The day comes that all of us dread. The manager that hired us has moved on to a new opportunity either voluntarily or by reorganization. The relationship has been one of mentor and mentee. We have been in the inner circle of the team with access to our managers confidences and guidance. We never worried about corporate politics because we were protected, even cherished. Now we find ourselves unprepared to be jockeying for position and visibility with a new boss. What are the best steps to take in this situation?
First, stop to consider that sometimes vacating the field of play is the better part of valor. It might be a good idea to get out while you can rather than staying put to see what happens. Assuming that your new boss is also new hire, you have time to arrange a lateral move within your organization before he/she comes on board. This further assumes that the company is big enough to do that and you arent too specialized.
Move over for the new team
Making a pre-emptive move protects us from the risk of being viewed negatively by the new boss because we were so closely aligned with our former manager. Typically, a new boss often wants to bring in their own team which requires making room by moving out the former managers team. That means your job may be in jeopardy. In other words, why risk being terminated when you can get out early? If that's not possible then your next best option is to make a concerted effort to manage your relationship with your new boss in the most favorable direction possible.
If this is not an option for various reasons, then how do you create a favored, mentored relationship with a new boss or in the least a modicum of security? Is that even possible? Sure it is, but it takes careful planning, good strategy and a willingness to let go of any residue of loyalty to your former boss.
Go into search mode
Start with research by search Google to uncover background information on your new boss such as previous employers, education, accomplishments, etc. If you are located in Silicon Valley using Link Silicon Valley (www.linksv.com), a networking database, can yield good in-depth information. Find out the kind of company culture your new manager came from. Was it a startup, small privately held company or big established organization? Is the culture different from your company? If so you can count on your manager to try to establish new ways of doing things with a different management style.
Break bread together
The more prepared you can be, the better off you are when you have that first meeting. In fact, finding more information is better including the personal details of family, sports interests, affiliations with groups, etc. If you find yourself in a more social setting such as having lunch with your new boss, you are prepared to bring up and chat about the non-business topics that know would be of interest. This kind of conversation can go a long way towards building rapport, mutual trust and understanding.
The pre-emptive strike
For the first one-on-one business meeting, bring current resume with you. Don't assume that your new manager has had the time to review your employment files. Thats highly unlikely. Anyways walking in with a polished, well-articulated resume makes the best first impression and fills-in details positive details of past work experience. It will give your manager a focus of conversation with you aside from the specifics of your current responsibilities.
Provide the specifics of your position in the form of a one-page, bulleted summary of current roles, and responsibilities. Guide your new managers opinion of you in a favorable direction, by being interested in his/her needs and goals. Let your resume and summary sell your abilities while you focus on figuring out how to be the most helpful and useful in the short-term.
Your new best friend
In fact, asking directly how you can be of help with any immediate needs signals your willingness to be on your new bosss team not just a member of the staff.
Finally, your ability to match your boss's preferred style of communication (email, phone messages, one-page summaries, in-person) and delivery level of detail makes the difference between a distant relationship and becoming a trusted confidant to a your new mentor.
About the author
Patti Wilson, a well known SF Bay Area career coach, owns http://www.careercompany.com . She has coached literally thousands of executives and professionals on job search, and career building from Fortune 500 and Global 1000 to small business and startup companies. She has a Masters in Career Development and is certified in Myers Briggs, Behaviordynes Behavioral Interviewing and the Predictive Index. Her 5000+ subscribers, online newsletter, http://www.theCareerzine.com , offers insights on employment. In the media, Patti has been frequently quoted or interviewed by PBS Radio's California Report, National Public Radio's Marketplace, Monster.com, Business 2.0/Fortune Magazine, the Washington Post, the San Francisco Chronicle, CBSs Early Show, and USA Today.
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