My manager is asking for access to the details of my calendar. It feels to micromanaging to me. Need a good response to him.
Thoughts?
Give Manager Detailed Access to Calendar?
20
jefe
Arsonist
9
๐
I can't think of anyone in my organization that doesn't have their calendar open. Why don't you want to do this?
Quite honestly you don't have much of a leg to stand on if you try to fight it. It CAN be used to micromanage but it's also just a lot easier to understand someone's day and availability without bugging them.
If you say no it will look like you're trying to hide some shit. And they can probably get in there via IT if they want.
This isn't the hill to die on.
Quite honestly you don't have much of a leg to stand on if you try to fight it. It CAN be used to micromanage but it's also just a lot easier to understand someone's day and availability without bugging them.
If you say no it will look like you're trying to hide some shit. And they can probably get in there via IT if they want.
This isn't the hill to die on.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
4
Sales Rep
If you push back, it makes it seem you aren't working. 100% agree with @jefe
jefe
Arsonist
4
๐
I also had another thought...
@atx22 mentions all these personal appointments - are these all during work hours? Why are you scheduling so much 'on company time'?
And if they're not, or even if they are, why not just use your phone calendar?!
@atx22 mentions all these personal appointments - are these all during work hours? Why are you scheduling so much 'on company time'?
And if they're not, or even if they are, why not just use your phone calendar?!
atx22
Catalyst
0
Enterprise Account Executive
We may just have different views about work. Sales isn't a 9-5 job. My company pays me to hit a sales target. If I don't hit that I'm let go, I'm ok with that arrangement.
If I do hit my number, does it really matter how many hours I put in or when I put them in?
Beginning to micromanage is not the way to motivate professionals or build trust.
If I do hit my number, does it really matter how many hours I put in or when I put them in?
Beginning to micromanage is not the way to motivate professionals or build trust.
jefe
Arsonist
2
๐
I don't disagree, but assuming you have a base salary then there's generally an expectation of regular availability during working hours. We all step away and take care of stuff, that's to be expected, but to the extent you feel the need to lock your calendar down?
If you don't want to be micromanaged, there has to be an element of trust. And trust goes both ways.
It 100% seems like you're trying to hide things and pull some shit. Many managers would think you're interviewing on company time.
If you don't want to be micromanaged, there has to be an element of trust. And trust goes both ways.
It 100% seems like you're trying to hide things and pull some shit. Many managers would think you're interviewing on company time.
atx22
Catalyst
1
Enterprise Account Executive
I can see and understand that.
jefe
Arsonist
0
๐
I truly hope this does NOT end up in micromanagement!
atx22
Catalyst
0
Enterprise Account Executive
and he just emailed the whole team plus his boss a screenshot of everyone's calendar. Showing all of the open times slots. Try to assume the best but prepare for the worst.
Avon
Politicker
8
Senior Account Executive
If one of my reps didnt show me their calendar, I would assume they were either 1)working another job on the clock, 2) running errands on the clock, or 3) Interviewing on the clock.
You're not going to win here, and if you think you do in the short run, they will begin to look to replace you behind the scenes.
You're not going to win here, and if you think you do in the short run, they will begin to look to replace you behind the scenes.
FinanceEngineer
Politicker
2
Sr Director, sales and partnerships
Yeah, thatโs what I assume. Itโs just the way it is. What would be the worry besides someone trying to hijack a call or steal an active deal? I even put holds with names and a โto callโ to show that I am expecting a phone call.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
7
๐ฆ
Everyone can see my calendar. If I want something private I just mark it as private.
jefe
Arsonist
3
๐
I thought this is how most everyone did it!
'Personal Appointment' can also work.
'Personal Appointment' can also work.
pirate
Big Shot
1
๐ฆโ ๏ธ Account Executive
Yes this is the way
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
4
Sales Rep
Honestly, I don't think this is a big ask, and I prefer I can see what everyone is doing. If I need to loop in my manager but can't tell if they are in a demo or if they are just blocking off time to do admin work, it makes it so much harder to schedule a follow-up.
