justatopproducer

VP OF SALES -US

Valued Contributor

Micro managing boss- HELP! How to professionally say back off?

My boss has sucked the life out of the job I work.. worked with people like this before and typically it's a matter of time before they quit or are fired. Unfortunately that isn't the case.

This boss is a do as I say not as I do type, and not in touch with reality of his teams day to day and the aspect of time it takes to go certain tasks. I'm in mid market B2B SaaS and solutions. Recently due to a crap pipeline(been working on two large deals that each will make my goal for the year, I know don't count on these), no SDR HELP, and maybe 1 inbound lead each quarter to work the focus of his has been activity. I am in a longer sales cycle (3-6 month average sometimes longer like 6-12 with these two larger prospects). We do the demo's, proposals and meetings from scratch, we have some marketing material but it's too long and turns into an hour of spewing features and benefits or solution dump. obviously not conducive for a productive discovery meeting. anyway, his boss's are harping on activity specifically for people who aren't at or haven't been hitting their goals, the others do what they want except me. Yesterday my boss asked to start meeting in the beginning and at the end of each day for 30min-1hour. I'm doing my best to keep up, but at the same time our comp plan pays less and expectations/goals were almost doubled and it's hard to push myself to work after hours anymore because I'm making less money. Before you say RUN AWAY(I know) how can I do that while keeping the job I have and interviewing and leaving on good terms where I am and nicely telling my boss to leave me alone? I spoke briefly with HR yesterday about moving into another roll in the company but not sure how to do it without going around my boss. He isn't the kind to take kindly to that. they said have the tough convo with him. my boss has said many times before he will just lie and say he didn't say what he said (I've actually been recording our meetings on my phone just in case). writing this all out makes my situation seem nuts... any advice to help me through this for a little while would be awesome!

😤 Conflict Resolution

🧢 Sales Management

14

17 comments

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Incognito

WR Officer

6

Master of Disaster

Take a very deep breath.

And stop caring what your boss thinks. Do what makes money, and if you can’t do the extra morning AND evening meetings just say so. Or magically get a prospect call back. You can also take sick days if you need to interview 👀

artofsales

Good Citizen

3

Sr. Director of Enterprise Sales

Micromanaging bosses can be real pain in the ass.

But Firstly, are you in the beginning of your career? if so, I would say put in those extra hours necessary.

If not...To start with, I wouldn't suggest pissing him off if you are not ready to get fired. Do what he wants in terms of the sales process. Check off all the activities he wants you. Check for automations that will ease some of your tasks. There are plenty out there.

Do not go overboard on his asks. The only way to deal with bullies is to stand your ground.

Start applying for new jobs on weekends, interviewing after taking a sick leave.

justatopproducer

Politicker

0

VP OF SALES -US

Nope, ive been in sales for around 15 years. In this role for the last 2 years (almost). Agreed though about the extra work, I did and haven’t gotten anywhere for many reasons but I take blame because i don’t make excuses. Good advice, we do have mass email capabilities now which will cut sometime out of prospecting. I hate to not personalize but whatever to quickly go through the motions.

KendallRoy

Politicker

2

AM

Haven't had this with a manager, but as an SDR I had an AE put daily check-ins on my calendar to grill me about the day's activity. After the second one I said I was feeling micromanaged and didn't feel comfortable continuing with this structure. He didn't take kindly to this, but my manager came to the rescue.

In your case it sounds like the writing is on the wall. You could propose a weekly check-in, but in your shoes I'd be looking for another role.

justatopproducer

Politicker

0

VP OF SALES -US

Agreed, and sorry to hear that. Yep, starting again today.

WolfOfDalalStreet

Fire Starter

1

SDR

Maybe talk to a therapist? I was in a similar situation last year and I consulted with a therapist. Didnt solve the problem completely but definitely did lessen the overall pressure.

justatopproducer

Politicker

0

VP OF SALES -US

Already do. Stopped going as much because they seemed to harp on all the negative things and after I left I would be upset. I can say my patience has grown.

Do.it.for.the.checks

Politicker

1

Account Executive

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this sounds like you are going to be let go.

Bad pipeline plus manager asking you to work harder plus new daily check-ins sounds very much like they are doing the "We tried everything" line.

Spend your time interviewing and find a new role

justatopproducer

Politicker

0

VP OF SALES -US

Agreed, crazy though. I won rookie of the year last year, our FY ended in June, and im currently at 153% to goal. We just implemented all new prospecting metrics on aug. 1. They can’t fire me for performance, I think he’s trying to get me to quit. Just trying to stay sane and make it through for a little longer. I actually had been applying else where and went to the final round at two companies. You know the drill, know our solutions like you already sell them and then present them to us in panel meeting for the next 2 hours. But will do, back to the drawing board.

cw95

Politicker

1

Sales Development Lead

This sucks, I also have been through it. One thing I would say, although it’s beneficial for your sanity to record things, you aren’t legally allowed to record in a professional setting without consent so that could get you into trouble if used. I’d straight up say you’re more productive and work better when you’re allowed more autonomy, show your value by doing your own thing and compare the stats to when they ask to do it their way

justatopproducer

Politicker

0

VP OF SALES -US

Yep, I am aware of that, it’s more to bring up all the bs and lies that I forget about until hear them again. I don’t plan on suing my company or anything like that. I do the same for some discovery meetings to review later or proposals to review when we dont get the deal closed or lose to a compotitor. (Game film, football habits) We will see tomorow though, Thanks for everyones input/advice.

cw95

Politicker

0

Sales Development Lead

Good. I hope it all goes well mate!

Blackwargreymon

Politicker

1

MDR

Start applying for new jobs on weekends, interviewing after taking a sick leave.

MCP

Valued Contributor

0

Sales Director

I mean, your pipeline is crap, according to you, so clearly what you’ve been doing isn’t working. The micromanagement, which could just be a pre-PIP is designed to help you get back on track. Tenure or not, if you’re struggling and not receptive to change, this is what happens. So, get outside the box, be creative if marketing isn’t helping and make shit happen. Quit whining and start winning and all the micromanagement goes away.

Clashingsoulsspell

Politicker

0

ISR

This is really difficult for me since a lot of stuff can not be disclosed. So I give rough numbers and stuff I can disclose and then when discussing it I add extra info

Cyberjarre

Politicker

0

BDR

This is really difficult for me since a lot of stuff can not be disclosed.

Error32

Politicker

0

ISR

've never heard of someone creating a scrapbook of their sales accomplishments. Is this sort of like a portfolio for a creative?

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