A move that takes you out of your comfort zone, out of a familiar job, and into a challenging new role can be difficult to handle. Change is unsettling for most people, and even welcome change usually requires a period of adjustment. The transition to a management role, even when it has been eagerly anticipated, can involve a roller coaster of emotions.
J. Adams said in his book Seven Stages of Transition that: "It is recognized that any change in a person's routine, planned or unexpected, will provoke a standard sequence of emotions."
Understanding the transition process and knowing that you are not alone in experiencing these emotions, will help you to deal with each stage more effectively. To find out some more about how you might be feeling at each stage in the transition process, consider the stages listed below:
Immobilization – It is the new role that you wanted, but you are not quite sure what to make of it.
Minimization – You may try to carry on as though nothing has changed, because this seems to be the easiest route. You might be tempted to choose a lot of your old tasks and ignore the management elements of your new role.
Depression – You may feel a sense of panic, anger, or depression as a result of your own high expectations, and the pressure that you feel to perform well.
Acceptance – This is real progress. At this stage, you begin to realize that you can do the job, and that, in fact, you have already begun to make a difference.
Testing – At this point, you will feel free to do the job your own way and confident enough to try out new ideas.
Seeking Meaning – For the first time, you give yourself the chance to reflect on what you have learned so far about yourself and about others around you.
Internalizing – Now you identify yourself with the job more readily. You are no longer inexperienced, but instead, comfortable in your position as manager.
If you have already been promoted to a management role, you might want to identify which stage you have reached. Each stage in the transition process provides you with a new learning experience. These experiences will also help you to support your own team's development more effectively in the future.
As a manager, you will want to have some control over your own development. It is helpful, therefore, to consider what you can do to deal with the difficulties of, and capitalize on the strengths of, each transition stage.
The actions that you can take are as follows:
Immobilization – You may feel that there is so much to do that you end up doing nothing. You can feel very isolated at this point, and it is wise to seek some support. Talk to your manager or mentor about how you feel, and try to identify some clear objectives.
Minimization – Be wary; this can be a difficult stage. It may be tempting, but you cannot pretend that things have not changed. Your staff members need clear leadership from you, not direct interference in their work.
Depression – At this stage, you need to remind yourself of your past successes. Break the current challenges that you face down into manageable tasks. Make sure that your objectives are achievable, and reward yourself when any task is completed.
Acceptance – Make the most of your positive feelings during this period. Now may be the time to tackle some of the more difficult tasks.
Testing – Having the confidence to express your own views represents significant progress, and is a positive step. Make sure, however, that you retain a healthy balance, and avoid being aggressive. Be assertive instead.
Seeking Meaning – Allow yourself adequate time to reflect on what has happened to you, on what you have learned, and on how many of your attitudes may have changed.
Internalizing – Congratulations! You have reached your goal, and are no longer surprised when you are introduced as a manager. Remember to use your experience of the early stages of the transition process to understand others who are facing some kind of major change.
Do not be concerned that the emotions associated with some of the stages are negative. Dealing with these stages successfully will improve your management skills. You cannot expect everything to change overnight. You will take some time to adjust to your new managerial role, but this is natural.
As the transition process demonstrates, you will pass through clear stages on the way. Understanding these stages, and how you might feel, will help you to handle this important progression in your career more successfully.