Ask HN: What is your advice to a new manager? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: What is your advice to a new manager?

#11

Post by joshschreuder » Mon, Nov 18, 2019, 3:01 AM UTC

new_guy wrote: post #5

1, CYA it's sad that I have to say that, but yes, cover your ass, politics plays a big part in jobs and (good) managers generally shield you from the pressure so until you're in that position you've no idea how bad it can be 2, don't be too friendly with the people reporting to you, they won't take you seriously as a manager and will happily go over your head 3, encourage personal growth of your team and be there for…

I have heard managers described as a "shit umbrella" for their team, I'm pretty sure now that that's true, especially for good managers. Know when to keep your team out of things they don't need to worry about or be involved in and in general I think they'll be happier for it.

Re: Ask HN: What is your advice to a new manager?

#12

Post by hos234 » Mon, Nov 18, 2019, 3:06 AM UTC

mandeepj wrote: post #10

hos234 wrote: post #9

Part of your reading list must include books on Psychology to better understand individuals and Social Psychology to better understand groups.

any recommendations?

The Little Book of Psychology will give you the lay of the land. Then build up your library over time as you deal with specific issues.

The key is awareness of the important concepts of the field.

Most managers have very little awareness of the field. And under time and resource pressure, come up with their own half baked theories and solutions which seed further issues and compound misunderstanding.

Re: Ask HN: What is your advice to a new manager?

#13

Post by pramit » Mon, Nov 18, 2019, 4:09 AM UTC

Good advice from Tiny Skills / The Success Manual: Things A New, First-Time Manager Should Know To Succeed https://www.thesuccessmanual.in/chapter/things-a-new-first-t...

Re: Ask HN: What is your advice to a new manager?

#14

Post by allanmacgregor » Tue, Nov 19, 2019, 11:10 AM UTC

Be kind and lead by context. Is surprising how many managers think that their job is being the dictator in charge, and how often they treat their teams as children.

Your job as a manager is to remove blockers, provide context and make sure your team is working effectively.

Re: Ask HN: What is your advice to a new manager?

#15

Post by valand » Thu, Nov 21, 2019, 12:24 PM UTC

jhatemyjob wrote: post #7

Not a manager, but as someone who had a REALLY political manager who tried to undermine everyone around him, including (and especially) his subordinates, The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene taught me how to cover my ass and how to generally be effective in an org.

Nice book. Nice suggestion.