Managers Can be Selfish

Managers Can be Selfish - Is Yours?

Why do employees leave their job? The most frequent response to that question is that the employee is unhappy with their manager. Why is that?

There are many reasons why managers are ineffective. Some managers lack the skills to be a manager, some don’t value their role as a manager, while others may be just unapproachable and hard to work with.

I believe that poor managers are also very selfish!

Your Success is My Success – Many managers see their employees as their way to reach their performance goals. Of course, part of your job is to help your manager meet their goals. However, good managers recognize your individual contributions and will make any win a team win. Be proud of your individual contributions and take credit where credit is due.

Keep Your Head Down and Work Harder – Staying focused is always good if it makes you more efficient and effective. Your manager should be looking for new assignments and give you the flexibility to explore the boundaries of your role, leading to development opportunities. The same old grind, day in and day out, will not prepare you for new career possibilities.  Challenge your manager for assignments that will grow your role and expand your career.

Manager or Mentor – Inherently, the role of a manager is to keep you in your role, NOT to help you seek other opportunities within the firm or outside of it. Good managers will coach you in being most effective in your current role. If you are looking for career opportunities, a mentor is best. A mentor will help you in your current role, but their focus should be on supporting you in exploring your “next role”, one that is aligned with your longer-term career ambition.

Finally, managers do matter! One of the most important factors in determining your career success is working for a person you respect—someone that will challenge you, recognize you, and promote you.