Hi,
I learned last week that a co-worker and I are being moved to a new internal organization within my company. We will also be changing office locations. I know the Director and Executive that I will be reporting to but not my immediate manager. The immediate manager will have my co-worker and I as directs.
I have been an individual contributor in this company (IT division of a large bank) for 2.5 years. Within the IT division (which was +8000 staff), I'm moving from Sub-Division A to Sub-Division B.
What questions can I ask and what documents can I prepare to start things off well with the new boss? My previous managers have not been into 1/1s in any kind of regular way so I want to take the effort to start things off right
Questions:
1) Are you a reader or a listener?
2) What are your goals in this department? What can I do to advance those goals?
3) How can I contribute to Sub-Division B's goals?
Documents:
1) Summary of current work and projects. I have something along these lines drafted right now but I could use some coaching in how to present and draft this document.
2) Summary of my goals: these have been stuck in limbo to some degree pending the hire of the new boss. My day to day work is changing - major pieces of my work are staying in Sub-Division A. Should I state what I'm currently doing and explain the kinds of work that I'm interested in getting involved in? (I'm wary of simply stating that I have time on my hands - when I did in 2012, I got handed some low value, low interest work. I'm looking to be more strategic this time.)
Background: In my 2.5 years here, this will be the 3rd boss appointed to cover my function. I've no idea if that much change is usual but there it is.
New Boss
I'd go easy on the psycho-analysis for a start. I'm sure within a week or two you'll figure out what kind of profile the new manager has and how he prefers to communicate. Just observe how he communicates with you and others.
Question 1 - It's a good idea to get info on the wider strategy/goals for your team/department, and your role in that.
Question 2 + 3 - How can you contribute to/advance the team's goals? Do the work your manager asks you to do and do it effectively. It may be better to skip this kind of question and instead work on understanding your new remit and responsibilities.
Documents. When capturing current work + projects, this depends how much you are carrying over from your old role into the new one. If you are carrying over some workload/remit into the new role I assume this will have already been communicated/discussed/negotiated with the new manager. If not then the new manager absolutely needs to know what you are carrying over and how much of your time it will be taking.
You will have time on your hands and your manager probably already has a plan on how he is going to utilise you within his team. If I ever have spare capacity I make sure my boss knows it, it shows that I have my own work under control, that I am not 'coasting', and that I am willing to take on more / help him / the team as needed.
I wouldn't talk about what I enjoy at first. I would simply focus on what is needed from you in your new role. The issue here is that there may be no options. Imagine you tell your boss you really enjoy working on A then he tells you that most of your time will be on Z. Uncomfortable pause!
If you do get 1-on-1s this time then you can use this to highlight areas of work that you would like to get involved with. Initially, however, your first priority should be showing full commitment to your new role and your new manager and demonstrating that you are effective within your new role.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Jonno