The Modern Manager: “Tik Tok University”
When most people think of Tiktok, they think of silly dances and lip syncing videos. The app gained rapid popularity amid COVID shutdowns in 2020 as billions of people joined the platform. Tik Tok has not only revolutionized social media, but it has revolutionized the way we communicate, learn, and talk about real life situations.
My husband and I jumped on the bandwagon in April 2020. We made silly videos dancing in the living room and laughing at “Tiger King” parodies for hours at a time. Once we returned to work after a few weeks of being furloughed, we would occasionally scroll the app and send each other funny videos. Recently, I was scrolling after a long day and a glass of wine and stumbled upon “Corporate Tiktok”. Just like that…it clicked!
How can you use an app like Tik Tok to improve your time management, people management, and elevate your career?
It’s simple. Find what relates to you.
As a new manager with a team of remote sales reps, it can be difficult to know if what you’re doing is right. Unfortunately, I don’t have a senior manager’s office to pop into if I encounter an obstacle with my team. I strive to be resourceful and tactful in my style of management to ensure I keep an open mind and consistently evolve in my role. I have scrolled through hundreds if not thousands of content creators with backgrounds in HR, Marketing, Management, Career Coaching, and more with advice on every scenario possible.
Today, I want to share a few things I have learned on this app and encourage you to expand your growth by bringing modern technology to your leadership style.
Time Management
As a new manager this is something I have struggled with and have to constantly push myself to work on. Here’s a few of the things I’ve put into practice:
Work on your business, not in your business
Break your tasks into 4 quadrants based on level of urgency
Spend most of your time in things that are “important but not urgent”
Put 2 hours of time on your calendar to work with your team. Eventually your “urgent and emergency” quadrant will shrink as you are dealing with them before they become fires and crises
Don’t work without a purpose
Always set your intention for the day. Write down a list of things you want to accomplish within your working hours
Don’t give your attention to everyone who asks for it
Instead, place it on your list of things to circle back to when the time is available for you to focus on the team member
People Management
Learn what to do, what not to do, and tips on how to better communicate with your team.
Here’s a look at some of the most valuable lessons I have learned:
Get into the habit of coaching at least one person daily
Consume self growth and development content 5 minutes daily
Focus on what your people are good at and anchor that behavior as something they can build confidence in
Acronym STAFF S = Set the expectation. Don’t ask anyone to do anything unless it is clearly defined as to what is expected of them. T= Training. Don’t ask anyone to do something they do not have the right training for. A= Accountability. Hold them accountable to a time limit or due date. F= Follow up. Check-in part way through incase they are headed in the wrong direction. F= Feedback. Always give constructive feedback.
Elevate Your Career
You need to be communicating the value of your work to your manager. It can be hard after a few months if you can hardly remember what you did or why it mattered. Create a running document that tracks your progression throughout the year to help elevate your career.
Here is what you should include:
Major Projects and Tasks
Outcome of each major project or task upon completion
Who you collaborated with or manager who assigned the project to you
Date
So now, when it’s the end of the year and your manager asks you why you should get a raise, promotion, or high performance ranking you can reference this with confident details.
My favorite TikTokers to follow:
@erinjacksonco
@rminatrea
@drmichaelsteiner
Written by Mikki Collins
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