How to be a Manager – A step-by-step guide to leading a team

We’ve reached the end of the Formula, covering everything from culture to process. You now understand the basics of leading a new team.

Management and leadership are acquired skills, and they take practice. This guide is a framework for you to build upon, make your own and be the best manager.

... and this is how I think of my staff:

Some people might be incredible salesmen, while others can bake cookies or build a computer with their eyes closed (that would be super impressive!)

Fuck off.

Many managers are some of the least respected people in their company, and thus aren't effective leaders.

I disagree that lacking stated values creates a Wild West environment: if your office building doesn't allow dogs, then it's not a dog friendly environment even if someone brings their dog to work (i.e., bad or improper behavior will be rectified).

The example of a candidate or new hires is a good one. Having aspirational values feels like it could be misleading to the new or potential employee. What happens if they come in to an environment that has stated values of "radical transparency", but finds the realized values are "passive aggressiveness" and "backstabbing"?

I don't mean to come off so cynical, but I think as well intentioned as stated corporate values are, they can very quickly become traps or weapons. This is particularly true in silicon valley, where a growing number of people have figured out that hip values can be used to manipulate employees.

I've resigned over unrealistic expectations from leadership about deadlines, and what was to be asked of my team to complete said deadlines. I would do it again. I'm sure I've had many many many failings as a manager, but I will not death-march any team under me with zero chance of success. There are several others in the GP's post. You are correct, they don't all apply and many may be harmful in a corporate environment, but that's why you get paid to separate the wheat from the chaff, right? :)

however that process can break down either because there aren't very convincing arguments either way about A or B, or because someone is being unnecessarily stubborn. at that point its fair to step in and say 'we can't make progress until someone makes a decision, and since i'm in charge, thats me, and its going to be B'

if someone was being stubborn, then as a manger you have to work with them to either work supportively with them to get them to be more constructive, redefine their role so they don't get in other people's way, or if those don't work, tell them to fix it or find a new job.

if a manager is just to keep track of vacation time and have motivational retreats, they aren't providing very much value. as a technical leader if everyone feels free to completely ignore the direction you're trying set without even justifying why, it can be hard to get everyone moving in the same direction.

interested in counter positions