When I started work all those years ago, a colleague gave me a little book filled with aphorisms about life in the office. At first I thought it was a humor book, with comments like “When the office secretaries say they are cleaning out the fridge of anything older than one month, it is time to grab your bottle of salad dressing and put it on your desk.” But in the first month of my first job, I quickly realized the truth behind these pithy observations.

When I later became a manager, I wished someone had shared similar wisdom with me about how to act as a new manager. So I would like to share a few brief observations that may help first-time managers.

Dress the part

Be genuine. For example, if you don’t normally wear ties, don’t start wearing them around the office just because you became a manager. However, do wear a tie if you are going to meet your boss’s boss.

Buy a blazer or suit jacket, and wear it to meetings with your boss. You don’t have to wear a tie for the boss meeting, but the blazer will dress things up a little, even over a t-shirt.

Hang a mirror in your office, and check your appearance before you go to meetings.

Slow down before you walk into meetings. You need to appear composed as you walk in the door. If you had a long walk to get to a meeting, stop at the restroom on your way into the building and wash your face.

Make connections and build relationships

Go to lunch with someone else at least once a week. Always look for someone new to have lunch with.

Accept invitations to serve on committees, especially those that also include your peers.

Attend at least one conference every year. Better if you submit a conference presentation proposal, too.

Say “Hi” to people in the hallway, even if you don’t know their name.

Remember to thank people if they do something for you, even if it’s their job.

Build your communications skills

Speak up in meetings, so the people in the back can hear you clearly. Don’t speak too quickly.

Your meetings will have as much energy as you bring to them.

If you’re on stage in a Q&A, repeat every question that is asked of you, then answer it.

Process for writing emails: 1. Write email. 2. Delete most of it. 3. Send.

Avoid acronyms. Even if you think everyone in the room knows what the acronym stands for.

Learn to take notes in meetings using a pen and paper, rather than typing on a laptop. Many people perceive laptops as distracting.

Work on your handwriting. You never know when you’ll need to give someone a handwritten note; they should be able to read it

Look at people when you talk to them. Stand with your body facing the other person. Don’t cross your arms.

If you don’t have any topics for a meeting, maybe you should cancel it.

Before you call someone, think about what voicemail message you would leave if the other person isn’t there.

Voicemail should be less than a minute long, and should say who you are, what you’re calling about, and why (and when) they should call you back.

Always have an update to share about how your department helps the rest of the organization.

When you meet with your boss, always bring something on paper to talk about. You may not use it in your meetings, but you’ll be glad to have it.

Don’t bring problems to your boss, unless you really need them raised to the next level. You are the manager; you’re expected to bring solutions.

Take care of yourself

Arrange a three-day weekend once per month. Take a week’s vacation every few months.

When you go on vacation, leave your laptop and phone at home. If you do a “stay-cation,” store your laptop and phone in a closet.