Morning team, happy Tuesday!
I had a message from one of our In The Making community members, Libby. She said something to me that really struck a chord:
“I think managers get a bad reputation online, and it can sometimes feel like a battle trying to prove you’re not a bad manager, that you’re genuinely trying to be a great leader.”
And she’s right.
As someone who creates leadership content online, I see it constantly in my comments. “Bosses are all on a power trip.” “Middle managers are just pen pushers.”
GRR.
But, I need to help us help ourselves.
I know that most weeks, we’re all just trying to get through the day and tick enough off a to-do list that never seems to shrink. But that means, that conversations that really matter, about trust, expectations, growth and support etc, keep getting pushed to next week. time and time again.
So this week, we’re doing something a little different.
Below are 21 things great managers wish their team knew, but don’t always get the chance to say.
I’m writing it as a list so you can use them as a starting point for a conversation with your team.
Choose the ones you most want your team to hear from you, and say them out loud before Friday.
Quick one before we get into today.
Imagine, 6-weeks from now… Your team brings you problems early, you’ve finally had the conversations you’ve been putting off, and you’re no longer the bottleneck.
That’s what The Strategic Leadership Challenge™ is built for.
It’s 3 minutes a day, with 1 small challenge you can do alongside your work (not adding extra hours into your day). I’ve used this approach with over 20,000 leaders, from Amex to Sony Music.
Doors open next Wednesday, 28 October, and everyone on the waitlist gets early-bird pricing plus a free Day 0 challenge tomorrow, so you’ll get your first win before we even start. More info.
Let’s get back to it…
While this list is written from a manager’s (our) perspective, it’s also a good moment for a bit of reflection too, as some of these are things our own leaders might wish we understood too.
So with that in mind…
21 things your manager wants you to know
If you’re stuck, tell me earlier rather than later. Small problems are easy to fix.
When you bring a problem, bring an idea for a solution too.
I do notice the effort, even when the result isn’t perfect.
If you disagree with something, I’d much rather hear it than have you quietly resent it.
You won’t lose respect by asking questions, but you might by pretending you understood something you didn’t.
If something takes longer than expected, letting me know before the deadline goes a long way.
You don’t need to CC me into everything to prove you’re working.
I’m juggling more context than it probably looks like. If something seems odd, there’s often a reason behind it.
Not every piece of feedback is a huge deal. Sometimes it’s just a small tweak.
I genuinely appreciate it when someone takes initiative without being asked.
When meetings run well, it’s usually because you came prepared.
If something feels frustrating to you, chances are it’s frustrating to me too.
If you tell me what you want to learn or get better at, I’ll look for opportunities to help you practice it.
Your attitude on difficult days has more impact on the team than you might realise.
When you own a mistake quickly, it actually increases my trust in you. Please don’t try to pretend it didn’t happen.
The people who progress fastest are usually the ones who ask for feedback, not just wait for it.
I want you to succeed here. Your growth makes the whole team stronger.
If something feels confusing in a process, it’s probably confusing for others too. Pointing it out helps us improve the system.
The small things you follow through on are often what build the most trust over time.
Sometimes I’m under pressure from above too. I’m doing my best to balance that while still backing the team.
Just like you, I’m learning as I go too.
Drop a comment, I’d love to know which one resonated with you the most and why…
Peace,
H
P.S. Want a nudge to actually have these conversations, not just think about them?
The Strategic Leadership Challenge™ opens next Wednesday, 28 October: six weeks of quick daily challenges to help you lead with more confidence. More info.