City Skills

A new managers first challenge👇

You've just promoted one of your strongest employees into management.
They know the job inside out, but they're struggling to step back from doing the work themselves.

Their team is becoming dependent on them, and they're finding it difficult to make time for managing.

What would you do first?

A. Tell them to delegate more
B. Provide management training
C. Coach them through the transition
D. Give them time to adjust

There isn't necessarily one right answer.
What would you do? And why?

Huge Congratulations Michael Whittaker from Gousto who has successfully achieved their People Professional L5 Apprenticeship with a grade of Distinction. Everyone at City Skills are hugely proud of you and your achievement!

Huge Congratulations Carly Richardson from Cherwell District Council who has successfully achieved their People Professional L5 Apprenticeship with a grade of Merit. Everyone at City Skills are hugely proud of you and your achievement!

Fair doesn’t always mean identical.

MYTH: A good manager treats everyone the same.
vs
REALITY: Good managers adapt their approach to the individual.

One person might need more guidance. Another might thrive with greater autonomy. Someone else might benefit from more regular feedback, encouragement or development opportunities.

That isn't favouritism. It's understanding that people have different strengths, experiences and support needs.

As we explore in our blog: “True growth isn’t just about pushing the team towards a goal; it’s about tuning in to what each member needs to flourish.”

And that starts with listening.

Read our blog, Empowering Leadership Through Active Listening, to explore how listening can help managers better understand and support their teams. https://city-skills.com/empowering-leadership-through-active-listening/

Would you prefer a manager who gives you plenty of freedom to get on with your work, or one who provides clear direction and regular support?

🅰️ Complete autonomy
🅱️ Clear direction & support

There isn't necessarily a right answer.

Some people love having the freedom to make their own decisions. Others feel more confident when they know exactly what's expected and have someone to turn to when they need support.

That's why good management isn't about choosing one approach.

It's about understanding what helps each person do their best work and adapting your management style accordingly.

Which would bring out your best work? And why?

Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. - Henry David Thoreau

HOW DO YOU SUPPORT PROGRESSION WITHOUT CREATING A GAP?

One of your highest-performing employees is ready for their next step.

They have the skills, experience and potential to move into a new role, but their progression could leave a significant gap in their current team.

So, what would you do?

A- Promote them immediately
B- Delay the move until a replacement is ready
C- Create a phased transition
D- Take another approach

We're particularly interested in the idea of a phased transition.

Giving someone the opportunity to develop into their next role while also building capability within their existing team could help organisations support progression and maintain continuity.

But there's a bigger question:

If one person's progression creates a significant skills gap, is the problem really the promotion, or is it the capability around them?

What would you do?

&D

Huge Congratulations Andrea Lowe from London Borough of Merton who has successfully achieved their Coaching Professional L5 Apprenticeship with a grade of Pass. Everyone at City Skills are hugely proud of you and your achievement!

Huge Congratulations Zara Khan from Sir John Heron Primary School who has successfully achieved their Business Administrator L3 Apprenticeship with a grade of Pass. Everyone at City Skills are hugely proud of you and your achievement!

Huge Congratulations Kylie Summers from National Youth Advocacy Service who has successfully achieved their Business Administrator L3 Apprenticeship with a grade of Pass. Everyone at City Skills are hugely proud of you and your achievement!