As a new IT manager, do you find yourself hesitating to delegate tasks, worried that your team might not deliver up to your standards?
During my 30+ in the IT field, both as an individual contributor in my early career years and later as a leader and mentor, I’ve witnessed firsthand the enormous challenge that effective delegation poses, especially for new managers.
Many of us, when stepping into leadership roles for the first time, grapple with a profound lack of self-confidence and a limited understanding of our team's capabilities. This insecurity, coupled with the mistaken belief that we are the most qualified to handle every task, can hinder our growth as leaders.
We tend to cling to our comfort zones, viewing ourselves as individual contributors rather than facilitators of our team’s success.
In my experience, learning how to delegate effectively is one of the principal challenges every new manager faces.
Deciding whom to delegate to, what tasks to delegate, and when to delegate them can be daunting. Without trust in our team and the knowledge of how to step out of our comfort zones, we risk becoming inefficient leaders, unable to achieve results through our team.
"Without trust in our team and the knowledge of how to step out of our comfort zones, we risk becoming inefficient leaders, unable to achieve results through our team."
This struggle is not unique; it’s a common hurdle for many young IT managers. However, with the right guidance and mentorship from seasoned leaders, new managers can gain the confidence and insight needed to delegate effectively.
To illustrate these challenges and their solutions, let’s dive into the story of Emily, a young IT manager at EdAI, a tech startup revolutionizing K-12 education through personalized learning.
Emily’s journey illuminates the common fears and obstacles faced by new managers and provides a roadmap for overcoming them.
Let’s go.