Plus people always just say look at my calendar and send an invite, but they block off their calendar with random admin work making it impossible to schedule stuff
Plus people always just say look at my calendar and send an invite, but they block off their calendar with random admin work making it impossible to schedule stuff
pirate
Big Shot
2
๐ฆโ ๏ธ Account Executive
I've actually made my calendar public now to avoid this scenario ๐ This happened to me and it was a beginning of hellish era of micromanagement. The best way to beat it is to start calling your manager for help, ping them, ask if they can hop in a call with you, ask if they can practice a roleplay. Get manager to talk about themselves and their journey. Meet them more face to face if possible. That's how I survived for a long while. Wasn't fun. Then eventually got a new job and manager got demoted. Karma gets to micromanagers if they're truly bad. If they're nice and just over keen, they'll eventually let you do things alone.
oldcloser
Arsonist
2
๐
You're cooked. Open sesame.
Diablo
Politicker
1
Sr. AE
tbh I have my calendar visible for everyone in the org but some of my colleagues have hidden. What's the purpose of this and what's the hesitation?
atx22
Catalyst
-1
Enterprise Account Executive
I put all of my items on there, including personal items so I don't lose track.
I'd ask, what is the purpose of seeing details? He can see if I'm available or not available. Does he really need to know if I have to take my dog to the vet, or have a counseling session?
I'd ask, what is the purpose of seeing details? He can see if I'm available or not available. Does he really need to know if I have to take my dog to the vet, or have a counseling session?
Avon
Politicker
1
Senior Account Executive
As long as you are getting paid a base salary, it is 100% in reason for them to know what you are doing during the work day.
sketchysales
Politicker
3
Sales Manager
you can mark items as private, even if someone has full access it doesnt show what your private appointments are. this is how i work within my org with absolutely no issues or questions.
Avon
Politicker
2
Senior Account Executive
I agree for one off things. But blocking the whole calendar just seems shady. This poster asked about working two full time sales jobs in the past and thats exactly the type of behavior Id think it'd be hiding. A couple people at my company have done that
sassy_seller
Executive
1
AE
I mean in terms of availability he wouldnโt need to see details.. somethings shady here ๐
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive ๐ฐ
My calendar doesn't show details, but if my manager asked, I'd absolutely do it.
Pachacuti
Politicker
1
They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy
Yes. Itโs micromanagement.
Is there a reason heโs asking for it?
In my org people can see my availability but canโt see exactly what Iโm doing.
Is there a reason heโs asking for it?
In my org people can see my availability but canโt see exactly what Iโm doing.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
0
Sr Sales Executive ๐ฐ
Yeah, same here. But if having a completely available calendar was a requirement, I'd do it.
Gasty
Notable Contributor
1
War Room Community Manager
What do you have to hide? @atx22
braintank
Politicker
2
Enterprise Account Executive
My question exactly...
atx22
Catalyst
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Maybe I'm "Flex"ing
GDO
Politicker
1
BDM
I find it quite normal
CRAG112
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
Hi. I want to be big brother and see what you got going on all the time.
You could always respond with the words, why is this important to you?
You know. Do some discovery.
You could always respond with the words, why is this important to you?
You know. Do some discovery.
AnchorPoint
Politicker
1
Business Coach
What's the big deal?
1
Enterprise Customer Success Executive
๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฉ
Beans
Big Shot
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Why does it need to be private is the real Q?
SalesPharaoh
Big Shot
0
Senior Account Executive
I love to leave my calander available. It will force you to put "focus" time so you can actually find time to implement whatever agreed in the meetings.
Also life is much easier for everyone when they see your calander. I share my calander to my bosses and they share their to me too
Also life is much easier for everyone when they see your calander. I share my calander to my bosses and they share their to me too
GreenSide
Politicker
0
Sales manager
@atx22 Is your manager asking just you or everybody?
atx22
Catalyst
0
Enterprise Account Executive
It is others as well, but this is the first step. Organization as a whole is under performing. Something needs to change, and the old mindset is that it must be the sales reps. The VP of Sales was just let go, now the managers are in scramble mode.
GreenSide
Politicker
0
Sales manager
Iโd let him see. Do you have something to hide? I think other posts implied you donโt really work 9-5?
atx22
Catalyst
0
Enterprise Account Executive
Do you believe sales is a 9-5 job?
GreenSide
Politicker
0
Sales manager
Definitely not. Are you usually available 9-5?
atx22
Catalyst
0
Enterprise Account Executive
And yes, I'm available if they need to reach me.
lieselfuel
Member
0
Regional Vice President
I always ask for this. I also share mine too.
ApocalyBoom
Politicker
0
Account Executive
I mean, I probably couldn't see much in front of him. There's something dark here.
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