I chose to kick off this series with an important topic that contributes heavily to one’s motivation and productivity, which is the relationship with the management.
The challenge is 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿, 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆?
One of the main causes of demotivation is a lack of management support, leading to feelings of unappreciation and team tension due to perceived injustices.
𝗪𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.
While I could write extensively about the causes and effects of these conflicts, in this post, I want to focus specifically on expectations.
𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳: What does your manager expect from you? Not the company—your manager specifically.
Let me give you an example, you might face challenges in your work, such as a customer refusing to sign off, even though you believe you delivered exactly what was scoped.
A classic reaction might be to escalate to your manager, who then escalates to another manager who can influence the customer. This often leads to a counter-escalation, and before you know it, the whole organization is caught in a rabbit hole.
When you escalate, you present a problem. Guess what?! Your manager expects you to either resolve these issues or come up with suggestions for solutions to discuss.
You were hired as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), and your CV indicates that you possess the leadership skills necessary to influence and collaborate effectively.
Everyone has their own challenges (“monkeys on their backs”), and managers likely have large teams. They don’t want everyone bringing their monkeys to them.
On that specific track, 𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲
✴️ Always connect with your manager and make sure that you understand two things, the role success criteria and what the manager expects from you.
✴️ Build your brand inside the company on two main pillars: Accountability & Ownership.
✴️ Don’t spread negativity, especially in team meetings.
✴️ Reduce escalations to your manager. Be a solid filter for these issues using your leadership and technical skills.
✴️ Always come prepared to team meetings with suggestions for improvements and potential solutions for unresolved issues.
✴️ Never underestimate the power of social/Soft skills and the ability to connect with people. If you are not a natural practitioner, make sure to have that in your training pack.
𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝘆. When you establish mutual trust between yourself and your manager, you build the essential foundation for working, growing, and flourishing.
What strategies have you found effective in maintaining trust with your manager? How do you stay motivated in challenging situations?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!