4 ms·

> Good managers don’t seek out the role for its own sake; Depends on what you mean by this, but I will disagree. I didn't naturally become a manager. I sought

> Good managers don’t seek out the role for its own sake; Depends on what you mean by this, but I will disagree. I didn't naturally become a manager. I sought it out because I believed I could do it better than the managers I have. I believe I am a good manager - not a perfect one as I have made mistakes and I still have improvements to make. When I have left a couple of jobs to make the next step (team lead to manager to director), my employees were sad I was leaving - they told me that directly. And I've found many times that doing it naturally is hard. Companies are resistant to promotion, even for great ICs. You often have to seek it out, unless you get lucky (or are the bad brown noser as you mentioned). It's hard work to get it, but I worked hard and got it. I agree with the rest of your points though.

dijit 3y ago
I'm in the exact same position as you, I get positive feedback on my management style but I'll be honest: I am paranoid that it's just people engaging in "people-pleasing", after all: there's no value to frustrating or being overly honest to your manager. I think that's why I've had issues with management too, I've always seem them as doing a job that's different from mine, as in: we are the same level working on different areas. -- Whereas perhaps they seem themselves as superior. Regardless: I really wish I could trust the feedback I get, I want to improve, I want to be the best, I will always fail in some area but I am completely blind to my faults since all I ever hear is praise. I do not believe for one second that I'm worthy of such praise, I work hard for sure, but I don't doubt that my managers (whom I didn't enjoy working with) did also.
- apple4ever 3y ago
  I hear you. It's very tough to get constructive criticism as a manager. I've found you generally force others to answer more than just "how am I doing", but specific situations "how did I handle that". You'll have to interpret their answers, because often your reports especially will not want to give full answers. But you can get closer over time as you build trust and when you take slight "negative" feedback that you take it well and you don't retaliate, than they will give more stronger, closer to the truth feedback. Its a journey, for sure!

dijit 3y ago

I'm in the exact same position as you, I get positive feedback on my management style but I'll be honest: I am paranoid that it's just people engaging in "people-pleasing", after all: there's no value to frustrating or being overly honest to your manager. I think that's why I've had issues with management too, I've always seem them as doing a job that's different from mine, as in: we are the same level working on different areas. -- Whereas perhaps they seem themselves as superior. Regardless: I really wish I could trust the feedback I get, I want to improve, I want to be the best, I will always fail in some area but I am completely blind to my faults since all I ever hear is praise. I do not believe for one second that I'm worthy of such praise, I work hard for sure, but I don't doubt that my managers (whom I didn't enjoy working with) did also.

apple4ever 3y ago
I hear you. It's very tough to get constructive criticism as a manager. I've found you generally force others to answer more than just "how am I doing", but specific situations "how did I handle that". You'll have to interpret their answers, because often your reports especially will not want to give full answers. But you can get closer over time as you build trust and when you take slight "negative" feedback that you take it well and you don't retaliate, than they will give more stronger, closer to the truth feedback. Its a journey, for sure!