No advice on how to improve

Submitted by Adam Bob
in
Manager Tools Trinity
Hello! I just received my 1 on 1 to review before I meet my boss on Monday to discuss it. I am VERY pleased with what has been written but it does not have a single negative comment or give me any indication of where to improve. From past experience when I discuss my improvement areas with my boss I get the same response.... "to continue what I am doing". Do you have any advice on how to 'drag' my improvement areas out of him? I do have a mentor in a different part of the company that is helping me explore my development areas but I'm worried incase I've missed something. Regards, Gareth
Submitted by Ezra Robison on Friday June 13th, 2008 1:16 pm

Gareth,

I'm curious: do you have a clear sense of what you want your next position to be? Based on your post below, I would guess that your boss is happy with you in your current role and isn't really thinking about losing you. But if your boss was thinking in terms of future promotions, s/he would probably have a different answer.

You mention having a mentor who is someone other than your boss. Do you feel like you get good advice on what skills to build from your mentor?

Cheers,
JG

Submitted by Adam Bob on Friday June 13th, 2008 3:19 pm

[quote="jgfellow"]Gareth,

I'm curious: do you have a clear sense of what you want your next position to be? Based on your post below, I would guess that your boss is happy with you in your current role and isn't really thinking about losing you. But if your boss was thinking in terms of future promotions, s/he would probably have a different answer.

You mention having a mentor who is someone other than your boss. Do you feel like you get good advice on what skills to build from your mentor?

Cheers,
JG[/quote]

I have a clear sense of what I want, to lead a group of people and to climb that old management ladder.

I know my boss is keen to push me up that ladder but is also keen to keep hold of me, bit of push and pull. My boss has certainly allowed me to take on more responsibility and get involved with different work areas but it is just the lack of feedback I don't like. My boss is great (now) its just this feedback thing.

My mentor is amazing and is highlighting areas that I would never of considered, he has also offered to 'open doors' that I may not be able to.

I do not however work with my mentor and met after I took him up on an offer if I ever needed any help or guidance.

Submitted by Ezra Robison on Sunday June 15th, 2008 9:33 am

So I guess the question I should have asked first was: Are you satisfied with your rating (e.g. did you get a 5 out of 5, or something like that?).

If the answer is "no," then some simple advice would be to ask your boss "what skills do I need to build or improve to get a higher or perfect rating?"

If the answer is yes, I can continue my original line of thought, which was to say ask your your boss something like "what skills do I need to build or improve to be considered for a promotion?"

It may seem like these questions are duplicative of what you get from your mentor, but since your boss has a better sense of your work product, I think that you'll get a different, and possibly valuable answer.

The unfortunate truth is that your boss may not be putting in much effort to thinking about these questions (or s/he would have already offered better advice).

Good luck! I'd love to hear if you found this advice helpful.

Cheers,
JG

Submitted by Tom Hausmann on Sunday June 15th, 2008 10:09 am

Hmmm. Perhaps give some thought to putting yourself in your boss' shoes. Ask, "What strategic objectives exist for our division based on the company strategic plan?" In short, expand your thinking to the entire division (rather than simply your position)

We learn in the forums that we "cannot manage 'up'" yet spotting opportunities to solve bigger issues could be a growth area.

Submitted by BJ Marshall on Tuesday June 17th, 2008 8:38 am

Is there a part of his job that your boss doesn't like to do that you could take on? It would help your boss by offloading his un-fun tasks, but it could give you a broader experience.

BJ

Submitted by Richard Miska on Friday June 20th, 2008 5:10 pm

I have definitely been in the "keep doing what you're doing" position. It is awfully frustrating.

I agree with tlhausmann. Work on the division's strategic goals.

If you won't likely get much more out of the conversation with your boss then have it with yourself. What more can I be doing to reach my goals, my boss's goals, his boss's goals?

Submitted by Chris Donnachie on Friday June 20th, 2008 7:33 pm

I would suggest that you find out your boss’s targets/goals. Target your goals accordingly and you should acquire tasks to stretch you.
Chris