Tips for new reps (and new managers)

This comes from an article by Janet H. Cho in the (Cleveland) Plain Dealer. It's meant for new leaders, but most are smart ideas for new reps, especially those working with pods/counterparts/alliance partners.

Here's a direct link to the article: The Plain Dealer.

Under a section titled Do's and don'ts for new leaders:

Do:

Be humble.

Ask lots of questions.

Meet one-on-one with everyone you'll be supervising.

Use plural nouns whenever possible.

Create an enthusiastic, upbeat, inspiring atmosphere.

Seek out mentors, both inside and outside your company

Keep your ears open to new ideas and your office door open to feedback

Don't:

Be bossy.

Go around barking orders.

Bully or belittle the people who report to you.

Be afraid to admit you don't know something.

Assume you know more than your colleagues about how to do their jobs.

Forget to praise your staff in public and criticize them in private.

Stop learning about your company, your industry and your competition