Moving to Management
Professional Development Track
(Three Presentations)
Moderator:
Tom Davis, Director, Academic Computing and Network Services, Michigan State University
Presentation 1
Moving to Management: Lessons Learned Along the Way
(download PDF)
Abstract
Moving from a staff position into a management position presents numerous challenges to those doing it for the first time. Special challenges occur when that transition is being made within the same department, and suddenly people who were colleagues are now subordinates.
In this presentation, Chris Payne, manager of Indiana University’s UITS IT Training & Education group, will discuss the lessons he learned when he made this transition to management several years ago. He’ll discuss the critical things one needs to know to be a successful manager and share his ideas for how to manage the changing relationships with new colleagues and supervisees. In doing this, he’ll present the key lessons he learned along the way, lessons that every manager needs to learn to be successful.
Presented by:
- Chris Payne
Manager, UITS IT Training & Education
Indiana University
Presentation 2
Transition into Management: Navigating the Neutral Zone
(download PDF)
Abstract
In his book, “Managing Transitions”, William Bridges presents the “Neutral Zone” as the name for an uncomfortable, “neither fish nor fowl” period between the start and the completion of a change. A successful change requires navigating the often-rough waters of this transition zone.
In this presentation I’ll draw on Bridges’ model to describe my journey from being a member of the AIS Student Academic Records Team at MSU to becoming the team’s manager. I’ll describe the characteristics, challenges, and opportunities of the Neutral Zone along with some “navigational aids” for managing changing relationships, disconnecting from the technical role, developing a leadership perspective, and other challenges that arise in the first years of the transition.
While intended for those who are considering, about to begin, or currently making the transition, this presentation may also be useful to those who are managing or mentoring a new manager.
Presented by:
- Craig Rosenberger
Team Leader, Student Academic Records Systems
Michigan State University
Presentation 3
Lifesaving Tools, Resources, and Coaching Methods for Managers
(download PDF)
Abstract
If there was a way to manage your workload that would enable you get the job done without being so stressed and overwhelmed, wouldn’t you want to try it out? This presentation details the lifesaving tools, resources and coaching methods I found essential to success in my first year in a challenging new service management position. In February last year (2006), I was hired into this new position at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It’s a simple job: manage the campus email service!
I had to quickly adapt, learn and master many new skills in a short period of time. After five months of feeling overwhelmed with the sheer volume of new material to learn and master, I really got the hang of things. According to my manager, it’s like one day I just “flipped a switch” -- this presentation is about what enabled me to flip that switch. This is a presentation for anyone, but it’s especially relevant to new managers and those who mentor and guide other managers in their work.
Presented by:
- Gale Stafford
Application Service Manager
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign