The best advice I can offer someone moving into a management position for the first time is to listen. As a leader, it’s important to listen to what’s on the minds of your colleagues, clients and peers to get an idea sense of the goals they are trying to achieve as well as the challenges they may face. Listening is also crucial to understand getting a sense of what makes people tick, what motivates them, and what may be keeping them up at night. Here are a few others important suggestions:

Keep it simple
As a leader it’s critical to have a clear-cut plan and set goals. Keep the goals simple, brief and achievable. For many of us, having too many goals can be overwhelming and can actually thwart our efforts to achieve success.

Take ownership
Convey confidence and be sure to communicate the big picture. Don’t assume your team knows what the picture is – take responsibility for keeping them informed on current or changing goals through periodic updates. Be honest about the headwinds that you may face and share your thoughts on how to overcome them.

Reward your employees
Adopt an attitude of gratitude. Take care of your team members — thank them for a job well done, pass credit along freely to others and praise in public. Remember to also take responsibility for failures and don’t ever play the “blame game.” As a leader, you are ultimately responsible for the results of your team so you need to own both the successes and any potential shortfalls.

Create a transparent work environment
Develop a team environment where people feel comfortable speaking openly and challenging each other. This starts at the top — with you — as the leader of the team. Establish a positive, harmonious office environment and you’ll reap the rewards of being surrounded by happy employees who want to work hard, do the right thing and succeed.

Read all answers to the MPW Insider question: What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?

Why your manager should stop trying so hard by Pascale Witz, Executive Vice President of Global Divisions at Sanofi.

What 20 years in leadership has taught me by Debbie Messemer, Managing Partner at KPMG San Francisco.

Why the best leaders aren’t afraid to make mistakes by Stacia Pierce, CEO of Ultimate Lifestyle Enterprises.

One quality all young female leaders should have by Sandi Peterson, Group Worldwide Chairman at Johnson & Johnson.

5 tips for women looking to move up the corporate ladder by Cheryl Cook, Channel Chief at Dell.

What it means to join the c-suite by Colette LaForce, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at AMD.

Why ‘knowing it all’ won’t help you at work by Adena Friedman, President of Nasdaq.

Why you should be more friendly at work by Mary Civiello, President of Civiello Communications Group.

4 reasons to ditch the ‘corporate mold’ by Kathy Collins, Chief Marketing Officer, H&R Block.

10 tips for survival when you’re the new boss by Debby Hopkins, Chief Innovation Officer at Citi.

Why every new leader should take Lupita Nyong’o’s advice Gloria Larson, President of Bentley University.

Why I’m proud to be gay — at home and at work by Beth Brooke-Marciniak, Global Vice Chair of Public Policy at Ernst & Young.

Why great doers don’t make great leaders by Liz Wiseman, President of Wiseman Group.

3 things you can learn from your worst boss by Lauren Stiller Rikleen, President of Rikleen Institute for Strategic Leadership.

One CEO’s cheat sheet to the top by Kathy Bloomgarden, CEO of Ruder Finn.

3 ways to think like a leader by Alyse Nelson, CEO and co-founder of Vital Voices Global Partnership.

What the best bosses can learn from mountain ski guides by Susan Coelius Keplinger, President and COO of Triggit.

The one quality all leaders must have by China Gorman, CEO of Great Place to Work Institute.

3 lessons every new leader should know by Sally Blount, Dean of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Barbara Bush: 4 tips for aspiring leaders by Barbara Bush, co-founder of Global Health Corps.