If you’ve been promoted to a managerial position, you’re probably feeling really excited. But don’t worry if you also feel slightly apprehensive - it’s perfectly natural to have some first day nerves.

Here are some key tips to get you off to a great start:

Do your research

• Try and get as much information as you possibly can about the organisation before you start - its culture and ethos, catchment area, policies, results, etc.
• It is vital to have an understanding of this if you are new to a school, college or university.
• Even if you are moving to a new position within the same establishment, it can be really useful to refresh your memory. You may even find that information you once took for granted will look different from your new managerial perspective!

Get to know your staff
Management is the art of making people more effective than they would have been without you. But how can you do this if you don’t take the time to get to know them?

A great tip for your first day is to have an introductory meeting with your team. It needn’t be too long or formal, just use it as an opportunity to listen and learn. It’s amazing what you can learn about the dynamics of a team in a relatively short space of time.

Follow this meeting up with regular team slots in the coming weeks , as well as one-to-ones, which will act as a chance to know more about individual roles and responsibilities, strengths and weaknesses, goals, ambitions, likes and dislikes. Read more in our factsheet on team building.

Be prepared for resistance
As a new manager – particularly if you are less experienced than some of your team – you may have to deal with some resistance from your staff. Many people are fearful of change and this can cause them to put up barriers. Remember that this is a really common scenario and the only way to respond is to listen and show that you value your colleagues’ experience. Read more in our factsheets on listening,  change management and managing experienced people.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help
You will not be expected to know all the answers when you become a manager; neither are you expected to cope on your own. Make use of your support network. Ask your team for advice (they’ll be pleased you value their opinions) Go to management for guidance (they will expect you to take some time to become established) Speak to your mentor, if you have one.

Show you are human
New managers sometimes make the mistake of appearing unapproachable and humourless in a bid to assert their authority. Undoubtedly, once you are a manager you can no longer see yourself as ‘one of the gang’, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t laugh, joke and socialise with your team. Just remember that there is a balance to maintain.

Identify your weaknesses – and keep learning
It goes without saying that you won’t be a brilliant manager straight away. It takes time, patience, practice and support from other managers to get things right. The best managers will continually question whether they are doing things to the best of their ability and will also learn from their mistakes. Some of the questions you may want to consider:

• Do your team enjoy their jobs? What can I do to improve motivation?
• Am I communicating clearly with my staff? Am I listening properly?
• Does my staff have defined roles and responsibilities a well as clear objectives?
• How good is my time management?
• Am I getting snowed under because I find it hard to delegate effectively?

It may also be worth considering the type of management style that you would like to adopt and this will affect the way you interact with your staff. For information read our factsheet on management styles.