A line manager plays an important role in organisations in London. Hence, the need to ensure that you are well-equipped for the position before applying. This is not one of the roles you can handle with information from the Internet. You need in-depth training and knowledge to assume the role of a line manager in London.
Who is a Line Manager?
A line manager is responsible for the everyday management of employees within a particular area in an organisation. Line managers are often mistaken for upper management, and that’s not the case. They serve as a connection or bridge between the upper management and the employees. The employees report to the line manager, who then relates the reports to the upper management, and vice versa.
The role of a line manager includes monitoring and controlling job performance, providing direction and solutions, managing employee welfare, etc.
With the above description of a line manager, you can now understand the importance of the job and why a beginner must be well-equipped for the position.
7 Tips For a First-Time Line Manager
Tip #1 – Clear communication skills
One of the strongest skills a line manager should have is clear communication. New managers should ensure they can easily and clearly communicate with their team members. A team can barely succeed without proper communication.
Tip #2 – Know your team
As a first-time manager, your number one priority is to learn all you can about your team members. Learn about their strengths and weaknesses as individuals and as a team, qualifications, characters, and what drives them. This information will help you understand your team and build it. As a line manager, you can only control your team when you know them.
Tip #3 – Line manager training
Aside from having the required degree for becoming a manager in London, you also need proper training to enable a clear understanding of your job role. Thankfully, you can access standardised line manager training available across London. One of the benefits of line manager training in London is that you can access it online. You can access intensive line manager training courses online to increase your knowledge and skills.
Tip #4 – Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is a strongly required quality for a line manager. There is a thin line between empathy and sentiment. As a line manager, you need to avoid sentimentality and also know when to empathise with a team member. Your ability to handle a situation without unnecessary emotion makes you a qualified line manager.
Tip #5 – Mentorship
Despite your level of training and knowledge in line management, you need the support of a mentor or coach to help you make better decisions. Your mentor can be someone with more experience in the field or a teacher. This way, you can have a more practical view of what is required of you. Everyone needs support one way or another, and finding a mentor is one of the best ways forward.
Tip #6 – Conflict management skills
A line manager should be prepared to handle conflict at any given time. Conflict is bound to arise among team members, especially when there is diversity. An organisation is usually made up of employees with different genders, ages, cultures, and beliefs. This means that there’ll likely be issues amongst them sometimes. You have to be well-trained in managing workplace conflicts. This is one of the reasons why taking training courses is essential and why you need emotional intelligence.
Tip #7 – Get comfortable with power
If you are not comfortable with giving orders and controlling your team, the role of a line manager is not for you. The role of a manager comes with power, which is a necessary factor for managing people. Power in this context doesn’t involve becoming a dictator; rather, it refers to the ability to make decisions confidently and stand on your authority without hesitation. You can easily gain your team’s respect when they trust you to make good decisions. So, get comfortable with power.
Conclusion
A business or organization has several levels, including management and operations. As a line manager, you need to be able to handle both roles efficiently.
The general role of a manager is to supervise workplace activities and ensure that set goals are met. To do so, you must first understand the business’s management and operational aspects. This is why line manager training courses are important.
With the above tips for first-time line managers, you can handle your job effectively. Just ensure that you are dedicated to achieving success and always maintain a positive attitude.