork, you’ll find it a lot less stressful to complete and put away. So, in that small window before you’re thrust into the world of management, make sure you know of the ropes and practice them – it’ll certainly boost your confidence. 

Set Up One on One Meetings

One on one meetings are the best for getting to know your team. If you held a big meeting where everyone was involved, you might just find a few people getting spoken over, or not having the confidence to volunteer their thoughts. 

But working one on one removes this obstacle, and allows you both to be open and frank in a private setting. This is where you can really prove your chops as a manager; find out who your employees are, what they’re good at, and establish that sense of working trust. 

Be Friendly and Approachable

Being friendly and approachable sounds easy, doesn’t it? But in reality, it’s a lot harder than you might think. After all, you may close your door and prevent people from coming in when they’ve got a problem, and you might not even think about that until hours later! 

Similarly, if you’re having a bad day, you may snap at your employees, or mark them down unfairly. It happens and it’s human! But it shouldn’t become a regular occurance when you’re the boss.

Your first week as the boss is going to be tricky. Everyone involved is adjusting; take your time!