Welcome to Management

About the Author

Ryan Hawk is a keynote speaker, author, advisor, and the host of The Learning Leader Show, which Forbes called “the most dynamic leadership podcast out there.” As head of Brixey & Meyer’s leadership advisory practice, Ryan speaks regularly at Fortune 500 companies, works with teams and players in the NFL, NBA, and NCAA, and facilitates Leadership Circles that offer structured guidance and collaborative feedback to new and experienced leaders. He draws upon his experiences, empirical evidence, and expert insights to strive for continuous improvement in his own life and to inspire other leaders to achieve and sustain excellence.

Main Idea

In Welcome to Management: How to Grow from Top Performer to Excellent Leader, Ryan Hawk provides practical, actionable advice and tools designed to ensure that the transition from top performer to manager is successful. He presents a three-part framework distilled from best practices drawn from in-depth interviews with over 300 of the most forward-thinking leaders around the world, as well as his own professional experience.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Lead Yourself
• Build Your Team
• Lead Your Team

Introduction

Every year, millions of top performers are promoted to management-level jobs only to discover that the tactics that got them promoted are not the tactics that will make them effective in their new role. Ryan Hawk's book, Welcome to Management, aims to bridge this gap by providing a comprehensive guide to help new managers navigate their roles successfully. The book is structured into three main sections: Lead Yourself, Build Your Team, and Lead Your Team.

Lead Yourself

The journey to becoming an excellent leader starts with leading yourself. Hawk emphasizes the importance of self-discipline, continuous learning, and earning credibility through modeling the behaviors you want your team to exhibit.

Build Yourself into a Learning Machine

Becoming a "learning machine" involves intentional and constant pursuit of new information to become better. This process includes four steps:

• Learn: Seek information from trusted sources, including mentors, virtual mentors, and coaches.
• Test: Put ideas into practice and seek immediate feedback.
• Reflect and Adjust: Analyze your actions and adjust accordingly.
• Teach: Cement your learning by teaching others.

"Build yourself into a learning machine." - Ryan Hawk

Hawk emphasizes that the real work of leadership begins inside your own head. Leading yourself well requires building skills and earning credibility through thoughtful and intentional learning. This involves embracing a mindset of being a continuous learner and developing the discipline to apply what you learn effectively.

Your Presence Is Required

Great leaders understand the importance of being physically present with their teams. This builds credibility and allows for better decision-making. Hawk encourages managers to show up and engage with their teams regularly.

"Show up. Your presence is needed to make better, more informed decisions." - Ryan Hawk

Time management is crucial for new managers. Hawk advises recording how you spend your time, managing it by eliminating unproductive tasks, and consolidating discretionary time into large blocks to maximize efficiency. Preparation is also key. Proper preparation for meetings and one-on-one interactions can significantly enhance their effectiveness.