A colleague received an unusual e-mail from a new manager of his division:
One of the most important responsibilities I have as the [title] is to ensure I help people in achieving their career goals. I’d like to take some time to meet you and to get to know you, your goals, and how I can help you as you learn and grow. This is not a “formal” meeting in any respect – it’s just a chance for me to get to know you. You don’t need to prepare anything or to be anxious about it. There’s no set structure – just a chat!
My skeptical colleague thought this to be another management fad. However, I felt it might just be one of those rare occasions to take advantage of someone who is trying her best to change the culture in her own area.
For my colleague, it’s an opportunity to:
– present yourself in a way you want her to remember you for future projects/assignments
– let her know what you want to do more/less of
– help her know how to create a better work environment for you
– tell her what’s working well; limit what’s not working so well to 1-2 things.
– ask her questions about her priorities, expectations, career goals and pet-peeves (learn her agenda).
It is also an opportunity to learn how your work and personality preferences match or clash and how to best work together.
I’m waiting to hear how it turned out.