When it comes to career progression and growth for managers, there is a lot of advice on growing your team and developing leaders. However, focusing on making your manager successful plays a big role in your growth too.
Know your manager’s priorities
If you don’t know what your manager does all day, ask them what their priorities are so that you can gain a broader context
If you know what’s top of mind for them you can even proactively suggest solutions to problems they care about
If you know you can tackle something that’s on their plate, offer help. You don’t have to wait for them to assign it to you
Proactively share updates
Regularly share concise updates from your area and the challenges you are tackling
It’ll help them talk about your team in larger forums more intelligently
If you know they are attending an important meeting, proactively ask if they need any specific updates from your area
Don’t blindside your manager
If you are attending a broader meeting with your manager, don’t surprise them in front of their cross-functional partners, peers, or their boss.
If you plan to share new information give them a heads up
Incorporating their feedback beforehand will help you anyways
There is a lot on their plate
Always assume they are way busier than you are
They show up 5-10 min late for a 1-1 there is a reason for it
They didn’t respond to your quick question on Slack, there is a reason for it
Simplify things for them
If you are not getting clear direction on topics you are discussing with them, check if you are sharing too much unstructured information.
Synthesize it, and share a summary. Simplify the situation for them. Framing the problem in a right way is very important
Understand what type of data representation works for your manager – spreadsheets? 1 pager pre-read? Figjam?
When you keep your manager’s success top of mind instead of yours, you’ll automatically start thinking broader than your role. This helps you prep for the next level. Your manager will become your partner and they’ll start advocating for you.
