Becoming a Development Manager
By Roxanne Steenkamp, Development Manager
I’ve never considered myself much of a manager, and honestly, if someone had asked me a few years ago whether I’d become one or not, I’d probably have laughed in their face. Yet, here I am, embracing a huge role and riding the roller coaster! I started with POD two and a half years ago as an Assistant Development Manager in Wembley Park, and when I accepted the new role, I knew immediately that it would be a challenge. Again, although I didn’t consider myself a manager, I did think of myself as someone who accepted a challenge and always wanted to perform. Eighteen months later, I had an exciting opportunity to progress into a development manager role for another scheme called Fisherton Street.
To name one highlight of being a new manager in a new development of your own is difficult, but I’d have to say that watching my team progress is incredibly heart-warming and fulfilling. We’ve worked so hard together to build new training manuals, SOP, and processes (to name just a few things), but all the ideas have been from within the team and watching us learn, work and build ideas as a collective makes me really happy!
I’ve been asked a few times how I keep positive and engaged all the time (who me?). It’s easy within my team, I’m positive naturally and thrive on my team's engagement. I often reward or give feedback by giving out recognition badges - no matter the task's major or minor. Also, this might seem a bit silly, but singing “good morning” when coming through the door or saying “thank you for today's shift”, whether from me or to me, goes such a long way!
As a manager, speaking and connecting with other line managers in the field and at head office has felt incredibly important. I am constantly trying to learn how they effectively manage their teams and how I can improve for the sake of my own.
To sum up, being a new development manager comes with big challenges that I never thought I’d be any good at facing, but with amazing and fulfilling rewards that I adore. The role consists of treating everyone fairly, checking on their well-being, ensuring they’re kept busy and supporting their progression whilst maintaining positive and open-minded… and I love it. Two years ago, if you’d asked me if I wanted to be a manager, I’d have laughed at you. If you ask me now if I consider myself one, I’d say it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.