BLUF - Feeling like my manager is not giving me good quality feedback and more importantly not building the relationship / taking interest in my career. How do I start to make that happen with her?
I've been in this position 6 - 7 months in a new company, same industry as before. Its going well. Got a decent review. And I get a long with my boss, she listens to and supports my ideas, doesn't jump all over the mistakes I've made, pays attention when I speak with her.
The issue is that I find her very difficult to engage her on stuff that is not task-related. I've asked her to go to lunch two or three times... the last time about a month ago she said she would set something up but has not. She doesn't tend to pass along information freely. The department is very flat - her has the director has 13 or 14 (!) directs reporting into her. I get it, she's busy.
I'm sort of frustrated - while I'm capable of coming in and doing my job (which is what she expects, I think, at one pooint she said she is rarely going to come and get me, I have to go see her) after 6 months , 9 months its a bit isolating. I get along fine with the other managers.
I have my goal setting coming up in the next couple of weeks so I'm wondering if I can / how I should address this... Should I say that one of the things that really energized me is making people and information connections and I feel like I'm not really learning much about the company - looking for her to help me do this?
I think if I can frame it as something I want or I'm desirous of... of course that's a lot better than saying she's not doing something.
Hoping to get some thoughts from other MT'ers.
Listening to crickets....
Amazing lack of response here. Let me give a couple pointers.
Manager Tools has a podcast series called Manager one-on-ones. The primary point is you do not manager your manger but a weekly status update will help build connection IF they are willing.
Secondly, it is not uncommon for Manager Tools managers to be dissatisfied with the way they are being managed. I am not able to discern whether we are more enlightened or simply believe ourselves to be so. Either way, it can be frustrating. Accept the reality. do your best for the company, look for other ways of connecting with your supervisor and be patient.
Good luck.
Thanks MF, sometimes I give
Thanks MF, sometimes I give my manager a status update - could do it more regularly.
In my last job I definitely saw that you can't really change a boss, so yes I'll look for other ways and take the long view.