Yes, you read this correctly. Smart employees manage their managers. What I mean is they understand how to interact and how to “work smart,” to maximize constructive guidance from their managers.
Here are my 12 tips to effectively manage your manager:
- Avoid bad surprises. Don’t forget the cardinal rule – if something important goes wrong with an assignment, client or customer, notify your manager right away. Your manager should find out from you, not from someone else. This way he or she can promptly engage in damage control.
- Don’t be afraid to be a nag. Managers have many projects going on and they can lose track of details. If you are in charge of a project and you realize you need assistance with something, do not be shy about alerting your manager. If your manager relies on you for coordination, and there are people your manager needs to touch base with, remind him or her of this task at regular intervals. If done properly, your manager will thank you for your helpful reminders, rather than be annoyed.
- Know when to interrupt your manager. Everyone has their daily routines – and some of us like our quiet time during certain hours of the day. Get to know what your manager’s preferences are; you’ll get a better reception.
- Maintain a comprehensive task list and electronic calendar so no deadline is missed. This sounds very basic, but with all the interruptions we encounter in our daily routines, having a short, prioritized list of things that need to get done is critical.
- Educate your manager as to the time it takes to perform your tasks. This is a pet peeve of mine. The more senior a manager is within an organization, the more detached he or she becomes from the day-to-day mechanics of completing subordinate level tasks. Look for opportunities, even subtle ones, to educate your manager about the amount of time necessary to perform an assignment. By being informed, your manager will develop more of a knack for allotting the appropriate amount of time for you to get the job done right. This will result in your manager becoming more supportive of you and your work ethic.
- Give yourself extra time to complete and review the final product. When planning a deadline, factor in a decent amount of time to polish your finished product. Sometimes editing can take as long as preparing the initial draft, and you don’t want to come up short on a promised delivery date.
- Take ownership of your assignments. This is so important to every manager. We love to work with staff members who can be trusted to take ownership of a project, rather than coming back looking for too much basic guidance. While a regular “check-in” is important, look at every project as an opportunity to use all of the tools you have acquired. You will enhance your reputation as an individual who can work independently and deliver what was promised.
- Approach problems in an analytical yet practical manner. These are tricky and often contradictory characteristics, but the proper balance is critical. Over-analysis often leads to paralysis, and being too practical without tactical thinking can be deadly. By combining both concerns – analysis and practice – you will be viewed as a strategic thinker.
- Take good notes at meetings, if you are entrusted with that responsibility. A great way to learn is by taking and organizing notes. Your manager will truly appreciate the value it provides.
- Prepare for meetings with your manager. If you can spend an extra few minutes planning your encounters with your manager, you will save precious time and get the answers and guidance you need. Prioritize matters, think of possible solutions, and keep your agenda short and focused
- Respond to the culture your manager sets. Every organization has its own culture, which radiates from the top. To maximize your value, make sure your work style fits nicely into the organization’s culture.
- Build a relationship of trust. People want to associate themselves with those who have a highly ethical value system. They also do not want to see back-biting or nastiness. By modeling appropriate behavior you will demonstrate the right values that are so important for organizational effectiveness.