Are you ready to take the leap from skilled tradesperson to construction manager? It’s a natural career progression, but it can be fraught with challenges. Here are some active steps you can take to make your management transition run more smoothly.
Acquire New Leadership Skills
If you’re making the transition to management, you probably already have some decent leadership skills. But this is only the beginning. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn as much as you can from your boss. You should also look for a mentor who has been in management for some time. That person can help guide your journey into developing your own leadership style.
Understand the Top Managerial Responsibilities in Construction
A construction manager has a lot of responsibilities that skilled workers have no reason to think about. These include, but are not limited to:
- Overseeing budgets
- Ordering materials
- Setting schedules and meeting deadlines
- Quality control
- Staff management
Make sure you understand how each of these responsibilities works. Take the time to develop plans, and be sure to ask for help if needed.
Navigate the Cultural Shift
One of the trickiest parts of moving up to management is navigating your relationship with your coworkers. While they were once your peers, they now report to you. This can cause confusion and even jealousy. And you may have some trouble holding your team members accountable, especially those with whom you have been especially close.
This is normal and natural. Take advantage of your existing closeness with the team to foster a sense of inclusivity and a positive work culture. You’ll need to be careful not to let things slide, but your former peers will start to root for your success when they realize that you’re giving them a seat at the table. Be fair and evenhanded, and make your expectations clear, and you’ll be in a great position to keep things running smoothly.
Ready for a New Skilled Trade Position in the Great Lakes Region?
At Great Lakes Skilled Trades, we specialize in connecting professionals in the skilled trades with contractors who need their services throughout the Great Lakes region. If you’re a skilled trade worker looking for your next position, check out our available jobs today!
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