How to Be an Effective Assistant Manager
An assistant manager is not only a student, but a trainer as well. As an assistant to the individual running the store, you must make yourself available to perform what tasks are asked of you. The main difficulty is doing this while maintaining a leadership role over the employees in your department. Working diligently in this in-between, or “tweener” role, will prepare you for becoming a store manager. You must change your mentality from employee to leader in this position.
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Instructions
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Build your leadership skills. The main difference from entry level to manager is you are now expected to have authority over your former peers while keeping their trust. Consider purchasing leadership training books (see the Resources section) or going to a leadership seminar.
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Keep yourself abreast of company policy. While an important step for all levels of a company's hierarchy, as a new entrant into the management sector of the company you will have little say in what policy is. This makes it all the more important to know exactly in what direction your company wants you to lead.
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3
Emulate your manager. Your manager has already risen to the level above you, so that gives him a history of success. Doing what she does will help in your meteoric rise to the top. Start by dressing the same way and move on to leading in similar ways and you will put your best foot forward toward becoming an effective assistant manager.
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Create and maintain a positive attitude. A positive attitude shapes everything you do in your job, and keeping it positive will keep those in your charge positive. A positive workforce is a productive workforce. Do not forget to keep an aura of professionalism at all times.
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Lead by example. As intimated in Step 3, your manager already does this. Produce as much work as you expect your subordinates to produce. Slacking off will give your employees a license to do the same.
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Maintain the respect of your subordinates. Attempting to lead without the respect of your employees is a venture destined to fail. Without respect for you they will not perform their duties as well when you are gone. “As a manager the important thing is not what happens when you are there, but what happens when you are not there,” said Ken Blanchard, an American author and business maven.
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Tips & Warnings
Always dress professionally. Appear well kept at all times. Do not wear wrinkled or dirty clothing to work.
If your manager does not resemble the best of the best, emulate your regional manager. Continue up the chain of command if necessary.
