Seven tips for success in a leadership role

Arm yourself with some valuable insight into how best to navigate your roll from the top 

Management and leadership roles are big career achievements, but responsibilities rise as you climb the ranks, and it doesn’t always make for a super smooth transition. Wondering how to be a successful manager? Be it a new role or not, the best way to avoid any easy mishaps is to equip yourself with as much vital knowledge to oversee the running of your team and the salon. 

Listen to your staff  
Your first duty as a manager should be getting to know your employees and putting their needs first. Perhaps you have known them for years if you already work together but despite this, becoming their manager can significantly change your relationship. Make a conscious effort to navigate the new dynamic between yourself and your team.

Impact International work to transform the performance of teams and build effective team working cultures. 
 
Never stop learning  
As a manager there is no doubt you have knowledge in what you do. However, you should never stop learning – about your business, industry, and competitors. Always remain open to absorbing new information and encourage your employees to do the same, push themselves and expand their skill set and knowledge. Not only is this an admirable management trait, but it will also benefit the development of the team. 

Learn how to prioritise  
The temptation may arise to attempt tackling everything at once to make the best impression on your superiors and employees, but the most invaluable piece of advice on this is don’t bother! Take the time to evaluate your situation; take a step back, a deep breath, and prioritise your tasks and responsibilities. You are not a superhero, and nobody expects you to be.  
Be mindful of the tasks that are ‘urgent’ and tasks that are ‘important’. If you benefit from visualising, make a list of your tasks in order of importance, and address them one by one – this could be a small, useful tool. Remember to delegate duties across your team where possible, trying to do everything yourself is going to burn yourself (and your employees) out, which is going to hinder your long-term progress. 
 
Be adaptable 
Unfortunately, management is not strictly a ‘one size fits all’ process, and a good, successful leader will be able to recognise that different people need different approaches. While your beliefs, values, and overall managerial style shouldn’t change from person to person, you should consider factors such as language barriers and age groups.  
For example, if a staff member doesn’t speak the best English, you should keep your vocabulary simple and speak clearly and slowly. In a similar way, salons often have various age groups working together so the best to approach for each team member can vary. Be mindful that the communications you have with one mightn’t always be received in the same way by another.  
 
Lead by example  
Keeping employee morale, productivity, and loyalty at a high level, you should be everything you expect your staff to be. Lead by example and watch how your new team flourishes. By demonstrating your own devotion, reliability, and hard work, you can translate the work ethic you want to instil in your salon and motivate everyone around you to be the best version of themselves in their workplace environment. 

Build (genuine) relationships   
Not only does building relationships with your team and clients drive better results for the business, but it also creates a more enjoyable working environment for everyone involved. To strengthen your relationships with those around you, you need to be genuine, make sure you’re listening instead of just hearing, and understanding as opposed to just responding.  
Arranging regular one-to-one interactions is just as important as team-building exercises and could help you achieve stronger relationships with everyone much quicker, and on a better level. These one-to-one interactions could look like informal catchups over coffee or structured meetings in your office. It is whatever works for your environment. 
 
Set realistic goals with clear plans  
French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said “a goal without a plan is just a wish.” 
As a new manager, you may have exciting ideas to improve the business and increase employee satisfaction, but how do you intend to bring these ideas to fruition?  
To be successful in your new role, you need to have a set of realistic goals with a clear plan on how you can work as a team to achieve each one. Doing this will ensure that you remain on track with meeting your objectives.  
Another important thing to bear in mind is not to be afraid to consult others before launching into a new process, your decisions as a manager impact the wider team, not just yourself. Getting opinions and assistance from your employees can make them feel like their opinion is valued and help strengthen your co-operative relationship with them. 

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