From the Ask Tom mailbox.
Question
I was recently promoted to one of our higher volume locations as a supervisor. At first I was excited to show my skills to my new manager. However, I am doing less work and feel I am going backwards instead of forward. My new manager hasn’t had the time to train me and I don’t think I am being taken seriously. My question is, should I move on to another job or just be more patient.
Response
Why are you waiting for your manager to train you? You have to take some initiative here.
Are you responsible for scheduling?
Are you responsible for other associates performance?
Are you responsible for newbie training?
Are you responsible for inventory control – any aspect?
Are you responsible for drawer cash outs?
If your manager is like most managers, they are very busy with what is in front of their face at any given moment, especially during this holiday season. You cannot afford to wait. You may have to learn those skills from another person, from a book, from another manager, mentor or friend at the store. Ask to come in on your own time to sit in with another to learn scheduling or whatever the skill. Show genuine interest in learning. Sure, you may end up “volunteering†three or four hours of your own time, off the clock, but that investment will pay big dividends down the road. You will get those hours back one hundred times over. -TF
It is important to demonstrate personal leadership in your Supervisor role. What are the typical responsibilities of this role in your new larger volume location? Take the initiative to work, listen, and learn how to make the overall operations run more smoothly. Work on developing your relationship with those you Supervise and your new Manager. In the end, too many people fail to progress in their careers because they are waiting for others to assist them. The bottom-line in career progression planning is that no other person cares more about your career than you.
Manager may assume promotion means you know what you should be doing and has so much on his plate wanting & waiting for you to step up and ask what do you need and where can I start. May need & want to see some aggression.