I started as a Manager in 2003 when I was 29 years old. I was headhunted by KIA Malaysia and after several interviews, I was appointed as the Head of Marketing for KIA Malaysia and the rest is history.
Kia Corporation, commonly known as Kia (Korean: 기아; Hanja: 起亞; RR: Gia; MR: Kia, IPA: [ki.a]; formerly known as Kyungsung Precision Industry and Kia Motors Corporation), is a South Korean multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. It is South Korea’s second largest automobile manufacturer, after its parent company, Hyundai Motor Company, with sales of over 2.8 million vehicles in 2019. As of 2015, the Kia Corporation is minority owned by Hyundai, which holds a 33.88% stake valued at just over US$6 billion. Kia in turn is a minority owner of more than twenty Hyundai subsidiaries ranging from 4.9% up to 45.37%, totaling more than US$8.3 billion.
I was the youngest Manager in the company then and I learned lessons from books, friends, seniors and everyone I know. Here are some pointers for you.
Starting as a leader to new managers can be an exciting but challenging task. Here are some tips to help you get started:
i. Establish clear expectations: As a leader, it is important to establish clear expectations for new managers, such as their roles, responsibilities, and goals. This can help them understand their job requirements and how their work contributes to the organization’s overall success.
ii. Provide guidance and support: New managers may need guidance and support as they transition into their new roles. Be available to answer questions, provide feedback, and offer resources and tools that can help them succeed.
iii. Encourage open communication: Encourage new managers to communicate openly and honestly with you, their teams, and other stakeholders. This can help build trust, identify issues early on, and foster a culture of transparency and collaboration.
iv. Foster a culture of learning: Encourage new managers to continuously learn and grow in their roles. Provide opportunities for training, development, and mentorship, and encourage them to seek feedback and identify areas for improvement.
v. Celebrate successes and learn from failures: Celebrate the successes of new managers and their teams, and use failures as opportunities for learning and growth. This can help build resilience and a growth mindset, and encourage a culture of continuous improvement.
As a new manager, here are some suggestions on how to be a good leader:
- Lead by example: As a leader, your behavior sets the tone for your team. Demonstrate the values, work ethic, and behaviors that you expect from your team members.
- Communicate effectively: Effective communication is key to successful leadership. Be clear, concise, and transparent in your communication, and actively listen to your team members.
- Build relationships: Building relationships with your team members is important for fostering trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. Get to know your team members, show interest in their personal and professional development, and provide opportunities for growth.
- Empower your team: Empowering your team to take ownership of their work, make decisions, and solve problems can improve morale, motivation, and performance. Provide the necessary resources, support, and guidance, but also trust your team to do their jobs.
- Set goals and expectations: Set clear and challenging goals for your team, and communicate your expectations for their work. This can help them understand what they need to achieve and how their work contributes to the organization’s overall success.
- Provide feedback and recognition: Provide regular feedback to your team members, both positive and constructive, to help them improve their performance. Recognize and reward good work, and provide opportunities for growth and development.
- Continuously learn and grow: As a leader, you should continuously learn and grow, both personally and professionally. Seek feedback, attend training and development programs, and stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.
In summary, leading by example, communicating effectively, building relationships, empowering your team, setting goals and expectations, providing feedback and recognition, and continuously learning and growing can help you be a good leader as a new manager. By doing so, you can help your team succeed and contribute to the overall success of your organisation. Before I rest my case, I’d like to share some books that you may want to read.
Here are some books for you:
- “The First 90 Days” by Michael D. Watkins: This book offers a practical guide for new managers to navigate their first few months in a new role, including how to build relationships, diagnose organizational problems, and create a plan for success.
- “Crucial Conversations” by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler: Effective communication is key to successful leadership, and this book provides a framework for handling tough conversations with tact and skill.
- “The One Minute Manager” by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson: This book offers a simple yet powerful approach to managing people, focusing on setting goals, praising progress, and redirecting behavior when necessary.
- “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey: This classic book offers a framework for personal and professional success, including habits such as being proactive, seeking first to understand, and thinking win-win.
- “Good to Great” by Jim Collins: This book analyzes what sets truly great companies apart from their competitors and offers insights into how to build a successful organization over the long term.
- “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek: This book explores the idea that great leaders prioritize the well-being of their team members, and offers strategies for creating a culture of trust, collaboration, and shared success.
- “Drive” by Daniel H. Pink: This book explores what motivates people to do their best work, and offers insights into how to create a work environment that fosters motivation, engagement, and performance.
These books can provide valuable insights and guidance for new managers as they navigate their roles and develop their leadership skills.
All the best in your new journey.
