Re: FWD: Team Leading

[Harry Hager <hhager -at- dttus -dot- com>]

     Hi Anon.
     
     In the past I have been a manager of tech writers. I found out there 
     is one very major difference between being a manager (and a team 
     leader to a lesser degree) and being a worker: 
     - A manager deals with people issues.  
     - A worker who is a tech writer deals with tech writing issues. 
     
     Sure, a tech writing manager does deal with tech writing issues, but 
     it's the emphasis on dealing with people issues that changes the 
     perspective of a manager. 
      
     I found that I did not like dealing with people issues as much as I 
     liked dealing with tech writing issues. I stopped being a manager. 
     
     You have already found out that you are now dealing with people issues 
     instead of tech writing issues, at least as regards the other writer 
     who wanted the position. You will soon find out how much you like 
     dealing with people issues. Some people love it, maybe you will, I did 
     not.
     
     Others will probably have some specific guidance, but please keep in 
     mind that you most certainly will find out how much you like dealing 
     with people issues instead of tech writing issues. Your response to 
     this change will let you know whether you like being a manager. 
     
     If you find out that you like dealing with people issues, you're on 
     your way to being a success as a manger. However, if you find out that 
     you do not like dealing with people issues, have the courage to say 
     that you don't want to be a manager, otherwise it'll tear you up. 
     
     Good Luck.
     
     H. Jim Hager
     hhager -at- dttus -dot- com
     


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: FWD: Team Leading
Author:  anonfwd -at- raycomm -dot- com at Internet-USA
Date:    3/14/00 8:05 AM


Hi all,
     
I've just been promoted to the position of team lead for a small tech 
writing team (5 people). My promotion was based on the quality of my 
technical writing work, but I've no previous mangerial experience.
     
I've bought a few books, looked at a few web sites, and put my name down 
for a managerial course that's due to take place in a few months time.
     
At the moment, however, I'm finding the whole managing prospect quite 
daunting and I don't have a very clear idea of where to start. (The team 
was without management for some time, so the dept is in general 
disarray.)
     
Also, another member of the team was in the running for my position. 
She's been fine since the result was announced, but I know she's a bit 
disappointed. I'm not quite sure how to handle relations with this 
colleague, and feel a bit awkward around her. Especially as the other 
team members know that we were in competition for the role.
     
Any advice/tips as to how you would handle this situation, or anecdotal 
evidence from people who've been in similar situations would be greatly 
appreciated.
     
Thanks a lot.
     
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
Forwarded anonymously on request. If you want the 
original poster to see your response, you must reply 
to the TECHWR-L list. All direct replies to this 
message are automatically discarded. Contact Eric 
ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com with questions.
     
     
     
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
Sponsored by Weisner Associates Inc., Online Information Services
Training & consulting for RoboHELP, Dreamweaver, HTML, and HTML-Based Help. 
More info at http://www.weisner.com/train/ or mailto:training -at- weisner -dot- com -dot- 
     
Your web site in 32 languages? Maybe not now, but sooner than you think. 
Contact ForeignExchange for the FREE paper, "3 steps to successful 
translation management" (http://www.fxtrans.com/3steps.html?tw).
     
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: hhager -at- dttus -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-27056L -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com 
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot-  Visit 
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.