By Minessa
One of the most challenging things to do as a manager and as an employee is to manage expectations. I recorded this YouTube video to support you whether you’re juggling the demands of multiple leaders, supporting your staff, or navigating your own workload, hopefully it will spark some ideas for solutions.
Managing Your Manager
First up, we talk about gaining your manager’s buy-in – your first line of defense against overwhelming requests. It’s crucial to evaluate if your supervisor fosters a psychologically safe environment for workload discussions. In the event that they are not, then you may have a different problem to navigate. It is important to have open communication and to understand your own unique work style, especially if it deviates from traditional norms, but it’s not always on you.
Recommended Listening: Stop Shoulding All Over Yourself Podcast Ep88 – Finding Happiness at Work with Robyn Garrett
Communication is King
In that same line, it’s critical to recognize what your workload actually is and keep your supervisor in the loop about your workload and advocating for yourself. Transparent communication builds trust and helps in managing up effectively. Don’t shy away from providing feedback to your manager about their impact on your work style and needs.
Recommended Listening: Commitment to Clockout Series to measure your workload
Navigating Workload & Expectations
Next we dive into the importance of tailoring management styles to individual team members’ capacities and circumstances. So many managers have a one size fits all approach to management, and consequently will see some people thrive under them while others wilt. Historically we’ve always put the onus on the employee, but over the last couple of decades its become apparent that there is more to the conversation, and truly successful managers can balance the myriad priorities set by different departments and stakeholders and how to navigate the personalities influenced by each.
Final Thoughts
The video wraps up with insights on managing boundaries and expectations with various stakeholders. It’s a call to action for creating a more efficient work process by setting appropriate boundaries and redirecting urgencies.