Many of you sent me private emails after you read the last post on Professional Development Strategies to Manage Upward. I decided to continue the conversation.
Here are 2 questions that will be covered in this post:
- What important conversations do you need to have with your boss?
- How have you used an experience with a bad manager/boss so you don’t become like him or her?
The content comes from numerous client interviews who shared this valuable information. As you read their responses, think how you would answer me if I asked you these questions. You may decide to have important conversations with your boss!
Professional Development Strategies #1: What important conversations do you need to have with your boss?
A Director of an organization told me that he has career uncertainty. “It’s like a race and fighting for the position. I have the aspiration to be the CEO of the company. I keep in check with superiors and I’m having the necessary conversations. I ask them what I need to do to get there. Am I doing something that you want me to change? I have received important feedback to work on my professional development. Some of my colleagues think that I’m being aggressive. I don’t feel that way because I’m not being pushy. I’m asking top leaders what I need to do to get promotions.”
Thoughts from Joyce about Professional Development Strategies #1
My client will probably become the CEO in the future because he is asking the right questions to the best people. Many people are too timid to ask for what they want/need. This passive behavior doesn’t work very well because if we don’t show that we are strong leaders, we won’t become one. Remember, “You Get What You Tolerate!” If we wonder internally why we don’t get promoted…and don’t take action, we will continue not advancing in our career. People tell me that they are shy and just can’t have these important conversations. I tell them to stop labeling themselves as “shy” since that behavior will not be beneficial if they want to become a future leader.
How have you been promoted? What important conversations have you had OR do you need to have with your leaders?
Professional Development Strategies #2: How have you used an experience with a bad manager so you don’t become like him or her?
An emerging leader told me that her former boss never appreciated the team. She said, “As a result of my previous boss, I make sure to do what I can to appreciate my team. Food seems to work well at this job! We have hot dog Fridays and grill outside for lunch. They decide what restaurant they want to visit when it’s their birthday. I give them gift certificates yearly and they appreciate this a lot. We give a generous yearly bonus for all employees no matter how long they have been here. We have weeded out the slackers because everyone on the team deserves this recognition especially when we do well during the year.”
Thoughts from Joyce on Professional Development Strategies #2
It’s not rocket science to know the importance of appreciation. The challenge for many leaders is that they take appreciation for granted. At least 50% of my coaching clients have told me that appreciation is something that doesn’t come easily to them. This is not surprising because many of them did not have the best bosses to learn from in their own experience.
Food really does work. It does not need to cost you a lot of money. Ask your team what kind of food to include in future meetings. Invite them to plan a pot luck lunch. This is an easy fix to improve morale. Celebrate the diversity of your team by encouraging them to share foods from their culture. Your team will learn about each other and watch the morale improve.
I want to hear from you!
CLICK HERE to send me your questions about creating important questions with your boss. What is your experience with a bad boss and how have you learned from him or her? Have you read any good business books lately? I’d love to hear about them.
Do You Want to See How Your Communication Impacts Your Success at Work?
CLICK HERE to take the easy and fun Communicate with Impact Quiz. You will get your results immediately and learn more about setting boundaries to be more effective at work and in your life. Sound good? We can set up a 15 minute laser FREE phone coaching session to discuss your results since I appreciate you being a loyal reader.
Here’s the LINK
Until next time,
This is Joyce Weiss, Communication Strategist and Coach
You can start improving relationships at work and develop your career once you learn the powerful strategies. I will do whatever it takes to help you improve your quality of life.
Feel free to call me (800.713.1926) concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, and on line professional growth coaching.
Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!
See YOU Next Week.
Read more articles and listen to podcasts at our Career Skills Knowledge Base https://www.joyceweiss.com/resources/knowledge-base/career-skills/
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