Is Management The Right Track For You?

As the corporate world becomes more competitive, you’ve probably thought of breaking away from the plethora of individual contributors to pursue the management track.

After all, if you’re looking to move up in today’s business landscape, it's important to put yourself on the right path. For many people, that means pursuing a management position.

But is management right for you? Only you can answer this question. The earlier you ask it, the better your chances are of avoiding landing the wrong job.

There's a lot to consider before making the leap into management. It's not all about being able to bark orders and get people to do your bidding. Being a successful manager requires a WHOLE different set of skills. This includes the ability to motivate people, delegate tasks, and handle conflict. Which are easier said than done.

Possessing these skills will put you on a better path towards Career Success. So how do you know if it's the right choice for you? Keep reading to find out.

What is the Management Track?

With broad strokes, it's the path most people take if they're looking to move up in their company into people management.

This usually starts with an entry-level job or an internship. From there, you'll work your way up through the ranks. These paths vary from company to company. They typically involve taking on extra responsibilities within your current role. These may include leading projects or people.

There may also be formal management training to complete before a promotion. Some companies have rotational programs that expose you to different areas of the business. Those help you develop a well-rounded skill set.

What Skills Can You Learn along the way?

The path toward a manager position will help you develop all these skills and more. You'll encounter different situations requiring you to use a different skill set. By gaining experience in all these areas, you'll be better prepared to take on a management role.

Leadership

As a manager, you'll need to motivate and inspire your team to achieve common goals. You'll also need to be able to delegate tasks, provide feedback, and handle conflict. Think of the good managers you've had in your career. Were they good leaders?

Interpersonal

To be a successful manager, you'll need to build a strong relationship with your team. This includes being able to resolve conflicts that range from professional to personal.

You also need emotional intelligence to understand and empathize with your team's needs. Learn more about why empathy is a critical skill for leaders and managers to possess in today's job market.

NEED HELP? Uvaro's Coaching Tactics Workshop is the place to start!

Problem-solving

As a manager, you'll need to be able to identify and solve problems quickly. This includes thinking outside the box. Find solutions that work for your team and meet company goals. Again, easier said than done.

Not sure how to solve the problem on your own? Lean on your community. Finding mentors, peers, and even co-workers who can give you honest feedback goes a long way when trying to solve problems in the workplace.

Data Analysis

You'll need to be able to analyze data and make decisions that will benefit your team. Being analytical includes identifying trends, developing strategies, and allocating resources.

Not huge on data? We're right there with you! While data might not be everyone's thing, knowing how data impacts your team and can help improve their performance should be competency as a manager.

NEED HELP? Uvaro's Forecasting Systems Workshop is a great place to start!

Budget Management

You'll need to be able to develop and manage budgets for your team or department. A managerial role requires strong financial skills. You need the ability to stay within budget constraints.

Find yourself overspending in a quarter? Time to break out those problem-solving skills mentioned above.

Time Management

A big part of being a manager is ensuring that your team is productive and efficient. This means being able to manage your own time as well as the time of your team members.

Communication

As a manager, you'll need to be able to communicate with your team and other stakeholders. This includes giving clear instructions, providing feedback, and delivering presentations.

Without clear communication, there can't be clear direction. And without clear direction, team members will find themselves getting lost in the weeds of their tasks.

NEED HELP? Uvaro's Communication Foundation Workshop is just the thing for you!

How Can the Management Track Benefit Your Career?

Opportunities for Advancement

The management track is often seen as the most direct route to a successful career. This is because it provides opportunities for advancement and promotion.

You'll be able to move up the ladder. You'll also have the opportunity to take on more responsibility.

Increased Earnings Potential

Management positions often come with a higher salary than other positions. These positions have a reputation as being more demanding and requiring more experience. As you advance in your career, you can expect a significant increase in earning potential.

Greater Job Satisfaction

Management positions often offer greater job satisfaction than other positions. You'll have the opportunity to make a difference in your team's success. You'll also be able to see the direct results of your work.

This isn't to say that you can't have AMAZING job satisfaction while working in an individual contributor role. It's all about what makes YOU feel fulfilled!

Increased Responsibility

As a manager, you'll have more responsibility than you would in other roles. This can be a great way to boost your resume. Use this opportunity to show potential employers that you can handle more responsibility.

While this is seen as a positive by many on their way into the management position. We must also note this is one of the reasons why many do exit the management track.

Opportunity to Develop Key Skills

As a manager, you'll develop essential skills that can benefit you in other areas of your career. These include leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and communication skills. These skills will set you apart from other candidates when applying for jobs.

What to change careers later in life? Having management experience is a huge boost when applying for new roles.

How Do You Know If the Management Track Is Right for You?

Do you have the skills you need?

As a manager, there are several skills you need to be successful before stepping into the role.

• Can you give clear instructions?
• Do you know how to provide feedback in a way that is constructive and helpful?

You should also be able to listen to your team members and understand their concerns. If you're not a good communicator, management may not be the right track for you.

You'll also need to be able to assign tasks to your team members and trust that they'll be able to complete them. Delegating tasks can be difficult for some people, as it requires letting go of control. If you're not comfortable with delegating, management may not be right for you either.

To be a successful manager, you'll also need to have strong leadership skills. This includes being able to motivate and inspire your team to do their best work. You should also be able to provide support and guidance when needed.

Are you ready for more responsibility?

These responsibilities may include leading a team, making important decisions, and setting goals. If you're ready to take on more duties and have the desire to lead others, then management may be right for you.

As a manager, you're accountable for the success or failure of your team. This means that if your team fails to meet its goals, it will reflect on you. Before upper management blames your entire team, they'll point at you. You're the leader.

Being accountable for other people's failures can be a lot of pressure. It's not something that everyone can handle. Only pursue a management track if you're ready to handle this type of responsibility.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a manager is seeing your team members grow and develop. You should be willing to invest time into helping your team reach their full potential. This may be in the form of coaching and mentoring.

Start Your Journey: Uvaro Can Help

Any manager role is a great choice if you're looking for more responsibility. One of the best ways to set yourself up for success and have a fulfilling career is to learn and improve your skills.

Are you looking to take the next step in your career by becoming a Sales Manager? If you are, join Uvaro and download our Career Success Catalog. Learn about the Courses and Workshops that can make your management dream a reality.