The manager’s dilemma.
Recently I was having coffee with a friend who works at a well-established management consulting company near my house. He was telling me about a very uncomfortable conversation he had had earlier in the day that called into question one of his employee’s ethics. He thought he might have to fire this person. He turned to me and said, “You know, I have no idea what to do. I’m in way over my head.”
I hear this all the time.
As a manager, you have more visibility, authority, autonomy and a bigger paycheck.
But sometimes it feels like you’ve basically added a second job that equals more scrutiny, more pressure, and, on top of that, accountability for other people.
Have they made a mistake by putting trust in your too-green self? Will you be found out?
Here’s what I think:
Being in over your head is a good thing.
As soon as you get the feeling like you have no idea what you’re doing, sit up and take notice. These are the times you stretch and grow as a leader.
Instead of closing your office door and retreating, or hiding behind email, can you engage?
Who can you reach out to? Who do you know that can point the way out?
Can you use this opportunity to strengthen important relationships?
If you’re losing control of your team, how can you circle the wagons? Is there a lesson to be learned together?
Remember, you’re not the only one who feels in over your head.
As Todd Henry, the founder of Accidental Creative, says, “Everyone–no matter how successful and accomplished they are, or how big a front they put up– is making it up as they go, at least a little.”
How can you turn the feeling of being in over your head into useful energy?
