It’s easy to think you’re ready to take on a managerial position because of the benefits, but ask yourself these questions to determine whether you’re truly ready for the responsibilities.
I’m sure I speak for plenty of us when I say that sometimes we are excited about positions because of the benefits they come with, without properly investigating the attached responsibilities. People often hear ‘managerial’ and think about added benefits such as a salary raise, longer leave days or paid leave and the title that’ll look good on the CV. However, taking on a higher-ranking position comes with as many responsibilities. Before you accept the offer, ask yourself these questions:
1. Are you willing and able to work longer hours without additional compensation for overtime? Granted, the position will come with a salary increase, but it also comes with longer working hours and, in some cases, means taking work home. Is this something you’re willing to do? If you have a family, is this something you’d be able to do?
2. Are you good at delegating work to other people? This is especially for the people who think that things can only be done right if done by themselves. The saying “teamwork makes the dream work” comes into play here. To ensure that work is completed in a timely fashion, it must be spread amongst the team. While you’re here, also consider whether you have a keen eye for detail. For the work to be done effectively, you might also need to identify each of your team members’ strengths and allow them to flourish.
If you’ve answered ‘no’ to any of these questions, perhaps a little more self-work is needed before you can consider assuming a managerial role.
Abenathi Gqomo
