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DrSusanBernstein

343

I help women radiate head-to-toe confidence.

06/23/20 at 5:33PM UTC

Career

Have you ever worked for a boss who liked coaching & developing people?

“I miss working for a manager who enjoys coaching me,” Tori told me. Fortunately, her first manager loved developing people. But her current manager doesn’t. “I really enjoy my work, my teammates, and our clients,” Tori explained. “But I’m considering leaving. My new manager demeans me.” Tori’s a whip-smart rising star who gives her all. Yet her manager constantly finds fault in Tori, instead of tapping into her wealth of talents and insights. Recently, her manager returned a report Tori wrote with unsupported criticisms like “this is dumb,” and “boring.” These are toxic comments. They poison Tori’s good intentions. Tori’s wise to plan an exit. I’ve seen too many people linger in a toxic environment. Over time, this kind of nastiness can make you question, doubt, and second-guess yourself. The longer you stay in an unhealthy environment that harder it is to feel confident. You take the toxicity with you — until you consciously recover from it. If your confidence at work is low due to a toxic boss or culture, I’m launching a Toxic Work Recovery Program, so you can get your mojo and your best self back. Click here to get the scoop on the Toxic Work Recovery Program when it opens: https://bit.ly/2Ns73k1 Now, YOU: Have you ever worked for a manager who loved to develop people?

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Barb Hansen

6.67k

Startup Product, Growth & Strategy

06/23/20 at 8:45PM UTC

I was been very lucky to work for a number of direct managers, dotted line managers and CEOs who were very supportive of me and helped me set myself up for the "next big thing" in my career. These managers where supportive to all of their staff, and if the staff took advantage of their help, then those managers usually really really dug in to help. It was like a virtuous circle -- the manager was supporting and helped open doors and if we (as staff) took advantage of those open doors, the managers kept helping. They are all people that I can reach out to today if I have questions. I have also worked for a few awful bosses and a number of average managers , all managers/bosses make an impression on you but the bad one and the good ones are the ones that stand out eh? Now that I'm a manager, I strive to be like those super-star managers I had in the past -- paying it forward!

DrSusanBernstein

343

I help women radiate head-to-toe confidence.

06/23/20 at 8:54PM UTC

Barb, I especially love what you've said about the "virtuous circle" of support. Wow. That's really something to aspire to, isn't it? How wonderful that you strive to be like those super-star managers who influenced you. I'd love to know: What's a practice or principle you use in your management now that echoes something from one of your previous good managers?

Bethany Reppert

People Person | Problem Solver

06/23/20 at 6:57PM UTC

My manager in 2018 was the best I've ever had! He helped break down the damage that a previous toxic workplace had done and pushed me to regain my confidence. He frequently checked in on me without micromanaging, made himself available for feedback, and was always willing to listen to suggestions for change. He was wonderful, to the point where he encouraged me to apply for new positions and became a reference when we both knew I had reached the glass ceiling at our organization.

DrSusanBernstein

343

I help women radiate head-to-toe confidence.

06/23/20 at 8:52PM UTC

Wow, wow, wow, Bethany! How wonderful that your manager looked out for you and the organization so well. I'd love to know some of the actions he took to repair the damage of the previously toxic workplace. So glad you've had that experience of someone being so supportive to you!

Bethany Reppert

People Person | Problem Solver

06/24/20 at 1:32PM UTC

The most important thing he did was listen and give me space to fail safely. I came from an environment where I had little say in anything outside my role and had been conditioned to squash my own leadership qualities and make no noise. He gave me *opportunities* to work on small independent projects in addition to my regular duties as we got to know each other and I was finding my footing again. I am someone who thrives with a supervisor that knows the balance of micromanaging and support, and was very lucky to find this one!

DrSusanBernstein

343

I help women radiate head-to-toe confidence.

06/25/20 at 9:33PM UTC

I love that your manager listened...and especially that the gave you the space to fail safely. That's stellar!

Aly Brine

1.59k

Helping Corporate Hippies thrive on LinkedIn!

06/23/20 at 6:43PM UTC

Yes! I had a manager who let me take an internship at another company one summer in order to develop professionally! She was great but I still had to have the courage to ask for what I needed and wanted in my career.

DrSusanBernstein

343

I help women radiate head-to-toe confidence.

06/23/20 at 8:50PM UTC

Sounds like you worked for a very supportive manager, Aly! How fortunate. And yes, it's essential to have the courage to ask for what you need and want -- too often, I watch high performers expect that their managers will just hand them key assignments and promotions. Yet asking makes the difference.