Getting Out of the Trap

In an earlier blog (January 4, 2019), we talked about the danger of listening only to your manager when you start a new job. But how do you tell your manager you’re not planning to do exactly what she wants?

First, agree that changes are necessary, and suggest you do a listening tour to create buy-in. Assure her that you won’t take forever!

If she’s uneasy, suggest that since you’re new, a listening tour will help you learn about the people and the organization and build relationships and trust. Remind her that successful execution depends on stakeholders being part of creating the strategy.

When the listening tour is over, review your findings and ideas with your manager. Focus on areas where you both agree and make these the starting point for your change plan. Ask for her support selling the change to the organization. For example, announcements of changes could come from you jointly and/or she could attend meetings where you are discussing the changes.

Listening to all key stakeholders is essential to successfully entering a new leadership position. Be sure your manager fully understands this. Then work to get her buy in for the change strategy you develop and her engagement in its implementation. Taking these steps will help ease any initial or lingering concerns she might have when you didn’t jump in and do exactly what she wanted at the start!

Co-authored with Linda Keegan, lindakeeganconsulting@gmail.com