Balancing Authority and Approachability as a First-Time Manager

As the business world continues to evolve, the role of managers has become increasingly important. With the growth of remote work and the need for effective communication and collaboration, managers are now more essential than ever.

However, being a first-time manager at times can be a task with both a unique set of challenges as well as rewards. In this article we will discuss one of the biggest challenges that often participants in Leadership training programs share as their number one issue, finding the right balance between asserting authority and maintaining approachability.

Read further as we explore some tips and strategies for finding this balance and becoming a successful first-time manager. Whether you're leading a team in-person or remotely, these tips can help you establish yourself as an effective and simultaneously approachable leader.

Establish Authority without being Authoritarian

As a first-time manager, you'll need to establish your authority without being authoritarian. You want to aspire respect within the team in order for them to take your guidance seriously, but you don't want to come across as unapproachable or intimidating.

Here are 3 tips to ensure you establish your authority while still being approachable:

• Set clear expectations
One of the most important things you can do as a new manager is to set clear expectations for your team. This means being upfront about what you expect from them in terms of work quality, deadlines, and communication. When everyone is on the same page, it's much easier to hold people accountable and make sure things get done.

• Demonstrate consistency
Consistency is key when it comes to establishing your authority. You need to be consistent in your communication, your expectations, and your actions. If you're wishy-washy or inconsistent, your team won't know what to expect from you, and it will be difficult to establish your authority.

• Be confident
Confidence is another important trait for establishing your authority. You need to believe in yourself and your abilities as a manager. If you're confident in your decisions and your leadership, your team will be more likely to trust and respect you. Make sure that you know your topic, be prepared for meetings and radiate confidence.

Build Approachability without being a “Pushover”

Approachability is just as important as authority, especially when it comes to building relationships with your team. You want your team to feel comfortable coming to you with questions, concerns, and ideas and admitting mistakes.

At the same time, you don't want to be a pushover. Here are three tips to build approachability without necessarily sacrificing your authority:

Be open-minded
One of the best ways to build approachability is to be open-minded. Listen to your team's ideas and suggestions, and be willing to consider new approaches. When your team sees that you're receptive to their input, they'll be more likely to come to you with their ideas.
Be approachable
This might seem obvious, but it's important to be approachable! Smile, make eye contact, and be friendly when you interact with your team. If you're always closed off or unapproachable, your team will be hesitant to come to you with their concerns. Furthermore, being approachable helps to establish a culture of openness within your team.
Practice empathy
Empathy is another key ingredient for building approachability. Put yourself in your team's shoes and try to understand their perspective. When your team feels like you understand and care about their concerns, they'll be more likely to come to you with issues in a timely manner thus avoiding miscommunications and misunderstandings.

Finding the Balance

Balancing authority and approachability is the tricky part, but it's essential for success as a first-time manager. Practice these tips for finding that balance:

Be clear and consistent

As we've already discussed, being clear and consistent in your expectations, communication, and actions is essential for establishing your authority while still being approachable. When delegating tasks, be clear about your expectations, deadlines, and goals. Use concise language and avoid jargon or technical terms that your team may not understand.

For example, if you're assigning a project to a team member, explain what you expect from them and when you need it completed. If they have questions, encourage them to ask for clarification.

Take time to build relationships

Building strong relationships with your team is key to being both an authority figure and approachable. At the same time it is probably the task that requires the most time from both sides and you should be the one to take the first step! Take time to get to know your team members individually and find ways to connect with them on a personal level.

For example, you could ask your team members about their hobbies or interests, or/and share a little bit about your own life outside of work. This can help you find a common ground that can be valuable when you need to give feedback or address issues.

Be yourself

Finally, don't try to be someone you're not. You can be an effective manager and still be true to your personality and style. Your team will appreciate your authenticity, and it will be easier to find that balance between authority and approachability.

Being true to yourself can mean different things for different managers. Take some time to understand your personal leadership style and become agile depending on the situation or the issue at hand.

Get ready to Practice

Becoming a first-time manager can be challenging, but by balancing authority & approachability, you take the first step towards a successful journey. Nowadays managerial positions are probably the most crucial roles within any organization.

Therefore, it's also important for first-time managers to receive adequate training and support to develop their skills and abilities.

Finding the balance between authority and approachability can take time, but by being clear and consistent, taking time to build relationships, and being true to yourself, you can become a respected and approachable leader.

Remember to be yourself and find a leadership style that works for you, while still being open to feedback and continuous improvement. You are not on your own in this endeavor!

Join our community of First-Time Managers and discover necessary tools as well as a safe space for growth and knowledge sharing between like-minded and driven individuals.