Bereal

Sales

Personal Narrative

Politics & Leading a team

Hi everyone,

How do you deal with politics in the office? It's my first management position looking after business development executives and im learning from each team member everyday but man it can be draining and confusing at times because I feel with a few, there's always an agenda somewhere, it's so disruptive. The team notices this as well.

Its not wired in me to lead with fear but rather to try and inspire the team. I'm still learning what it means to do this.

Theres so much to do and get right at this point ie: Team culture, multichannel outreach - Calls, emails and LinkedIn. Only recently have I realised we could be doing a lot better at how we go about calling and messaging and I have been going down so many rabbit holes that have helped so much but now it's about putting it into action. I feel a bit all over the place at times.

Any tips for a first time leader?

🏋️‍♀️ Leadership

7

27 comments

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boredAnti

Tycoon

6

That One Guy

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Have standards with grace. Just because you have a hammer, doesn't mean you need to swing it.

That being said, people will follow your lead once you create the connection for them to feel like following you is the right thing.

SaaSam

Politicker

5

Account Executive

This is really all of the advice that you need. If they respect and revere you they'll follow you into hell. If they fear you they may approach the gate but only to push you in when they get a chance.

Bereal

Contributor

0

Sales

@SaaSam I’m not sure I fully understand?

SaaSam

Politicker

2

Account Executive

The classic carrot vs stick argument. Basically are you going to motivate them with rewards or the fear of punishment. Neither are a great motivator at the end of the day.

Respect your team, show them that you care about their success and are invested in it. In turn, they'll respect you, take your advice, and follow your lead. Not because you promised them a reward, not because you threatened them with a PIP, but because they respect you and trust that you're trying to help because you care.

Bereal

Contributor

1

Sales

@SaaSam Thank you, I appreciate and receive this.

Bereal

Contributor

1

Sales

Thank you for this. @antiASKHOLE

CuriousFox

WR Officer

5

🦊

What do you mean by some having an agenda?

Bereal

Contributor

1

Sales

@CuriousFox @jefe

It’s difficult to put into words to be honest.

They are one way in front me and another behind me. Say the right things but then do the complete opposite. I call things out but then it gets twisted and turned and then I doubt myself.

The team is growing and I am slowly starting to give the opportunity for others to take on more responsibilities as this is good, we must be doing this. Becomes difficult when you don’t trust though.

Gasty

Notable Contributor

4

War Room Community Manager

1) You're not responsible for numbers. You're responsible for a team, who's responsible for numbers.
2) Hear each person out. That'd make 'em feel safe. Even if what they're saying is bullshit.
3)Take one o ones weekly. Removing obstacles from their path to success should be your primary KRA.
4) You don't want to be a dashboard manager. Focus on output first. However, do not discard input metrics entirely.
5) They might be using a messaging to sound smart, instead of being understood. Reverse it.
6) Never use one-size fit all strategy. It makes your life easy, not your teams'. Play on each one's strengths instead.
7) Have an action-item oriented approach. Never leave a meeting without action items.
8) *Give 'em the option to throw you under the bus. Have their back. You won't regret it.

Bereal

Contributor

1

Sales

This is great thank you @AgastyaAdams

KB_FarmerType

Opinionated

1

Strategic Sales

The point 6 and 8 are gems 💎. Write them down on first page of your notebook

jefe

Arsonist

4

🍁

I think we need more context to truly help you out here...

hh456

Celebrated Contributor

2

sales

a little harsh, but when politics come into play, i always use the line from hbo billions. Chuck's dad is telling him to run for gov and Chuck (the attorney general) says, "I have to do this job well first."

same thing with politics. i get you all have agendas and are working your angles, but you have to do your current role well first. focus on that and then we can chat about dynamics.

Bereal

Contributor

1

Sales

@GrizzleMcThornBody Appreciate the feedback!

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

haha this is classic leadership stuff! Thank you for sharing this. I feel like many first time leaders deal with this but dont talk about it.

what sort of agenda do you think ppl have?

I would focus on the item that will make the biggest impact, or the item that is causing the biggest distraction.

then build off that.

Bereal

Contributor

1

Sales

Yea I think you right there. This is probably what I will be dealing with. Why would it not be a good idea to speak about it?

I’m picking up that people come across as genuine initially but then gossip a lot, in a way that is not healthy. Influencing people to see others in a different light and I don’t think they actually realise how destructive it is to those around them. As soon as you address this behaviour you become a threat to them.

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

ohhhh yeah big time! ive seen this happen over and over again.

THAT is a really hard thing to control /shift.

saasbaby

Politicker

2

SDR

I'm not a manager & I'm speaking as an SDR. Not sure if this would even help you in the slightest.

But, I really like that my manager have RUs where we just play a game. I know it sounds silly, but it gives us all a chance to stop thinking about work for a moment and just have fun with the people on our team. Whenever she does this, we have a really great day. Also, we get to know each other better personally rather than make assumptions via gossip.

This is all done remotely, so not sure how it would work in person.
Good luck!

TennisandSales

Politicker

0

Head Of Sales

damn I would love to know how you do this. sounds really hard to pull off without seeming childish and stupid. especially remotely.

What does RUs stand for?

Bereal

Contributor

1

Sales

@saasbaby Thank you for sharing. We do make the effort to hang out and have a bit of fun but I think one could always change it up a bit.

saasbaby

Politicker

1

SDR

Round Ups (RUs) aka pop-up meetings or weekly team meetings.

I would also like to see how you implement this if you do decide to do it @Bereal

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

can you give more detail on how your manager implements this so its actually fun and engaging and not lame and annoying?

saasbaby

Politicker

0

SDR

We play a pictionary game, she creates a lobby and send us a link to join. It's called gartic, https://gartic.io/

She doesn't need to do much because it's fun while we play. It's a lil competitive, and we each have to draw so it makes us think lol. I know on the surface it sounds lame, but it's nice to take a break from work talk.

TennisandSales

Politicker

0

Head Of Sales

haha yeah it does sound a little lame when you describe it but Im glad it works! little things like that are cool when they work!

KB_FarmerType

Opinionated

2

Strategic Sales

Just to understand the dynamic of people and how this is being done. What’s average age in team and team size (all gen Z?)

TennisandSales

Politicker

1

Head Of Sales

ha good question!

saasbaby

Politicker

0

SDR

Lmbo! Very good question.

Mostly Gen Z - just graduated from college, only 2 Millenials.
Avg age is 25; I'm the second oldest on the team.
There are 7 of us and we are the first SDR team for the company.

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