Michele Licciardello's

Leadership Essentials

๐Ÿค Get your manager’s trust

In the intricate dance of leadership, earning and maintaining your direct manager’s trust is akin to an art form. This article offers a vivid look at practical strategies to achieve this, blending efficient communication and solid leadership principles with storytelling for a more relatable and engaging approach.

Goal

Our aim is twofold: secure your manager’s trust and foster seamless communication, all while staying aligned with leadership goals. Let’s explore this through real-world scenarios.

โœ”๏ธ Dos for Building Trust

1. Communicate Proactively: Emily, a team leader, sends her manager, Jake, a weekly email every Friday. This email includes a succinct summary of her team’s achievements, challenges, and a snapshot of critical KPIs. This ritual has not only kept Jake in the loop but also preempted potential issues.

2. Deliver on Commitments: When Tom promised to enhance his team’s productivity by 15% in three months, he not only achieved it but exceeded the target by 2%. This reliability in meeting commitments significantly bolstered his manager’s trust.

3. Seek Guidance: Sarah often consults her manager, Raj, before making crucial decisions. By seeking his insights, she not only makes well-informed choices but also solidifies Raj’s trust in her judgment.

4. Show Initiative: Alex noticed a repetitive process that could be automated, saving hours of manual work. He presented a well-thought-out plan to his manager, demonstrating his initiative and foresight.

5. Be Transparent: Linda faced unexpected roadblocks in a project. Instead of hiding them, she openly discussed the issues with her manager, Mark, and together they worked on a solution. This transparency fortified their trust.

6. Respect and Support: Even when disagreeing with her manager’s approach, Priya always showed respect and supported his decisions in public. She reserved her constructive feedback for private discussions, thereby maintaining a professional rapport.

7. Align with Goals: Kevin always ensures his team’s projects align with the broader company objectives, thereby reinforcing his manager’s perception of him as a strategic thinker.

8. Demonstrate Adaptability: When the company underwent a major policy shift, Maria quickly adapted her team’s strategy to align with the new direction, showcasing her flexibility and resilience.

9. Solicit Feedback: John regularly asks for feedback from his manager, Elaine, demonstrating his commitment to continuous improvement and growth.

10. Exceed Expectations: Chloe consistently delivers more than what’s expected in her role, like taking on extra responsibilities during a team member’s absence, which impresses her manager.

โŒ Don’ts to Avoid

1. Overpromise and Underdeliver: Nick once promised a project delivery in an unrealistically short time, leading to a missed deadline and loss of trust.

2. Keep Your Manager in the Dark: Avoiding the mistake Nick made, Alice ensures she always keeps her manager informed, especially when there are potential delays.

3. Assume Authority: John learned the hard way not to overstep his bounds when he made a decision beyond his authority, leading to a company-wide issue.

4. Blame Others: Instead of pointing fingers when a project went awry, Jessica took responsibility and worked on rectifying the situation.

5. Ignore Feedback: Initially defensive about criticism, Mike eventually learned to value and act on his manager’s feedback, which greatly improved his performance.

6. Bypass Communication Channels: Emma respects the established communication hierarchy, knowing that circumventing it can lead to misunderstandings and distrust.

7. Resist Change: Faced with new software implementation, Carlos embraced the change rather than resisting it, showing his adaptability.

8. Underestimate Reporting: Laura makes sure to provide regular and detailed reports to her manager, ensuring transparency and consistent communication.

9. Lack Accountability: Taking a lesson from a past mistake, Sam now owns up to his decisions and their outcomes, enhancing his credibility.

10. Act Unilaterally: Before making a significant decision, Zoe always consults with her team and her manager, fostering a culture of collaboration.

Conclusion

Gaining and maintaining your manager’s trust is an ongoing journey that demands consistent effort, strategic thinking, and a proactive approach. By embracing these practical examples and incorporating them into your leadership style, you can build a strong, transparent, and mutually beneficial relationship with your manager, setting the stage for a successful and rewarding career.