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Transforming our current and future leaders for a better workplace tomorrow
If you’ve never been in management and are about to move into management, Matthew’s 11 promises can be your baseline as a new leader.
For current leaders, these 11 promises can offer you check-in on how you’re doing as a leader or a reminder of what can make a great leader. There are many ways to do leadership, but some things always work, and I think at least a few or more of those things that work are listed in the 11 promises below.
Everyone who has worked a job has experienced good leaders and bad leaders. Many leaders sit in between these two dynamics.
If we can have more empathetic leaders who follow these 11 promises, the workplace will be a kinder, wiser, calmer, happier, and more productive place.
Matthew Rechs: 11 Promises From A Manager
“1 – We’ll have a weekly 1:1. I’ll never cancel this meeting, but you can cancel it whenever you like. It’s your time.
2 – Our 1:1 agenda will be in the meeting invite so we remember important topics. But you’re always free to use the time for whatever’s on your mind.
3 – When I schedule a meeting with you, I’ll always say *when I schedule it* what it’s meant to be about. I will not schedule meetings without an agenda.
4 – When I drop into your DM’s, I’ll always say “hi and why.” No suspense, no small talk while you are wondering what I want.
5 – News or announcements that significantly impact you, your work, or your team will come from me directly in a 1:1, not revealed in a big meeting.
6 – You’ll get feedback from me when it’s fresh. There will be no feedback in your performance review that you’re hearing for the first time.
7 – I trust you to manage your own time. You don’t need to clear with me in advance your time AFK or OOO.
8 – Your work gets done your way. My focus is on outcomes, not output. Once we’re clear on where we need to go, how to get there is up to you. If I ever find it necessary to suggest a specific approach, I will supply an example.
9 – A team is strongest when it’s working together, looking after one another, and taking care of each other. Please look to your left and to your right for opportunities to help your colleagues. Please ask for help when you need it. Nobody works alone.
10 – I trust you to skip level and talk to my manager or other senior management about anything you feel is relevant. You don’t need to clear it with me, and I’m not going to get weird about it when you do.
11 – I will attribute credit appropriately to you and your team. I will never exaggerate my own role or minimize your contribution. I’ll be especially certain to nail down attribution when senior management are hearing of our accomplishments.
If all of this sounds good to you, I hope you can reciprocate by giving me the one thing I need most: The truth. I want to hear your feedback, to know when you think I’m wrong, and your ideas for how we can do better. I’ll always welcome your thoughts, listen patiently, and never respond defensively. If we trust each other, we can learn and grow together. That’s how I want to work with you.”
Check Mathew Rechs out on Linkedin, Twitter, and Medium.
Read the full article from Matthew Rechs here:
11 Promises from a Manager
1. We’ll have a weekly 1:1. I’ll never cancel this meeting, but you can cancel it whenever you like. It’s your
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.