Manage Your Manager

Business environments and family have similar features. You don't always get to decide on who your family is and the same is true with who is your manager (to a lesser degree). Your manager isn't going to be perfect and if you want to be successful, you'll need to understand your manager's strengths and weaknesses.

Understanding your environment is a key component to your success. Awareness and adjustment can go a long way. Some managers are very thorough and detail oriented, while others are very hands off because they have full trust that you will make the right decision. In the early stages of my career this was a difficult obstacle for me since my entire life as I know it was pretty much planned for me. Think about it, from the time you start school till you graduate, life is giving your schedule, setting your priorities and evaluating your performance with a fine tooth comb. Once out of the traditional school system, I was feeling a sense of overwhelming free fall into chaos (Probably an exaggeration, but nonetheless, I was in need of a change). It was surprising because I thought of myself as organized and in order. To a degree I was organized but I was just plotting around my skeleton school structure. Overcoming this part of life can either be quite liberating or a feeling of existential dread. Fortunately, you have me to lean upon sharing some of my tactics.

First things first, you will need to get accustomed to setting meetings on a calendar with a few reminders. This basic technique can greatly increase the chance of something happening. Coming with a structured agenda will also help because you will make certain that you're both on the same page and you can make a good impression. If your manager doesn't have something to say, it is not always a bad thing. I generally take it as reason to believe that your going in the right direction. Perhaps your on the right track and you need to follow through with your plans. If that is still not enough, just simply ask for the feedback of what you can be doing better. No one is going to be upset that you're asking question, if they are then that should say something about the work place culture.

Lastly, if you're doing well your results can and will be undeniable and the team will probably want to keep you around. At the very least you can build your experience and be a proven self starter with ambition. Take a look at some job descriptions and you will soon notice this is a skill that very standard especially as your move up into your greatness. Remember you were hired to do a job not simply hired to be told what to do. If you're manager knew exactly what to do, then they might not have hired you. You're education and experience have landed you in your position and it wasn't pure skeptic luck.

Take life by the horns and move forward with confidence towards your greatness. Until next time, keep pushing towards the greatness that resides within.