Mistake 2: No Plan = No Execution

Even for new managers, one key success is the ability to effectively adopt the basic elements of planning and execution. Managers must understand what is expected of them and their team, encapsulate that into a plan with the help and collaboration of their team, and then communicate the plan to the team, their leader, and other stakeholders. Planning and eventual execution involve translating the enterprise strategy into a workable, tactical way forward. Managers must decide the path to follow when given myriad options. They must identify the tasks needed to execute the plan and by whom they will be performed, how progress will be measured, and what contingencies should be considered when issues arise. Planning and execution are critically important to a manager’s reputation and ultimate success, yet too often, new managers assume that results will just happen, particularly when they take leadership over from an existing team that is already performing.

Managers who plan and execute well:

•      Articulate the link between the organizational mission and the team’s plans;

•      Engage their team in setting goals and developing strategies for accomplishing goals;

•      Identify the team’s top priorities—and apply resources to those first;

•      Deliver projects and results on time and within budgets;

•      Establish progress measures and monitor progress.

Teams are at the heart of the manager’s job. Whether a team is as small as three people or as many as dozens, the manager’s fundamental job is to deliver expected results for the team by leading, guiding, and directing team members toward success. This happens when managers engage their teams throughout the purpose and goal-setting process and hold regular performance check-in meetings with each employee. They ensure that each employee is recognized for the work they are doing well and that they are delivering on time and within quality standards. Effective managers encourage teamwork and create an environment where feedback is freely given and freely accepted. They recognize hard work and reward the team for work well done. 

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