I’ve been working in Contact/Call Centers since for most of my professional life and I’ve had a fair amount of success. I found Manager Tools podcast around the same time I got my first job in Management. I followed the guidance and I saw a lot of success in the form of quantifiable results. This advice has always worked for me.
When the economy took a downturn the program I was working for was closed and I became an individual contributor again. There hasn’t been any attrition in management so I haven’t been given the opportunity for promotion. The company knows what I’ve been capable of and I’ve been moved laterally several times to handle different business needs. I’ve been working in different roles for different managers all with their own idiosyncrasies and I can tell that they’ve really never heard any guidance like this. Most recently I’m on a UAT team and I’m struggling with scope that isn’t managed optimally and what I consider insufficient coaching in my role, this has gotten frustrating.
I know to never give my manager feedback but I could really do with better management especially in this role. Because of my previous accomplishments people expect a lot of me but I’m not sure how to deliver with my level of experience and the lack of guidance I’m getting. I don’t mean to complain but things that I consider basic management just aren’t getting done. I’ve never gotten a “One on One”, feedback is very rare and when I get it its always negative, I’m not being coached at all. It feels like I’m in a sink or swim situation with no background in what I’m doing.
I’ve worked for this company for seven years now and I love it but my frustration level is really high. I’m not sure what I can do other than suggest the podcast and website. How can I handle this situation and keep my reputation in tact?
I felt the same way at my
I felt the same way at my last company until I listened to a recent cast about preparing for YOUR review. The advice from Mark was simply to file as many things with your delta file as possible. If the company/others are smart they will learn from your success. As others see your successes they will ask you for tips. Even if others don't embrace your techiniques immediately, hopefully you will get promoted a couple of times (eventually) to the degree where you can have influence over others and they can embrace the habits you learned from MT_CT.
At the same time, I totally understand your frustration, that the advice is simply to be patient.
If you truly are frustrated, perhaps you may want to consider a change to another company. My new job isn't totally of the MT ilk, but it's much better than my last one. My boss has monthly performance management meetings with me (not one on one's but it's a start!). He gives me some feedback. Bottom line is that you are only one new manager or perhaps new company away from getting better guidance.
Good luck!