Entry-level positions for aspiring Managers
Lauren, a gym owner who transitioned from staff member to manager, emphasizes the difficulty of establishing "friend versus manager" boundaries. The biggest lesson learned was the necessity of delivering both positive and negative feedback, even to close friends, while maintaining mutual respect to avoid larger problems later.
Leadership, Management, Interpersonal Communication, Conflict Resolution, Professional Boundaries
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Lauren Wright
Gym Owner
Tricks Sacramento LLC
Sacramento State University
N/A
Ethnic & Related Studies
Education, Sports & Fitness
Operations and Project Management
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Setting boundaries with staff and maintaining a professional relationship while also being friendly is crucial for managers. It's important to be able to give both positive and negative feedback respectfully.
2. It can be challenging to transition from a staff member to a manager, especially if you are friends with your colleagues. It is important to develop a professional relationship with staff while showing support.
3. Open communication and mutual respect are essential for success in management. Entering conversations with an open mind and willingness to listen can create a positive work environment and lead to success early on
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
This was a tough transition for me, going from staff member to manager. I'm speaking specifically to that experience, not so much manager to owner.
I think setting boundaries with staff was the hardest part. Developing that line between friend and manager was a challenge. As a staff member, I was friends with many people.
When I became a manager, it wasn't that I wasn't friends with them anymore, but there needs to be a line of professionalism and mutual respect. At the end of the day, you might have to reprimand a friend, and you have to be able to do that respectfully.
It's necessary and a part of the job. In the beginning, I was afraid to do it because they were my friends, so I tiptoed around things or avoided them. This ended up making things worse because I wasn't addressing the problems.
Then, when I finally did deal with an issue, it was much more complicated. Generally, even if someone wasn't a staff member becoming a manager, stepping into a manager role is equally hard if you haven't worked at that company before.
There's a perception that the new manager will be mean or that they're the "big bad manager." It's about finding that balance. You support your staff, you're there for them, and you have mutual respect.
But you also have to understand that you'll have to do the tough things, like giving feedback that isn't always positive. It's important to be mindful that this is just part of the job.
Enter conversations with an open mind, ready to listen, and with that mutual respect – it has to go both ways. I know I keep saying that, but it's crucial.
This approach can help you succeed early on in the role.
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