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Good Day, everyone!
I work in a 24/7, 365 day hospitality environment as a middle manager. It has been noticed both by me, and by my direct supervisor that I am not managing up well. My schedule is Friday, Saturday, Sunday, from 1pm onwards, and Monday and Tuesday, overnights from 10pm to 7am. The upper level of managment starts their work days at 8am, and typically leaves by 7pm. Our paths cross only when they see me on their way in, and on Fridays, for half an hour, during an ops meeting, in which I rarely participate.
I have made the commitment to come to work "just because" on Thursdays, once a month, so my peers and (more importantly) the supervisors on the next level see me, but I feel that is not enough. What advice can you offer me in managing up, getting my name "out there" and building a positive reputation and relationships.
Thank you,
A.
In what ways are you not
In what ways are you not managing up well?
Are there opportunies to send E-mail or status updates to highlight what you are doing?
In what ways are you not
In what ways are you not managing up well?
Are there opportunies to send E-mail or status updates to highlight what you are doing?
Why are you not participating
Why are you not participating in the ops meeting? What kind of "managing up" do you believe is lacking? Do you have an O3 with your manager? If not, suggest a weekly operations meeting with just him so that you can discuss the work and your team.
Thank you for your reply
Thank you for your replies. I sent status updates nightly to my direct supervisor, and include progress on the projects I work on. I participate in ops once a week, when I am there.
The managing up is for my boss's bosses to see me. It has been mentioned by my supervisor that I am not on the radar as much as he'd like me to be. I have an O3 (of sorts) where weekly, I get negative feedback on my progress.
I worked on project that was successful, and impacted the bottom line positively. However, since I worked mainly behind the scenes (evenings and nights), and since the project was presented by other colleagues, the "messenger" was rewarded, vs. me. The recognition and building of reputation is essential in my organization, not only for myself, but also to make my boss look good, since he hired me and it justifies his actions.
Not sure what else to do, to make a "name" for myself.
Thank you,
A.
Mentoring sessions
One good way to get in front of the person you want is to request some mentoring sessions with them. Make the request palletable by making the request sound very easy e.g. make the request for two mentoring sessions in the next year, or even a one off - this may increase of course but to get the process moving you'll have to make it seem like an easy task for your employer. Once you get in front of this person on a one to one basis, that's your chance to really develop that relationship.
I'd put the request in writing over email and make it impossible to refuse! Suggesting that you would love to benefit from the exprience and talent of the person and that gaining some specific guidance from them would really help in you shaping your career success within the business will almost certainly massage the ego enough to offer you an hour of their time - you're going to have to attend on one of your rest days though I would have thought.
Opportunities can present themselves from a mentoring relationship but it's not a guaruntee. PLAN THE CONVERSATION! Do not attend that meeting without some clarity around what your goals are and make sure you take a list of 4-5 questions to ask as well. You might not need them but unless they are a superstar boss you will be then one that drives the content of the meeting - it's impressive when someone puts themselves in front of you who is driven and organised.
Any questions, let me know.
Simon.