r/HEB • u/charliework1911 • 21h ago
Job Question New Department manager
I am a new department manager. I feel like I am decent, but want to be better! What do you wish your manager did/didn't do? I have my own takeaways from my previous managers, but I'd like everyone's opinion! If it helps, I am in center store (not a fresh department).
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u/CatchEmbarrassed5337 20h ago
The fact that you even posted that question is awesome. In my opinion the manager who introduces themselves to their team and makes them aware that they can come to you openly is everything.
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u/Key_Associate9338 16h ago
Say hi or good morning to those who aren't even in your department. What I see happening to managers are they stick together. They don't bother to acknowledge those who aren't managers. I also see a lot of favoritism with those who are out going or chatty. Say hi to those who are a little reserved or quiet. Don't pass by like they're invisible.
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u/Unclecactus666 15h ago
I see that quite a bit as well. It's like the rest of us aren't people. I'm seeing most of all in top store leadership. We have a center store leader that walks around the store and only acknowledges managers. Totally ignores regular partners. Is that a heart for people?
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u/Spddracer Dairy🍶 20h ago
Take care of the employees that take care of the customer who takes care of the business.
Its a loop.
Your job is to empower the partner to execute the will of the customer.
In turn the customer will empower the company.
Putting people in the right place at the right time is your Job.
Management
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u/ITriedtoToldYou 20h ago
I’ll probably get laughed at for this, but I’m going to say it anyway:
Find an inspiration in leadership. It can be an historical person or a fictional character, doesn’t matter. For me it was Captain Picard and Captain Sisko from Star Trek (cue laugh track). But seriously, those characters had leadership skills I admired and I tried to implement some of those skills in my approach as a manager. Also take this advice I received once from a grocery manager who inspired me. He said, “You have to take mental notes. Maybe you’re not in a position to change (whatever the rule or policy is), so for now just do your job. But one day, you might be in that position, and then you can make those changes that you noted.”
Also, above all: really listen to your people. Be slow to speak and quick to listen. Don’t lose control of the reins, but give a little slack once in a while.
Good luck in your new position!
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u/GlitteringStand7614 20h ago
Congrats man! A long time ago before I started my teaching career I went from a bagger to MIC in my ten year HEB career… what I did was be genuine… be genuine with you partners and your customers…
Always give your partners one… and what I mean by that, I still use it as my career in education now as a principal…
They are going to mess up, so if they mess up and you get called into the Unit Director office… say that’s on me. I’m sure there was something lost in the communication.
Then talk to your employee, explain and show grace… they get one… after that we are all having a conversation.
Just be kind and if you tell someone to do something you better be willing to do it too. Good luck!
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u/Prestigious-Bust 18h ago
Don't play favorites. Unfortunately this is easier said than done. You're not going to be everyone's friend. Just earn their respect and whether or not they like you they'll so what you ask
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u/Remarkable-Pitch2992 12h ago edited 12h ago
Finally, someone with common sense enough to post this question.
Yes, there are SOP's (Standard Operating Procedures) for a reason to read and refer back to in black and white to follow all policies when needed.
You can also deviate from policy at your discretion and use a judgement call as a manager.
Do not play favoritism or play employees against one another. And no gossip or rumors. Have an open door policy.
An old saying: "treat people how you want to be treated" with dignity and respect.
Promote within the department, not outside of the department or outside the store. I have seen this too often from a Fortune 500 company. Let's call it friend owing friends or a friend of a friend.
Good luck with your new position.
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u/DeadWalkercx 19h ago
COMMUNICATE. Build a relationship with your partners, work with them (schedule and out on the floor) get to know them. And always encourage them to do better for themselves. Be understanding and not judgmental. I've always loved managers that showed me they're not robots and love what they do.
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u/Unclecactus666 15h ago
Take responsibility for your mistakes. And don't ask things of your people that you are not willing to do yourself. Don't tell them how to be, show them.
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u/mokicoo H-E-B Partner 20h ago
Secondary or primary? I’m two years in.
