In my job as a career coach, a lot of people who I work with tell me that,

They are not getting along with their manager; in fact, this is often one of the reasons they seek me out.

 

So, in today’s episode. 

 

I thought I would deal with and discuss how to have more productive career discussions with your manager.

 

Hello and a very warm welcome to Episode No 60 of ‘Your Bravo Career’

My name is Mark Crossfield, I’m a Professional Career Coach / helping you to love your job and build a great career.  

 

How you can enjoy what you are doing day each day at work

and how to build a great career along the way.

Introduction

 

Welcome everybody to Episode no 60

 

Today, I will discuss how to have more productive career discussions with your manager.

 

As I say, a lot of my clients report having difficult relationships with their managers. 

 

And this can be detrimental for your career because you manager is often in a very good position to support you in your career. 

 

And, at worse, they can interfere with your progress …

 

So, I’ve got some good actionable content for your today.

 

However, before I jump into dealing with the actual career discussions and how you go about doing that, it’s important to understand that the process is much easier when you already have a good working relationship with your manager.

 

After all, studies have shown that having a positive relationship with your manager is associated with increased job satisfaction and employee engagement. A Gallup study from 2017 found that only about 30% of employees feel engaged in their work and that having a good relationship with one's immediate supervisor is a key driver of engagement. 

 

Additionally, a study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that employees who reported having a positive relationship with their manager were more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and to stay with their current employer.

 

So, let’s start there. How can you improve your working relationship with your manager?

 

Well, one key component to better work relations with your manager is understanding their perspective. Your manager has a unique set of responsibilities and pressures, and it's important to take that into account when communicating and working with them.

 

One of the things that I've found helpful is to try and put myself in my manager's shoes. Think about the challenges they're facing and the goals they're trying to achieve. That helps you to understand where they're coming from and to be more patient when things don't go as planned.

 

It's also important to remember that your manager is a human being, just like you. They have their own strengths and weaknesses, and they may not always make the best decisions. 

 

And I know, sometimes it can feel like that’s often the case, I’ve had those managers as well …

 

But by understanding their perspective, you can better navigate any challenges that may arise.

 

Another key component to having better work relations with your manager is effective communication. Your manager can't read your mind, so it's important to be clear and direct when communicating with them.

 

So, for example, maybe you’ve been thinking for months that you would like a pay increase and you’ve been silently having a downer on your manager for them not realising this.

 

Well, guess what. Your manager probably doesn’t know that you have been ruminating about your pay all this time. You haven’t communicated this to them.

 

So, one suggestion here is to set up regular check-ins with your manager. That way, you can discuss any issues that may be coming up and work together to find solutions. It also helps to set clear goals and expectations for each work area or project so you are both on the same page.

 

Also, if you do have important things you want to discuss, like your pay, you can do that as well.

 

And it's also important to remember to listen actively when communicating with your manager. It's easy to get caught up in your own thoughts and ideas, but by truly listening to your manager and considering their feedback, you can build a more effective working relationship.

 

Ok, that’s all fine and dandy, you’re thinking but what about when the relationship gets tested in some way. How do you manage a conflict situation for example?

 

Well, let’s deal with that because that might be relevant to your career discussion later down the line.

 

One of the things that I've found helpful is to approach conflicts in a calm and professional manner. Instead of getting defensive, try to understand your manager’s perspective and, if you can, find common ground. And if things get heated, take a step back and come back to the conversation later when emotions have cooled down.

 

And it's also important to remember that conflicts can often be an opportunity for growth and learning. By approaching them in a constructive way, you can not only improve your work relations with your manager but also improve your own skills and abilities.

 

 

OK, so now let’s turn our attention to how you can have better conversations about your career with your manager.

 

Given what I said early about understanding your manager’s perspective, one of the things that I've found helpful is understanding the company's goals and strategy. This helps you to understand where your manager's priorities lie and how your career goals align with those priorities.

 

It's also important to remember that your manager is not only interested in your career growth but also in how your development can benefit the company. By understanding their perspective, you can better articulate how your career goals can also contribute to the company's objectives.

 

Another key component to having effective career conversations with your manager is preparation. Before the conversation, take the time to reflect on your career aspirations and how they align with the company's goals. Be ready to articulate your goals, interests and strengths.

 

A good way you can do this is to prepare a development plan. This should include specific goals and steps that you want to take to achieve those goals. It also helps to have concrete examples of how your development can contribute to the company's objectives.

 

I personally think this is a key, so let me repeat that.

 

It helps to have concrete examples of how your development can contribute to the company objectives.

 

Of course, not all career aspirations can be met immediately. But by understanding your manager's perspective and being prepared, you can better manage expectations and find a way to achieve your career goals.

 

So, the key thing is to be realistic about what can be achieved and in what time frame. It also helps to understand that there might be other alternatives to achieve your goals, such as taking on additional responsibilities, cross-functional projects or learning opportunities. So, be as flexible with your career plans and ideas as you can.

 

And, getting a bit meta here, it's also important to remember that career development is a continuous process, and by having regular career conversations with your manager, you can stay aligned on your goals, progress and future opportunities. 

In other words, try not to focus too much on the short term and think bigger picture for you and your organisation.

 

Ok, that just about wraps up this episode on how to have productive career discussions with your manager. I hope these suggestions are helpful.

 

Remember, having effective and productive career conversations with your manager starts with having a good working relationship from the beginning. I’ve talked about how to do that.

 

After that, it takes preparation, understanding and realistic expectations. By being prepared, understanding your manager's perspective and being flexible, you can create a clear path to achieve your career aspirations and also support the company's objectives.

 

This win-win approach to career discussions with your manager will ultimately give you the best chance of success.

So, I hope all that is helpful.

 

Your call to action is to take these suggestions on board, plan your next meeting with your manager, and see if you can have a much more productive career discussion.

 

If you are unsure and still need help, email at mark@bravocoaching.co.uk and we can have a conversation.

 

By the way, you can find today’s show notes at bravocoaching.co.uk/podcast.

 

 

If you are interested in working with me, you can book a free discovery call on my website.

 

If you haven’t already subscribed, why not do that now. I’ve got a special guest on the next podcast who I’m excited to talk with. I think you will enjoy the conversation as well …

  

Have a wonderful week and I will speak to you again in a couple of weeks time.

 

Bye for now.