bonez

Account Executive

Sales Managers - are they all the same?

So I've had some great managers out there both in my previous roles and in sales. However the last 4/5 sales managers have all kinda been the same. Essentially they all boil down to micromanagers no matter how friendly some of them have been. Managers that believe unless you sell just like them then you are not doing it right. This seems to be common but... how the hell do I avoid this moving forward? I'm in mid market if that helps - I would expect this more in SMB or with SDRs/BDRs but mid market feels ridiculous.

Looking for some clear giveaways to get past them selling me on a job and really seeing what they're about. I know that no place is perfect but Lord help me I need a manager that doesn't need to be on every call.

Thanks homies.

🧢 Sales Management

15 comments

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oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Default management persona these days. I sold therefore I can manage. I will sit on you until your individual talent exists no longer. I will have all of the answers and no questions. You will do it my way. It ain’t just you. It’s rampant.

bonez

Politicker

Account Executive

Sure feels this way! Shocking to see truly how much this has permeated the culture in sales leadership. Stuff like this is what makes me question my long term sanity in sales. Then again every department suffers from something like this it seems. Probably a reflection of the economic picture as well

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Could be the road you’re on. There are a few folks in here that have good leadership. Could just be the average shelf life of a VP Sales. Promoting a seller into the role has been the cheaper alternative the last few years. I think it’s a cyclical thing. Orgs gotta have competent management.

Either way- it’s everywhere

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I’m one of those with good managers. They are out there. That said, some of what you’re experiencing crops up more when times are a bit more challenging. Everyone wants to look like they’re doing something to ensure sales are happening, even if it’s not really effective.

bonez

Politicker

Account Executive

Yeah the last couple of orgs it was just pure bad leaders and they got exposed as such. Currently dealing with very nice people who are micromanagers - makes for an interesting dynamic tbh. Oh well. Seems like it's a problem you just gotta deal with.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

That’s a part of it too. A group of people collectively freaking out about getting caught not trying.

bonez

Politicker

Account Executive

This is absolutely apart of what's going on. My industry is secure as hell - HCM - but still feeling some pressures from competitors and we keep losing top sales reps to competitors or other industries. Nice to commiserate with others.
My goal is in the new year find another job, different industry, and really make the interview a two way street.
Glad you're one of the good ones!

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Yup. They're not all like this, but far too many are.
The good ones truly set themselves apart.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

Especially when they are under pressure this is what happens

HVACexpert

Politicker

sales engineer

These days a lot of people get caught up in the metrics like KPIs and can’t let out any leash for people to go figure things out on their own.

The problem is too is managers have managers and they do the same things to them, and the shit rolls down hill.

BingoBangoBongo

Good Citizen

bonez

Politicker

Account Executive

Amazing response and it gives me a lot to work with. Also, both my managers don’t have children and this logic definitely tracks.

saasdatass

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Bonez! Based on my experience on having both (more good ones than bad ones to the surprise of many) is this:

1. Good managers go to really good companies because they know they are a rare breed. Always check the overall company culture. They also get promoted because they are really good, so you must do the same

2. The odds are you will get a terrible manager so you need to do whatever you can to stay off their radar. Tell them what they want to hear but also back your shit up with good work, hitting quota, metrics, whatever other bullshit they want to see

3. Regardless of who or how your manager is they are not your daddy or sales coach or friend. You have to take charge of your own learning and development and use them when you need them but also tell them what you need even tell them to fuck off (in a corporate speech kinda way). What a manager really wants is a low maintenance employee (sometimes they are baby sitting up to 10 at the same time) and the saying in management goes you manage the low performers and leave the top performers alone. Not all subscribe to that but for the most part they do.

wolfofmiami

Opinionated

🐺

Straight up ask them are you gonna micromanage me ? Bc that’s a non negotiable for me i can’t work like that. When companies ask me what I’m looking for good company good managers that don’t micro manage me etc etc. if they are micromanaging just tell them hey remember our interview. And don’t be afraid to leave or ask for a different manager.

MontyMoose

Good Citizen

Chief Commercial Officer

Depends on what you mean by “micromanaging”? Some people say this when they really mean “they’re checking that i am doing the things that the org has decided I need to be doing for us to be successful”.

You may disagree with those things. Your manager might too. But if you’re not in control there’s a certain element of having to suck it up, tick the box and then focus the rest of your time on the things you can control.

CastleIsland

Tycoon

Associate Account Director

I work for a CEO as an individual contributor. He is hands off but I still need to report to a CEO. Pick your poison i guess.

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bonez

Sales Managers - are they all the same?

15 comments

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