Being a new manager is scary.

You're suddenly responsible for leading a team and you have no idea how to do it.

I've served as a manager and executive at several companies.

Here's a step by step cheatsheet to help you become a better leader today:

1. Create the vision:

• Define what success looks like.
• Translate it into specific goals.

2. Communicate your vision to the org:

• Talk to all the relevant stakeholders.
• Persuade and help them understand how these goals will lead to success.

3. Create the strategy.

• Vision: our destination.
• Strategy: how we get there.
• Create a list of tasks and milestones that will ensure the team achieves its vision.

4. Hire the right people to execute the strategy:

• Identify what hard skills and cultural traits your team needs to execute the strategy.
• Interview and hire people who meet that criteria.

5. Train and coach new hires:

• First teach them how to do a task by doing it yourself.
• Then ask them to do it and identify gaps for improvement.
• Keep doing this till they can execute at an acceptable level.

6. Secure the necessary resources for your team to do their jobs:

• This includes everything from equipment and budgets to necessary tools.

7. Put a process in place to ensure high performance:

• Set measurable goals.
• Delegate work required to hit these goals.
• Monitor performance through weekly one on ones with every direct report.
• Identify what isn't going well and fix it.

8. Motivate your team and maintain morale:

• Set ambitious but achievable goals.
• Celebrate every win along the way.
• Make sure everyone is compensated and recognized for their work.

9. Build the culture:

• Culture: what we do and how we do it (values).
• Shape the culture by setting an example - embody team values in how you work.
• Celebrate others when they embody these values.

10. Anticipate what the future looks like:

• Always plan 3-6-12 months out.
• Problems avoided are better that problems solved.
• Identify future opportunities and make sure your team is ready to capitalize.

11. Develop your interpersonal skills:

Learn to:
• Listen.
• Communicate.
• Motivate.
• Give feedback.
• Take feedback.

12. Be self aware. Work on yourself:

• Good management starts with managing yourself.
• Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses.
• Work consistently on maximizing your strengths and limiting your weaknesses.

Now go be a kick ass leader

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