struggling with new role

LegacyUser

Hi all,
Started a new role in a management position in January and I've found it really hard.
I've spent the last two years in a place which was quite relaxed, and went to a new company for this role. I'm finding that my team are very negative about a lot of changes that happened prior to me arriving which is leading to an atmosphere which is draining.

I also feel that I myself am struggling. As a new manager, I feel that they are all looking at me to come up with new solutions to problems. I am not an innovative person and by nature tend to do things the way they should be done, so I'm finding that hard.
I just really don't know how I can improve and feel very down about the role.
Can you learn to be more innovative?

Bradley in Texas

You CAN learn but it's habit you need to get into. Try thinking outside the box for solutions. Have a brainstorming session with the staff if you have work place problems. Sometimes your staff can come up with some good ideas. It doesn't mean you adopt all their ideas but it's worth a try. It also makes them feel empowered, like they have some skin in the game.
Ask some of your peer managers if they may have some solutions for these issues. What about shifting staff around to do other work in the office? Changing the schedule when you do some things at work? Can you ask for overtime to pay the staff to work longer hours?
You need to establish a positive work atmosphere. You're correct, the staff IS looking at you for guidance and ideas. Always be positive and explain how your staff will accomplish things and don't be afraid to pitch in and help when needed. Praise your staff as a whole and individually when they've done something good or positive.
Always be on the look out for ideas that may make your staff's work easier or not so difficult. Food usually helps and the staff usually appreciate it.
There are all kinds of books out there to help you be a more innovative leader. Try those. Hope this helps.

Mr. Incognito

When someone comes to you with a problem then you ask them to design a step by step fix and you circulate this to the team and assist only if required on a technical issue.

tend to do things the way they should be done

You are not there to reinvent the wheel but for them to be able to describe it.

I have found this makes people feel their contribution is being recognised, gives them "ownership" of the fix and they are likely to be the go to person for that problem in the future which dilutes your responsibility.

If they are coming to you to do their work for them you are not managing them effectively

You dont need to be innovative- just organised and getting used to delegating

jimmycrackcorm

Struggling at work wrote:

I also feel that I myself am struggling. As a new manager, I feel that they are all looking at me to come up with new solutions to problems. I am not an innovative person and by nature tend to do things the way they should be done, so I'm finding that hard. I just really don't know how I can improve and feel very down about the role. Can you learn to be more innovative?

I was the same as you when I first became a proper manager. Its a skill to be learned. But the best approach in found is to actually empower your team to actually make the decisions for changes themselves.

Being a manager is not the same as being a dictator. Instead of you deciding on what should change, get your team regularly together and being up roca that need to be addressed then ask your team to come up with ideas to discuss and choose how to change.