Written by: Dimitris Papadimitriou
Original LinkedIn Post

From Mistakes to Growth: A Tale for First-Time Managers

As a first time manager back in 2008 I made, I have to admit, many mistakes with my first team. Those mistakes were the reason that prompted me to train and focus on my people management skills.

The hard part, when you are young and make mistakes, is none other than admitting them. Because even though the mistake is human, the grief and defense it brings can be counterproductive!

I soon realized that admitting mistakes can be challenging, but it's an essential skill you absolutely must master. Transparency and accountability for our actions demonstrates integrity, quality, builds trust with our team and our manager, and shows that we are willing to learn and grow as leaders.

It is very often that I recall these days as a new manager during our First-Time Managers training programs at Business Pathways as I share my own experiences with participants. So what did I learn from my experience in the banking industry where I worked during the first 16 years of my career?

Come along as I share my journey to growth as a manager.

Owning Your Mistakes: How Transparency Can Help You Succeed

Let's have a look at 3 ways to own up to your mistakes:

• Be Honest and Promote Transparency

When you make a mistake, don't try to cover it up or shift the blame onto someone else. Besides, sooner or later the truth will come out!

Instead, be honest with your team about what happened, why it happened, and what you plan to do to address it. This helps build trust and respect with the team.

• Focus on Solutions

When admitting mistakes, it's important to focus on finding solutions to the problem. Instead of dwelling on the mistake, work with your team to come up with a plan to avoid similar mistakes in the future.

This shows that you are committed to learning from your mistakes and improving as a manager. And so you set a good example as the role model manager that you are. This advice also applies if a member of your team makes a mistake.

• Learn from Mistakes

The mistake was made and it cost, leave it behind but first gain something from it. Take the time to analyze it. Think about what caused the mistake and what you can do differently next time to prevent it from happening again.

Use experience as an opportunity to grow and develop as a leader, and share the lessons with your team so they can learn from your mistakes while simultaneously perceiving you as the open and honest leader you are.

View Mistakes as Opportunities

Admitting mistakes is not always easy, but it's a key skill that can make you a successful first-time manager and build stronger teams. By being honest, focusing on solutions, and learning from your mistakes, you can demonstrate integrity, build trust, and set a good example for your team.

Remember that mistakes are part of the learning process, and admitting mistakes is the first step towards growth and development as a leader.

For more tips and insights on navigating through this journey as a First-Time Manager join our community and check out our First-Time Manager training programs at Business Pathways.