I am a manager at a specialty store and my boss tells me that I need to continue to grow as a leader and step up.

20 Comments

1. Alexis GladstoneMarch 13,2024 at 12:43PM UTC

   I agree that if they can't coach you and give you ideas of what they mean, it's hard for you to step up and grow. I don't know if you're looking for ideas to demonstrate you're stepping up but here are some:

   Are you leading by example, for instance following all of the policies for how to behave on the sales floor? Are you holding staff accountable? Are they hitting sales goals? Are they doing the extra things like keeping the store clean and merchandise in order and inviting? Are you providing feedback and holding coaching conversations when needed? Are you managing conflict if there is any? Is merchandise being ordered in a timely manner?

   Don't know if this helps but I hope so!

2. AnonymousMarch 13,2024 at 12:53PM UTC

   It’s a terrible answer and they are not a good manager. I would brainstorm a list of things that you think you could do/would be willing to do and share it with them. Say something along the lines of “I know you want me to grow as a leader, this is what that looks like for me but I want to know if this is consistent with what you are expecting.” Then make an action plan with specific items and timelines as to when those items will be completed. Either send email updates regularly or bring it as an agenda item for regular meetings. You can do this!!

3. AnonymousMarch 13,2024 at 12:54PM UTC

   When asking for guidance from your leader they need to be able to articulate what you are aspiring to learn or grow. Leaders develop leaders. Yes, it’s not an answer. I’d reframe it and tell your boss that you want to meet the expectation but need more insight of where you are failing with examples.

4. AnonymousMarch 13,2024 at 1:22PM UTC

   It's always good to have leaders in roles who have a vision on how to add more value to their role and business. You could look around at other similar businesses and see what they're doing. Not all business owners are created equal and just have a cpy for that alone and hire people to help it grow. Think E-Commerce, TikTok Shops, Using Social Media Platforms, etc. IMO. It would have been nice to learn if they had any input, I get it.

5. AnonymousMarch 13,2024 at 1:56PM UTC

   Ask them to define business goals and objectives or to set expectations so you can be clear of what they want. Leadership is a skill that you can develop over time. Do you manage a team? Or are you only responsible for operations? There are plenty of online resources to help you navigate your leadership role.

6. yvette finley PHRMarch 13,2024 at 2:14PM UTC

   Workplaces sometime come with unexplained, uncommunicated yet expected expectations. This has been the real world experience for me. You are expected to conduct yourself a certain way but no one tells you what that way is. Believe it or not, you are now in an position of advantage because someone brought it to your attention. Some people in leadership roles will let you continue to be underdeveloped and never offer a syllable of guidance. Pick an area and dive in- communication, scheduling, ordering, employee engagement, customer service, vendor relationships. With all due respect- do something besides ponder what they mean by growing as a leader/step up.

7. AnonymousMarch 13,2024 at 2:20PM UTC

   You're right. It is a ridiculous answer. If they genuinely wanted to develop your leadership potential, they would be looking for tasks or training to help position you that way. These include asking you to help train a new employee or suggesting a class or seminar to attend. They were probably given a directive in their evaluation to begin training or grooming leaders within their organization because they were perhaps asked to name one or two who could take over in their absence (standard management evaluation question) and couldn't answer. Your manager doesn't know how to do this, so you can start looking for and volunteering for things like this. If it is a leadership seminar during work hours, you could ask if you can attend and if the company would pay the seminar fee since it is in line with their directive. Volunteer to lead projects or help onboard new employees by training them in the company's computer systems. On the same note, start mentoring newer employees and expand your skills by gaining certifications (the company will pay for these many times, but ask first). Good luck, and I hope you get answers soon.

8. AnonymousMarch 13,2024 at 3:26PM UTC

   I would look at this as an opportunity to grow and expand along your career path. Come up with some ideas focusing on what you perceive as the pain points and/or growth areas for the store. Put together a plan for how you will manage/carry out improvements/expansions over the next 3-6-12 months. Present this to the boss and see what they say. I would do this within the next week to show you are being proactive. Regardless, keep moving forward with building your career despite the vague guidance from this boss. The ability to build a business plan to improve operations or grow business, etc., is a good skill set to include on your resume. So win-win for putting effort into this.

