What I wouldn’t give to turn the clock back about 20 years when I became a manager for the first time.
I was working as a senior account executive at Porter Novelli in San Francisco when I assumed day-to-day supervisory responsibilities for a newly hired assistant account executive. She had recently graduated from college and I, at 25 years old, had only marginally more experience in work or life.
As I reflect on that pivotal transition, I learned way too much by trial and error. For the first time, being good at my own job wasn’t enough. My employer and my clients trusted me to develop the potential and enhance the performance of a junior team member, but there wasn’t a guide.
Fast-forward to the present day, having witnessed this same transition among hundreds of PR professionals in agency and in-house settings, here are four key skills first-time supervisors should know to become great managers and great leaders.
Katie Neal is vice president of communications and marketing at TimelyCare, a health care provider for students. She is president of the PRSA Thoroughbred Chapter in Lexington, Ky. Connect with her on LinkedIn or X.
