Shit happens... Options
Rikaelus
#1 Posted: : Sunday, March 10, 2013 10:29:26 PM
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... and then you get made a manager.

How the fuck did that happen?

For the first time in years they actually listen when I point out problems and suggest fixes and they make me a manager to fix them. A week on the new job and I haven't decided if this is a good thing or bad thing.

Razor
#2 Posted: : Tuesday, March 12, 2013 7:42:38 PM
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In November I became a manager too. At the end of the day I always feel inadequate for the position, but I keep telling myself that the powers above saw something in me that I did not see. You will do the same. Trust your instincts and those that are around you.
Rikaelus
#3 Posted: : Thursday, March 14, 2013 10:50:30 AM
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Razor wrote:
In November I became a manager too. At the end of the day I always feel inadequate for the position, but I keep telling myself that the powers above saw something in me that I did not see. You will do the same. Trust your instincts and those that are around you.


Well, this was kind of my idea. I just didn't expect them to actually go with it.

I have zero experience in typical management duties but have dabbled in things like project management, team leadership, etc. in the past, so it's not a huge leap. Still, my biggest justification was that after 9 years with the company I know the business and know the subject matter of the team's project. And the team lacked local management after a big restructuring. So it was basically:

a) Promote someone who knows the business and subject but is new to management, or
b) Hire someone new with management experience who doesn't know the business or subject

And I was also a cheaper option since I'm still doing what I did before, too. =P

Definitely not a conventional way of getting into the position, but I guess I was the choice that made sense.

tpractice
#4 Posted: : Thursday, March 14, 2013 7:47:39 PM
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Rikaelus wrote:

And I was also a cheaper option since I'm still doing what I did before, too. =P

Definitely not a conventional way of getting into the position, but I guess I was the choice that made sense.


This^^

I managed a team of engineers for about 10 years, it had it's ups and downs, lots of fun actually. Every management position is a little different, so no advice except for two things:
1.) You are probably trying to impress but don't try to do everything, at least not at once.
2.) Watch you health. Just walking a couple times a day around the building can do wonders. If you are not careful it will take it's toll.

Good Luck
Rikaelus
#5 Posted: : Friday, March 15, 2013 11:02:58 AM
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tpractice wrote:
This^^

I managed a team of engineers for about 10 years, it had it's ups and downs, lots of fun actually. Every management position is a little different, so no advice except for two things:
1.) You are probably trying to impress but don't try to do everything, at least not at once.
2.) Watch you health. Just walking a couple times a day around the building can do wonders. If you are not careful it will take it's toll.

Good Luck


Thanks. I'm going to need it.

My second day on the job we had the monthly sprint meeting with our COO and he basically chewed the project a new ass hole. The priority of this month has become something of a fight for survival; going back to the basics and building project and team charters, creating a month-by-month plan for the rest of the year, etc. The team knew where it was going but it hasn't had the same level of representation at high levels, so the execs just don't know it.

So in those terms I *have* to impress a little bit.

As for my health, yeah... I tend to get up and roam every now and then, whenever there's a lull in the workload. I just need to figure out when to get into the gym. The gym was easy when I use to telecommute... not so much now.

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