If you're about to be a manager for the first time, your level of confidence will be reflected in your previous experience. Perhaps you've acted up or stood in for your boss on occasion, so the job isn't that daunting for you. Perhaps you've led a team before, but have not had this level of responsibility.

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Or perhaps you've come into a company as a new manager - and you're nervous as you feel like you're starting from scratch. Whichever scenario describes you, there are three essential things you should do in your new job as a manager as soon as you can - they will make your life much easier in the future.

1. Get to know people as soon as you can

This may sound obvious, but it's not just the members of your team you should be getting to know in order to settle in to a company as soon as you can. Every member of staff, from the mail room to the cleaners should be known to you - after all, these are the people who help the company run and yet are often overlooked by managers. On top of that, many people who you may not have daily contact with will still hold vital information or useful tips about "how things work around here".

Then, of course - there are the people you are directly responsible for. Rather than thinking of them as a faceless group known as your "team", try to make time to sit down and have a one to one with each of them, so that you can get to know them a little on an individual basis. After all, only at the start of a job do you ever get the luxury of time to do this, as your workload hasn't had a chance to pile up yet!

2. Learn the Company Policy

Rules are often tedious, but they are there for a reason - and when you're a manager, they could mean the difference between a court case against you or being able to defend yourself and your actions. These days, all companies have to follow legal guidelines concerning Health and Safety, for example, or anything from maternity leave to sickness benefit. These are all regulated and countrywide specifications, but your company may have its own policies, for example, how disciplinary procedures are conducted, smoking in the workplace, and a myriad of other things. As someone responsible for others, you have to act according to company policy at all times - so learning what those policies are should be paramount.

3. Start as you mean to go on

We've all been disappointed with a manager who promises a lot when they join, but doesn't follow through on their promises, or who starts off being friendly and engaged, but once they settle into the role, become distant or demanding. Start as you mean to go on in management and in business and it will earn you far more respect and appreciation in the long run. Be the manager you would like to have had before you became one yourself.