New Sales Manager: My Boss Won't Let Me Do My Job!

On this episode, a new sales manager asks: My manager often gives me good advice on how to get my team to respect me. Lately, I've noticed my manager is stepping in in situations that I should be handling and not letting me take control. How do I approach this conversation?

In this video, we take a deep look into what could be causing this situation and how to have an effective conversion with your boss.

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Video Summary

Managing a team requires a different skill set than selling. When you manage a team, your goal is to achieve better results by managing performance, providing personalized coaching, and motivating your team.

Your own manager should provide you with coaching on how to develop these skills, as well as how to earn your team’s respect as a new manager. However, you may feel frustrated if your manager starts to take over and do things you should be doing. This isn’t uncommon. Maybe your manager likes being hands on, or maybe she doesn’t even realize she’s taking over for you as opposed to empowering you.

If this happens, you should schedule some one-on-one time with your manager. It doesn’t have to be formal, but it also shouldn’t be a simple hallway conversation. At the meeting, you should express your concern and ask your manager for their perspective on how you are performing as a manager. Once you’ve received her feedback, you should politely share your perspective and mention that you’ve noticed that she is still getting involved in situations that you would have liked to handle yourself.

It’s possible that your manager is interfering because she has concerns that she hasn’t expressed yet. Listen to these concerns, take notes, and let your manager know you appreciate her input.  You should then express that for you to build your skills as a manager, you would like to try and manage these situations yourself.  You should also mention that you would welcome her coaching on what you did well and what you might do differently next time.

To recap:

• Have a candid conversation with your manager
• Keep it neutral (you shouldn’t sound offended or upset)
• Find out what’s going on and what you’re doing well
• Understand the areas in which you can improve
• Express that the best way for you to learn is to handle situations yourself
• Solicit your managers feedback on strengths and areas for improvement

SRG Insights is a Q&A video series where we answer your questions on the topics of sales, sales management, sales coaching, and sales training. Featuring sales experts with over 25 years of sales and sales management experience.

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