11/30/2023-Manager Feedback

Be specific and direct to your manager about what motivates you, but also appreciate your manager knows a thing or two about the business and about helping sellers like you.

More often than not, you won’t hear from your manager where you stand.

Get over it.

If you want and need validation and recognition from your manager, GO GET IT.

But don’t expect a steady stream of ice cream and roses…you’ll need to accept your manager’s appraisal of your developmental areas as well. (Keep smiling…remember, feedback is a gift.)

Your manager’s opinion does matter….both the complimentary stuff you hear and the "yeah, I need help on that." You don’t always have to like what you hear from your manager – or agree with it – but keeping an open mind is necessary for your growth.

Today, apply the following simple feedback framework with your manager.

After you finish a pitch meeting that you and your manager attend, ask your manager to discuss your performance.

Ask, "What are the one or two things you think I did well in that meeting? Hopefully, you’ll hear meaningful praise for your applied skills and techniques with the customer.

Follow it up with this question, "What are the one or two things you think I need to work on?"

This approach will scratch both itches: you’ll hear the good and hopefully receive some constructive tips to help you grow your skills.

True or false: It’s up to you to train your manager.

Well…yes and no.

Of course, you should be specific and direct to your manager about what you respond to (i.e., what best motivates you), but also appreciate your manager knows a thing or two… about the business and about helping sellers like you.

Manager/seller relations are rarely perfect from the outset (if it appears otherwise, someone is holding out). Communication courage is needed by both sides to reach a high level of trust for both of you; perhaps you won’t be attending each other’s weddings, so what, you’ll save some moolah staying home.

Here are a few tips that might help your communication efforts with your manager:
1. Be direct, honest, specific, and clear. (Yeah, you know this…so do it.)
2. Focus on strategic issues, not the tactical stuff. Show your manager your thinking.
3. Limit email conversations between the two of you. Too much context is lost when email is the dominant communication mode.

Don’t forget, a regular rotation of offsite meetings between the two of you will get you deeper on everything: business issues, interpersonal situations, and problem-solving, to name a few.

Finally, don’t talk smack about your manager to others. Even though your peers might be spewing at you while you’re sipping a cold one at the bar, don’t fall for it. Not only is it a bad look, but it’s unfair to your manager and inappropriate.

Your manager is doing the best job possible to help you. If it’s not what you need or want, it’s ALSO on you to fix it.

Hopefully, you get everything you need from your manager.

As you’ll see in this 4-minute short featuring a generous "giving" scene from Undercover Boss, managers can be empathic and caring. And even though this scene and show are quintessential made-for-TV, it’s fun to watch a life change before your eyes.

Maybe this vignette will prompt you to schedule an Undercover Boss watching party with your manager! Ha…wouldn’t that be a gas.

Or maybe you’ll feel more relaxed about hearing feedback from your manager – good and helpful.