Six and a half years ago I started working at what was then known as FD Systems. I was employed as a Sage 200 support consultant; I previously worked for a managed services company so I had a couple of years IT experience under my belt. But, I’d not dealt with Sage products or the concept of book keeping before, it was a steep learning curve. However, it proved beneficial in the long term even if it was challenging at the time.
A few years in, I was promoted to Sage 200 support team leader which I was very humbled but excited to take up. I’d already learned so much from the team around me, so I jumped at the chance of taking on greater responsibility. Deep down, I’d always aspired to being a manager.
I started researching the art of management because after all; I was a leader now, a manager, carving the way for others, leading from the front and other management associated clichés. In my mind, I had to be the knight in shining armour, coming over the horizon to rally and lead the troops. Well, that’s the analogy. I wasn’t actually considering donning armour or riding a horse (I wouldn’t know where to buy either from anyway).
Three and a bit years later, I’m still running the team and (I’m told) I’m doing a good job. I’ve grown in confidence and learned loads and I owe that to the experiences and people that have surrounded me along the way. The support, training and good faith k3 has provided has not only allowed me to develop my skills but also widen my product knowledge as well.
Some key lessons I have learned:
You don’t always know the answer
I came into my current role thinking I needed to know all of the answers, all of the time. Being head of the team, I thought that was the bare minimum expected of me. Now, I realise that’s just not possible. I’m learning every day but thankfully I’ve built up great connections and have acquired a few tricks so I can find solutions quickly.
Embrace your team
I may not always be able to make team members behave or work in a specific way, after all, everyone is different. What I can do however is encourage the team to learn from one another and share best practice. Understanding the varying strengths and weaknesses in the team and adapting processes creates a better, stronger unit.
Let the unexpected happen
As a manager, some things are out of my control. Such as half the team being stuck in traffic or someone off sick whilst others are training. These things genuinely happen. What I can do however is plan around the unexpected the best I can.
Take a step back
It’s very easy to get tunnel vision and lose sight of the bigger picture. Take a break, have a coffee, even a Kit Kat. I find, taking a step back and reassessing (for example) workload, can uncover a better way of achieving goals.
Keep learning
As long as time goes on then there will be new scenarios that I will encounter and new skills I have to acquire. It’s a forever learning experience. I can’t learn everything overnight. It takes years of training and perfecting to build up invaluable experience.
Final thought
My learning experience can simply be summarised by being ready to absorb as much as I can and have the motivation to keep pushing myself. I have the added benefit of working within a successful company with amazing people which makes the experience even more enjoyable and rewarding.
By Lucas Mazarakis
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