Before even considering someone for promotion it is recommended that you
first know the reasons NOT to promote someone. These include; because they
work hard, they need the money, you like them because they are like you or
you want to stop them leaving!
In this article we look at promoting someone to become a supervisor or
manager and give some suggestions for helping you decide whether they are
ready.
They have shown an aptitude for the role
Although this seems obvious, too many people have been promoted to such a
position because they good at the job they were doing. Just because they
were an expert in their field doesn’t automatically mean they have the
skills to manage a group of people.
Step back and observe how they treat people as well as reaching the
objectives. Have they demonstrated an interest in helping colleagues get
things done? Do they take the lead in projects sometimes and did they
inspire people?
Many teams have ‘mini’ leaders who people tend to follow even though
they don’t hold the title. This may be a good indicator that they already
have the aptitude.
Arrange an opportunity to cover for you so you can test their skills
Rather than wait for them to show what they can do, proactively create an
opportunity where they can cover you for a period or on a specific project.
Before setting this up, discuss with them what you need them to do and what
you expect. Tell them that this is an opportunity to take responsibility
and display their management potential without promising anything at this
stage. You might also tell them that you will be asking for feedback from
the team.
In companies where they have already identified potential managers for the
future, there might be the budget to give them management skills BEFORE
promotion. In most situations it happens after promotion and the new
manager is thrown in the deep end learning by trial and error. Once they
have attended the training give them an immediate opportunity to practice
what they have learned.
Involve them in management decisions
One of the best ways to check whether they are ready is to involve them in
management decisions. Ask for their opinions and to explain why and how
they made that decision. Get them to think about the staff members it
involves and how they would make sure the person was motivated to carry out
the task. This will start them thinking more strategically and like a
manager. If it isn’t dangerous, you might be prepared to go with their
decision even though you don’t agree. There is a strong case for people
learning from their mistakes and at least you have the authority to rescue
it. This is not setting them up to fail; it is just getting them to see the
implications of their actions and the decisions they make. Always have a
plan to save them and protect the business or without humiliating them.
They show pro-activity in moving up to the next level
Some people take their career very seriously and may even look for ways to
develop their skills outside of the business. This might be through
voluntary roles or through organisations such as the Territorial Army.
Others may enrol for supervisory or management courses themselves and
actively seek advice on the skills they need to develop. If you have a
human resources consultant you might enrol their help in looking at the
competences required for other positions in the business. Just because they
are looking for promotion doesn’t mean it has to be in your department.
Sometimes it is easier to manage a new team than manage people you used to
work alongside. Obviously you will need to find a way to check their
competence.
In summary, avoid all the usual mistakes that some managers make when
deciding whether to promote. Use objective evidence and see whether they
demonstrate ‘management’ competences rather than just being good at
what they already do. Create real opportunities and observe them in action.
If they prove they have they potential then it might be time to give them
that chance. Good luck!
To your success!
Sean McPheat
first know the reasons NOT to promote someone. These include; because they
work hard, they need the money, you like them because they are like you or
you want to stop them leaving!
In this article we look at promoting someone to become a supervisor or
manager and give some suggestions for helping you decide whether they are
ready.
They have shown an aptitude for the role
Although this seems obvious, too many people have been promoted to such a
position because they good at the job they were doing. Just because they
were an expert in their field doesn’t automatically mean they have the
skills to manage a group of people.
Step back and observe how they treat people as well as reaching the
objectives. Have they demonstrated an interest in helping colleagues get
things done? Do they take the lead in projects sometimes and did they
inspire people?
Many teams have ‘mini’ leaders who people tend to follow even though
they don’t hold the title. This may be a good indicator that they already
have the aptitude.
Arrange an opportunity to cover for you so you can test their skills
Rather than wait for them to show what they can do, proactively create an
opportunity where they can cover you for a period or on a specific project.
Before setting this up, discuss with them what you need them to do and what
you expect. Tell them that this is an opportunity to take responsibility
and display their management potential without promising anything at this
stage. You might also tell them that you will be asking for feedback from
the team.
In companies where they have already identified potential managers for the
future, there might be the budget to give them management skills BEFORE
promotion. In most situations it happens after promotion and the new
manager is thrown in the deep end learning by trial and error. Once they
have attended the training give them an immediate opportunity to practice
what they have learned.
Involve them in management decisions
One of the best ways to check whether they are ready is to involve them in
management decisions. Ask for their opinions and to explain why and how
they made that decision. Get them to think about the staff members it
involves and how they would make sure the person was motivated to carry out
the task. This will start them thinking more strategically and like a
manager. If it isn’t dangerous, you might be prepared to go with their
decision even though you don’t agree. There is a strong case for people
learning from their mistakes and at least you have the authority to rescue
it. This is not setting them up to fail; it is just getting them to see the
implications of their actions and the decisions they make. Always have a
plan to save them and protect the business or without humiliating them.
They show pro-activity in moving up to the next level
Some people take their career very seriously and may even look for ways to
develop their skills outside of the business. This might be through
voluntary roles or through organisations such as the Territorial Army.
Others may enrol for supervisory or management courses themselves and
actively seek advice on the skills they need to develop. If you have a
human resources consultant you might enrol their help in looking at the
competences required for other positions in the business. Just because they
are looking for promotion doesn’t mean it has to be in your department.
Sometimes it is easier to manage a new team than manage people you used to
work alongside. Obviously you will need to find a way to check their
competence.
In summary, avoid all the usual mistakes that some managers make when
deciding whether to promote. Use objective evidence and see whether they
demonstrate ‘management’ competences rather than just being good at
what they already do. Create real opportunities and observe them in action.
If they prove they have they potential then it might be time to give them
that chance. Good luck!
To your success!
Sean McPheat
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