They Used to Like Me and Now They Hate Me: Becoming a Manager
By: Michell Mor
Tags: Digital Marketing, Team Building, Communications Department, Management And Leadership, Human Resource Management

From one day to the other, you became the person you said you were never going to be and realized it’s not so easy to be in charge.

A manager speaking to her team

Digital Marketing and possibly a lot of other professions are very competitive. How many times have you heard a marketer giving a completely different opinion from another marketer regarding a business problem?

Now, imagine being the leader of a marketing or communications team with which you shared the same level inside an organizational chart? It’s definitely not a simple task and you need to be prepared both mentally and emotionally.

The first thing you’ll realize is that you will start having empathy for some of the bosses, leaders, managers you have had in the past, as it’s nearly impossible to have everyone happy most of the time.

You are now the person that needs to speak for them, to defend their work, to move their efforts towards an objective. At the same time, you are going to be criticized by them as they won’t be trusting some of your decisions, or they are going to have contrary opinions between themselves which will confuse you throughout your time as a manager.

Here are some situation you’ll encounter with tips to survive the ordeal:

They will talk about your performance. And if they have an intense personality, they will probably share the criticism directly to you. Learn to listen, you can actually use some of their points to your advantage to improve your work. If they are offensive because they became too emotional, just… let it go… let it go.

And if they have an intense personality, they will probably share the criticism directly to you. Learn to listen, you can actually use some of their points to your advantage to improve your work. If they are offensive because they became too emotional, just… let it go… let it go. You will be suddenly a Human Resources person for them. You also need to hear why they are feeling unhappy during certain times as they will think you have the power to change the business decisions. Yeah, you’re a guardian too, share what you consider to be something that can be changed with your boss, you already have the no, just learn what is a priority and what is not.

You also need to hear why they are feeling unhappy during certain times as they will think you have the power to change the business decisions. Yeah, you’re a guardian too, share what you consider to be something that can be changed with your boss, you already have the no, just learn what is a priority and what is not. A fight intermediary. Yeah, you’ll be the voice of reason whenever there are clashed with your team. You need to keep neutral and be a balance for them to reconcile.

Yeah, you’ll be the voice of reason whenever there are clashed with your team. You need to keep neutral and be a balance for them to reconcile. Team events are key. Maybe you used to be that employee that hated participating in this type of activities, but probably you’ve learned why they are necessary, and at the same time, why you should respect those team members that prefer not to participate.

Maybe you used to be that employee that hated participating in this type of activities, but probably you’ve learned why they are necessary, and at the same time, why you should respect those team members that prefer not to participate. Some of them will try to compete with you. This is one of the most challenging situations, but you need to trust your knowledge and work. Most of the time, managers are there for a reason. You’ve proven yourself worth it.

This is one of the most challenging situations, but you need to trust your knowledge and work. Most of the time, managers are there for a reason. You’ve proven yourself worth it. Uh oh, they have reached your boss. This is quite unlikely, but it can happen. Be neutral if you need to speak with your boss and you’ll be fine. Some team members just want to be listened to, remind them you are open to hearing their worries and thoughts.

This is quite unlikely, but it can happen. Be neutral if you need to speak with your boss and you’ll be fine. Some team members just want to be listened to, remind them you are open to hearing their worries and thoughts. When it’s time to say goodbye to a team member. Whether if it was your decision or someone above you tells you there is no more money to pay this specific person or whatever reason behind this decision. Don’t close your doors with the person concerned, let her/him/them know you are there for a recommendation letter or whatever opportunity that could occur in the future. Everyone is a valuable asset and people are the most important resource of any business.

Being an intern, junior, senior, manager, director is a challenge, everyone needs to be humble and learn to share knowledge because a team is always better than a single person. Trust your skills and you’ll be fine. If this is too much for your mental health there is no shame in speaking with a therapist or even a friend.

Finally, remember, you may find friends within a work or maybe just acquaintances that will form part of your team and it’s fine. It’s humane liking or not liking someone, just separate this from work and everything will flow.

A random music video to enjoy the randomness of human relationships to close the cycle of this text: