Manager Keeps Shooting Down Your Plans? Ask Yogesh Sood
Dear Yogesh,
I recently took a job as a business development executive at a pharmaceutical company. The managing partner I am working under is fairly new to the job and was only given the job due to a lack of resources in the company.
My manager says that he wants to modernize the process and make it smoother, but anytime I present a new plan to him, he just ignores it. I know it can be a tough job to keep abreast with the many rules, regulations, and complications involved in the medical field, and is not for everyone to excel.
How can I share my idea without disrespecting him? I just want to bring positive change and be better.
Dear Rahul,
First of all, I congratulate you on your new position. And the best part about it is you seem very excited about it. I feel sorry that some of your efforts were put down, but with a few changes in your approach, you’ll have an all-new perspective and pitch to present your ideas.
I believe you have shared ideas and thoughts that you think are most needed. But, as you are new to your manager, so are your ideas. For now, it is hard for your manager to trust you and in turn, any of your ideas too.
Your first step here is to understand how and what your manager thinks. Schedule a time to ask your manager a few questions. To make him understand your perspective in a better way, I think you can sit in a one-on-one dialogue with him. It is best if you take notes while listening carefully to what he has to say. The questions can be like this:
- What is your vision moving forward?
- What works well in your opinion for the firm?
- What is the most important thing for you?
- What are your current priorities?
- If you could change one thing about the way we operate the practice today, what would it be?
- What was it about my previous attempts at plans that didn’t work for you?
- What developments would you like to see in me?
An important thing to note is that you need to listen! Do not engage in discussions but try to listen to what your manager has to say. To follow up, ask questions like: “can you say more about that?” or “tell me more”.
After your session with the manager, curate a copy of your notes and send them to him. This will further cement the impression that you care and you are paying attention.
After the meeting is done, you will be able to accomplish a few things:
Building Trust: This little exercise will make your manager think that you are interested in his opinions. So, with just that, you are developing your relationship and making him feel like he matters.
You will be learning a lot of new things: This allows you to have an insight into the thoughts, vision, and mission of your manager, which will help you understand how he actually thinks and works. This will further aid you to tweak your ideas according to his perception and get your boat sailing. By keeping one of his ideas forward, you can present your thoughts in a way that it feels is something that is in the best interest of both him and the firm.
- Research what your competitors do things the other way than you. Concentrate on the most recently taken procedures and be clear about how these practices have an effect.
- Associate your plans with your manager’s qualities, plan of action, or potential objectives for development.
- On the off chance that your manager steps on your next plan, you could take help from your super boss in the firm on who you have an impact.
Do not give up on your ideas. Hopefully, there is going to be something or the other that can help you with accomplishing what you want.
This is an opportunity for you to develop the skills of gaining supporters and building enthusiasm for your ideas and plans. I promise—having these skills will serve you well for your entire career!
Regards,
Yogesh Sood
The above is an adaptation of a blog written by MADELEINE HOMAN BLANCHARD on FEBRUARY 5, 2022