Being a manager: is it worth it and is it for you?

In the corporate world, management is often seen as the pinnacle. Many people enter the corporate world with high hopes of working their way up to management. But being a manager isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. It has its challenges too. And it’s not for everyone.

So let’s take a look at the pros and cons of being a manager. And most importantly, let’s find out if it’s worth it.

What personality is best for management?

Managers have a job to lead, organise and influence their team. But not everyone’s cut out for the task. The best managers have a high level of emotional intelligence. They’re able to relate to their team and communicate in an influential way. Managers need to be able to respond well to pressure and problem-solve. 

Advantages of being a manager

Being a manager has its perks. Here are a few of the things you can look forward to.

Higher salary

One of the most obvious benefits of being a manager is the salary. Managers tend to earn bigger paychecks and bigger commissions. What’s not to love about that?!

More career opportunities

It can be difficult to become a manager for the first time. But when you’ve been a manager once, this opens the door to becoming a manager again. You’ve got those transferable skills. You could even switch to a higher-paying industry. So you’ll have a whole new pool of management job opportunities with other companies. 

Decision-making

As a manager, you get to call the shots. Instead of being told what to do, you get to decide the direction. You have more of an influence over the way the business is run. So if you have lots of ideas to bring to the table, you’ll love management.

Cons of being a manager

More pressure

When things go wrong, managers are the first to be held accountable. So there’s a lot of pressure on their shoulders. And this can soon turn into a stressful job. This can also mean late nights at the office. If you don’t like being put under pressure, you probably won’t enjoy being a manager!

Handling difficult situations with staff

As a manager, you have to deal with staff problems like tardiness, underperformance and disagreements. Shockingly, 69% of managers say they’re uncomfortable communicating with employees. So you need to have strong communication skills and be able to handle difficult conversations.

Hiring and firing

Managers are responsible for hiring and firing their team. This can be a tedious and lengthy task. But it can also be uncomfortable when you’re firing team members. So you can’t be afraid of addressing problems head on.

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea

Don’t worry if you think you’re not cut out for management. There are plenty of ways to advance your career without being a manager. And having this realisation can be very empowering. Equally, if you love the sound of being a manager, that’s a good sign! Companies are always looking for people that are ‘management material’. So you could have an exciting career in management ahead of you.

Ready for a career in management? Apply with 1 tap on the SonicJobs app!

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