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FROM: JUL-AUG 2008 ISSUE | BY MERGE GUPTA-SUNDERJI
Received via e-mail:
Dear Merge,
I have been in my job for almost two years. I’ve worked really hard to build a good relationship with my boss and to demonstrate that I deserve a promotion. But now I hear she’s leaving to become the manager of another division in the company. My new boss will be someone I have never met. I feel like all my hard work has been in vain. Now I’ll have to start all over again with the new guy, and I feel like I’m never going to get that promotion!
– Ticked-off in Toronto
There will be times in your career when you will find yourself having to work with a new manager. In order to develop a positive working relationship with this new person, you will have to learn about him, understand his preferences and quirks, and establish your credibility in your role once again. Frustrating? No doubt. But your ultimate career success depends on how well you build relationships with the people around you, and that most definitely includes your boss.
When such a situation happens, you can, like Ticked-off in Toronto, allow the frustration to get to you, or you can take control and proactively position yourself in the best possible light for future success.
First, remember that your working relationships are not just with one person, they are with a cross-section of people across your organization. You should have a professional network that goes beyond your supervisor. Just because your previous boss has moved on does not mean that you have to start from scratch. Seek out others in your organization with whom you have worked successfully and continue to actively invest in those relationships. Put the word out that you are seeking your next assignment, or new challenges. Spread the message through your network.
Second, proactively schedule an “introductory meeting” with the new boss. Your goal is to learn more about each other. Use this time to:
- Explain what you do and how it fits into the big picture. Be sure to highlight a few of your major (and preferably recent) accomplishments.
- Find out what your boss’ objectives and key issues are – what is going to be driving her actions in the coming year? As you listen, think about what you can do to help further her goals. Making your boss look good makes you look good!
- Learn more about the boss’ style. Is she a big picture or a detail person? Does she prefer to work with in-depth background information or summarized recommendations? How often would she like to be updated on initiatives that you are managing? Don’t be afraid to ask specific questions about your boss’ working style. Listening and acting on the answers will set you well on the path to repeated success.
- Share your career aspirations. Don’t assume that your new boss is aware of discussions you were having with your previous manager about next assignments or a promotion. But phrase it diplomatically and without rancor. Getting angry about your rotten luck with someone who didn’t contribute to the problem won’t position you for future success; being open and honest in a professional and well-informed manner will.
Third, be alert to situations where you can be of assistance. Remember, the new boss is … well, new. He doesn’t know the background on every issue that’s going to come up. As old issues undoubtedly rear their ugly heads, offer to provide insights. You have the advantage of knowledge gained over time in the department. Offer to share it. But don’t be hurt or offended if the boss turns down your offer; some people need to muddle through things on their own. The very act of making the offer is what really counts.
Fourth, keep in touch with your old boss. If you’ve invested time and energy into building a positive relationship and a good reputation, then your previous manager is now a critical enabler in your professional network. And by virtue of being in a different area of the organization, she can help you expand your network. View this as an opportunity to tap into prospects in a larger system. Change your perspective: your boss hasn’t left you high and dry; instead, she has the key to doors you couldn’t previously access.
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