S03E15 : The How Can I Help? Episode

The Leader Learner Podcast

Apr 24 2024 • 37 mins

Check-In:

  • What has recently become less important to you?

Big Ideas:

  • Look at the lattice of the organization, not just the ladder
  • Leap between individual contributor and manager
  • No change of nature between the different levels of managers - shift in intensity, but not the nature of the work
  • Develop a network of people at and around your level
  • At some point you'll be playing the game, so need a wide network to support you
  • How do we define a "good working relationship" with your manager?
  • Being too passive in the relationship with your manager
  • Lack of clarity of expectations and not asking for more clarity
  • Bringing people's reputations into your relationship
  • Confirmation bias - when you see people through the lens you want to
  • Asymmetric power relationships
  • When you think your boss should do something differently - you suffer, not them
  • Relying too heavily on your power of expertise and not your power of connections
  • Managing up connotates teaching your manager how to do their job
  • First step - check your own ego
  • Second step - develop self awareness, know your triggers, what pisses you off about people
  • Third step - Know what motivates you and how your manager aligns or not with those
  • Fourth step - Take the time to develop a relationship
  • Know your external motivators which are context driven
  • The power of working their way gains capital with them and builds trust
  • Prove that you can work in their system
  • Do you known what your boss needs? How can you "manage up" if you don't know what your boss needs?
  • Develop a coaching mindset up toward everyone around you
  • Do you ever ask your boss "How can I help?"
  • Whether we like it or not we are in service to our manager - we aren't just in service to our direct reports
  • Not standing in someone else's shoes for a while
  • Empathy can be dangerous. Compassion is less taxing

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