Page 27 - Leveraging Up ebook by Joanne Linden 2021 ACE Peer Network

Leveraging Up!

invited to certain meetings you used to attend. At this point in your
employment it’s too late. If you get a negative performance review,

you are probably close to getting fired. If fortunate, your employer will

offer a performance improvement plan. But even if you turn around
in 30-90 days, they will still find fault and you may well be gone.

Act Quickly

Pay attention to that first time the Manager’s guidance
feels very prescriptive or more precise than you expected. You’re still

in what we call the “forgiveness zone,” which means you can regain
their trust through quick corrective actions. Ask them whether there

was something you did recently that triggered their feedback. Have
them explain what they would have done differently in that situation.

Listen carefully. They are describing their expectations about the

right approach to how they want things done or the real priority they
want you to focus on.

Adapt your workflow to meet their expectations and make sure to

demonstrate, in ways that are highly visible to them, your new
behaviors or your heightened emphasis on their priorities. This may

seem unwarranted to you. But it’s important to remember that if you

want to succeed in your job, it will always be your responsibility to
adapt to your Manager.

19