Yes, you are a manager, but that does not mean you stop developing yourself.  Never stop learning.  Read a book, take a class, meet with a mentor – just never stop learning.  Find groups to join and attend networking events.

Develop Your Soft Skills

Take time to develop your emotional intelligence; this leads to working better under pressure.  Make an effort to work well with others and invite feedback.  Practice active listening and be transparent.  Your team’s success will depend on them knowing what you expect. Acknowledge your team regularly and take the time to say, ‘thank you’.

Network

Introduce yourself to other departments in your company.  Get to know a variety of people and take the time to understand their role.  Ask them if there is anything you can do for them.  The more people you know, the more power you will have.  Apply the same principle outside your company.  Get to know the leaders in your industry, attend events, and keep an open mind.

Create Your Social Network

There is power in social media and you should take full advantage of it.  There are plenty of ways to network online and develop professional relationships.  Search for leaders in your industry, learn from them, and reach out to them.  This is a great way to meet new people in your industry; it is also a great way to display your skills and build your credibility.

Set aside time every day to develop your skills, network, and market yourself.  The more you learn, the more powerful you will become.  The same goes for building your network, so take the time to attend events.  Lastly, realize that social media is not just for cat videos.  Use it to its fullest, build your brand, and watch your career take off.