How to be a better manager after a long break

Returning to work after a significant absence can feel like navigating a new city with an old map. For hiring managers in professional industries, the landscape of talent acquisition, team dynamics, and workplace culture can shift considerably. The good news? Your experience and perspective are invaluable. The challenge, and the opportunity, lies in integrating them with the contemporary realities of the professional world.

Here's how to not just return, but to thrive and become an even more effective manager:

1. Embrace the learning curve (and technology)

Things change, and often at a rapid pace. New software, updated recruitment platforms, different communication tools – these are just a few examples. Don't be afraid to admit what you don't know and actively seek to learn.

• Technology audit: What new tools are being used for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems), or even project management? Ask for training, watch tutorials, and familiarise yourself with the current tech stack.
• Industry trends: Subscribe to relevant industry newsletters, follow thought leaders on LinkedIn, and attend webinars. What are the current buzzwords? What are the emerging skill sets?
• Company refresh: Even if you've been with the same company, policies, priorities, and even the organisational structure might have evolved. Request an update from HR or a trusted colleague.

2. Reconnect and recalibrate your network

Your professional network is a vital asset, and nurturing it is key to a smooth re-entry.

• Internal connections: Schedule one-on-one meetings with your team members, direct reports, and key stakeholders. Ask them about their current projects, challenges, and aspirations. Listen more than you speak initially.
• External connections: Reach out to contacts you've maintained and those you've lost touch with. The job market might have shifted, and understanding current candidate expectations and talent pools is crucial. Attend industry events and reconnect with recruiters and headhunters.
• Mentor/Sponsor: Consider finding a mentor or a sponsor within your organisation who can offer guidance and help you navigate any unspoken rules or new dynamics.

3. Review and refresh your leadership style

While your core leadership principles remain, the nuances of team management might have shifted.

• Flexibility and hybrid working: The pandemic fundamentally changed how many professional industries operate. Understand and adapt to hybrid working models, flexible hours, and the challenges and opportunities they present for your team.
• Wellbeing and mental health: There's a much greater emphasis now on employee wellbeing and mental health support. Familiarise yourself with your company's resources and be prepared to address these aspects with empathy and understanding.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): DEI initiatives are more prominent and integrated into business strategies than ever before. Ensure your hiring practices and team management align with contemporary DEI best practices.

4. Be patient and kind to yourself

Returning to work, especially in a leadership role, can be demanding. There will be moments of self-doubt or feeling overwhelmed.

• Set realistic expectations: You won't know everything on day one. Give yourself time to adjust and re-establish your rhythm.
• Prioritise self-care: Ensure you're maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Burnout helps no one.
• Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge your progress and the positive impact you're having, even if it feels incremental.

Your absence has likely given you a fresh perspective, renewed energy, and perhaps even new skills or insights from your time away. By actively engaging with the present, reconnecting with your professional world, and adapting your leadership, you're not just returning to your old role; you're stepping into an evolved version of yourself, ready to be an even better, more effective manager. Welcome back.