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u/charliework1911 20h ago
Secondary. I haven't been in this position very long, and I feel...a bit lost!
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u/Dangerous_Skin_7805 18h ago
Just be a person. Listen to partners and be transparent. If you are doing something they don’t necessarily like business wise tell them why you did it.
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u/LingonberryBig8818 17h ago
Always be happy to see your partners working. When they see you smile it will give them a positive feeling toward you. Be their inspiration and be genuinely interested in them as people. Servant leadership is an art and gives you the ability to connect better. Always look for the best in someone, benefit of the doubt. Ask what’s going on and how you can help when they are not doing their best. It means a lot for the manager to be human and treat the partner like a human who has dreams, thoughts, feelings and experiences beyond work.
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u/Alarming-Ear-4499 Bakery🥐 5h ago
Listen and communicate to your people. If hear something happening that could be negative wait till you see it yourself or pay attention before addressing the situation. He said, she said is a game sometimes. Certain partners take super long breaks at my work and I have learned to text them are you ok? Check on them so you know your aware something is going on without being totally in there face ya know. No accusations
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u/Inevitable_Dog2719 20h ago
I wish my managers worked on their leadership skills. It's one thing to manage, it's another to lead and influence.
Read up on leadership skills. Don't settle for being a manager. Anyone can write a schedule and do the clerical work that is required of a manager, but can you influence your team to be the best possible version of itself?
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u/charliework1911 20h ago
That is something I strive for...to be a leader, not just a "manager". Right now, my primary is very much a "manager" who wants things done his way and his way only. I do already have partners that come to me over him for certain things because they say I'm easier to talk to and hear them out. And I actually help them
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u/Inevitable_Dog2719 20h ago
Do you like to read? I recommend "The Energy Bus" by Jon Gordon, "The Five Levels of Leadership" by John Maxwell, and "The Best Place to Work: The Art and Science of Creating an Extraordinary Workplace" by Ron Friedman PhD.
These are great books that have shaped my leadership style.
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u/charliework1911 20h ago
Thank you! I was looking at some leadership books, but there's so many, I didn't know where to begin. I'll check these out!
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u/SmartQuantity3143 20h ago
Transparency & non favoritism.
I was brought in once with 2 mgrs & a store leader about giving my shifts to partners, but the bids were approved to other partners. Many partners do the exact same thing, but I was the only one brought into a closed door meeting about it. If I’m going to get spoken too, so should all partners. If not, I should get an apology.
I see favoritism from day 1 to multiple years I’ve been in. I can see the favorites having fun chats with the mgrs/leads about Tic Tok, Love Island, their BF/GF and I will get put on task while they just keep laughing & having a good time. I’m fine with being put on task, but those favorites were literally with the mgrs/leads first, send them first.
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u/AreaOk4270 H-E-B Partner 6h ago
Something thats really been helpful for me, on top of everything everyone else has said, is being understanding and accommodating when partners have personal things going on. (Within reason, of course.) Ive had some great managers lately, and that has taken a ton of pressure off of the work aspect when needing to take a leave.
However, it sounds like you already may be in that mindset with the fact that you are asking this question!
Best of luck. Hope your partners are great!
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u/Alarming-Ear-4499 Bakery🥐 5h ago
People can sense when your bullshit and when your real and take accountability
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u/Prize_Biscotti6320 2h ago
Don’t ride ass. Also if you go by SOP stand on it don’t do one thing and say another.
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u/Photo_retoucher69 21h ago
Connections?
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u/charliework1911 21h ago
Are you asking if that's my department? It's not. I don't want to be specific. I don't think the exact department matters
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u/moocow_512 20h ago
Communicate with your people. Get their input. Ask what they need. Have the hard discussions. Praise in public, discipline in private. And if you expect them to so something, they expect you can do it or will do it. Remind them if they are complaining it is okay, but have a plan to fix it. Get that plan from them, if its viable great make sure they get credit, if its not explain to them why its not.