9. Terrie McWhorterMarch 13,2024 at 3:39PM UTC

   Reminds me of childhood when I would ask the teacher how to spell a word and they would say, look it up in the dictionary....well if I knew how to spell it, I wouldn't have to look it up.

   I honestly think this response gives you cart blanche to do anything outside the box! What I think they are looking for is for YOU to decide how you are going to step outside of the box. Determine how you can grow! Then take the leap. Find out things that you can do to boost morale, boost sales, boost activity in the store...all of this boosting encourages bosses that you are interested in the company. Also....look for managerial or leadership trainings that you could attend...then tell them that THEY told you to figure it out, attending a class or conference will help you with that. Best of luck.

10. AnonymousMarch 13,2024 at 5:48PM UTC

    Managers usually drive store traffic with changes in layout, signage, promotions, online marketing, emoloyee programs and incentives, and providing reporting that tracks the success of these programs,

    Study and draft models and programs aimed at better managing your current market position and growth initiatives to expand reach.

11. AnonymousMarch 13,2024 at 7:24PM UTC

    I think you need to figure out what you really want to do, then put together a plan for your career in this store and define some things that can benefit the business and also you. Your manager is allowing you to plan some goals for yourself and the alternative is being micromanaged and not being happy. Embrace this for you! Perhaps a campaign to drive customers, specials, etc. Make it something that brings in revenue if it is retail because that is where they will hopefully reward your participation and success with more $$$.

12. Regina BrownMarch 14,2024 at 3:19AM UTC

    Because they have given the answer "that's for you to figure out", this means several things.

    1. They don't know what they are looking for in a leader.
    2. They are looking for you to be the "fall or bad guy" in some future unpleasant situation.
    3. They are looking for new ideas and looking to you to put some "life" in the environment.
13. AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 12:25PM UTC

    Normally means they don’t have a clue either!

14. AnonymousMarch 14,2024 at 11:55PM UTC

    in my experience i'm not even sure they actually know! But they are sure to tell you when you've got it wrong...

15. AnonymousMarch 15,2024 at 2:47AM UTC

    You're the manager, so I'm sure you have some ideas ...so I would go with those ideas.

16. AnonymousMarch 15,2024 at 6:06PM UTC

    Update: I gave new ideas and ways to grow the business and hire new employees and try to retain them with fun contests, ect to make it fun work place. And they told me that's not what they are looking for and instead said again that I needed to step up. But wouldn't give any examples when I asked what they were actually looking for.

17. JJMarch 18,2024 at 6:07AM UTC

    This “step up” phrase — is this being said in a friendly, encouraging tone?

    When I hear that it makes me think of someone who is slacking, not doing their part. Do they want new ideas or do they want you to work more? Are you working as much/as hard as they are (or as much as they think you should be)? The vaguely worded suggestion makes me think they want you to come up with something so they can say it was your idea. Like want you to volunteer to come in early or stay late to look like a leader, but they do not want to require it because then they would have to pay you. May be off, but if they were helping you, they would be more helpful.

18. AnonymousMarch 20,2024 at 6:20PM UTC

    It is said in a condensending way. I come in early and am always the last out. They are hardly there. I basically run the shop. All good feedback. I think it's time to leave

19. JJMarch 26,2024 at 11:31PM UTC

    Agree!

20. AnonymousMarch 20,2024 at 12:44PM UTC

    That is nonsense to not give specific feedback and re-direction when you brought them ideas. I would push them for specific metrics for "stepping up" and stick to it; if you can, create an electronic paper trail of what you proposed with a request for specific goals and metrics for their re-direction. I would also dust off the resume and start looking around/networking. Take your great ideas and put them in a nice package you can use to market yourself to new employers.