Management Material

Send a text I want to talk about something that might spook you: the Finance Department.  I know, I know, the Finance Department has a reputation at nearly every company for being full of weird number nerds who like to be direct and tell people what they can and can’t do. They’re a cause of frustration and anxiety, but let me tell you - they’re actually awesome and I’m going to tell you why.  Fina...

Send a text When I was a junior product manager, just starting out, I had to learn to get consensus on projects before the company would sign off on them and before the team would start working on them.  It was a two-stage process: Get sign-off from the higher-ups and get sign-off from the team that would be working on it.  Here was the catch: Nobody worked for me. I had no authority over anyone a...

Send a text Early in my career, I didn't understand that how I learn is not how everyone else learns. This podcast dives into how an amazing (future) manager creates effective training programs for individuals and groups. We talk through four different learning and teaching styles: Teaching with slides (not active), notes, go do it Demonstrate, then go do it Do it with them and troubleshoot t...

Send a text This episode is about communicating with people who are different from you. We dive into three core motivations: people, goals, and analytics. Then discuss how understanding what motivates others should change how you relate and communicate with them. We also explore two different kinds of reasoning: inductive and deductive. Inductive reasoners and deductive reasoners want to hear info...

Send a text The most successful career climbers have a sneaky little secret: they don't leave their positions unfilled.  You heard that right. Before getting to the next step in their career, they find their own replacements.  Ambitious future- or current-managers know that the best way to their next promotion is not JUST to PROVE they have the skills for their next move, but to backfill thei...

Send a text Getting to management can feel pretty cutthroat for a lot of people. It's a race and only one person can win the ONE open management position. Your hopes are high. You really want that job. And so do other people. So what do you do? The person who gets the job will learn the mindset shift that we discuss here. You're always creating relationships and those relationships will...

Send a text Struggling with a micromanaging boss? You're not alone.  Join me, Catherine Van Der Laan, as we tackle the pressing issue of staying afloat and excelling in your career despite an overbearing supervisor.  Through the story of Linda, a financial analyst hampered by her manager's tight reins, we delve into the art of being 'excellent out loud' and strategically buildi...

Send a text Most of us have what is called a 40 hour per week job. That’s what we’re paid for and sometimes that really exists. But we all know that changes with job expectations, work flux, and how well we spend our time.  If you want to take on extra projects that will stretch you and develop your PROVEN skill set, then you need the time in your schedule to take on those projects.  Your options...

Send a text Networking is just making friends. I've said that over and over. But how do you network to get promoted? How do decide who to network with and HOW to approach them without being super awkward? We go into the exact steps you can use to network to impress your future boss. 1. Reach out to your ideal future boss over email. Follow up if they don't respond. 2. Schedule a meeting....

Send a text Years ago, I arrived early for a giant every-other-week strategy and project approval meeting. I wasn't "important" for the meeting or so I thought. Our Vice President of Product walked into the room as I was settling down in the back to take notes, learn from other presenters, and switch a few switches in our systems if a project was approved. She turned to me and asked...

Send a text Giving credit where credit is due builds your character in the eyes of all the people who see you doing it. But there's a right way and a wrong way to give credit. Listen to today's podcast episode to learn: Why you should give credit where credit is due The right way and the wrong way to give credit How giving credit away the right way will boost your chances of being though...

Send a text A manager's value is not about how skilled they were at their previous job. A manager is someone who can inspire, create value, motivate, and organize. Managers engage people, are empathetic, and listen. If you're curious what skills future managers need to learn, then listen to this episode. We talk through interpersonal, communication, listening, and strategy skills... and...

Send a text Individual contributors get stuck in a mindset of: they're only paying me so much, so I'll only produce that much for the pay. Manager think: they're only paying me so much, so I'll PROVE to them that they should be paying me more. Start looking at your job as a game.  It's a game to maximize value and efficiency. If you can help other people maximize their val...

Send a text Lots of people think that you need to be intimidating or the smartest nut in the carton to be a respected leader. That’s not true.  I’ve worked for really intelligent, horrible people who clearly only cared about their reputations and themselves.  I’ve also worked for really intelligent, humble people who you wouldn’t know at first glance were leading a billion-dollar company. Which on...

Send a text Companies aren't run by one person. Companies are run by every single person who works there. You have a valuable perspective to lend to the company. Share it. Use your voice.  Contribute when you have something valuable to contribute.  Listen to this podcast to hear more about speaking up in meetings and how to speak up tactfully. Book a complimentary management coaching conversa...

Send a text We all face difficult conversations at work. How you handle those difficult conversations sets you apart as management material or not. This episode goes into the amygdala hijack phenomenon and how to handle yourself when your emotions rise up to take over. You have a choice.  You have a choice to take a step back between their action and your reaction.  You can identify what story you...

Send a text Get around a micromanaging boss. If your boss is a micromanager, then you probably aren't given the opportunities that you deserve and need to prove your management skills.  Don't give your boss control over your career. Come up with your own extra projects. Listen more to find out how to be management material when you have a micromanager of a boss. Book a complimentary mana...

Send a text Do that thing you're putting off.  "Swallowing the frog" or "eating the frog" is a phrase people use to mean "do the hard thing." Whenever I've swallowed the frog in the morning, my career takes off. I get known for getting things done. Everyone wants to hire a "get stuff done" kind of person.  Be that person and you'll be more lik...

Send a text Never corner an executive on an airplane.  I was furious and cornered the second-most powerful person in my company in an airplane, telling him what he did wrong and why it was the wrong thing to do. Boy, was that stupid.  After licking my wounds and realizing my job was in jeopardy, I apologized and learned exactly why the C-Suite guys weren't talking to the rest of us. They were...

Send a text Connect with people and people will like you. Realize that people who connect with you will help you, because they like you. There’s nothing wrong with that, and it could be the reason you’re not in the position you want yet. A boss of mine told me once that I needed people to like me to succeed in my job. He was right. I'm not naturally likable and had to work on it. Affinity bia...

Send a text Senior leaders should not be scary. They’re just people with different experiences, perspectives, and responsibilities from you.  The CEO NEEDs to know what you think, so he or she can communicate effectively and make the right decisions.  Talk to your senior leaders. A good leader will welcome it when she or he has time. And, if that's not enough, visualize their hairy legs.  Boo...

Send a text In a management meeting with senior leaders deciding on the future job hierarchy structure of the department, one manager said, “Move up or move out.”  I heartily disagree.  You can find your level of interest or competence and stay there.  You don’t need to constantly be trying to move upwards in the career ladder. It’s okay to be content and NOT try to shatter that glass ceiling your...

Send a text Let’s talk about your “dream job” or “dream career.”  At one point, we had a lovely product assistant on our team. I was her boss’s boss at this point and I’ve always taken an interest in helping people get to their dream careers.  She wanted to be a Technical Product Manager, but started out in seemingly the wrong place for that. No worries. We plotted it out. What skills was she lear...

Send a text Look, we all have nervous habits or unconscious activities that we do. You have to stop doing them in the office. Or in front of people. It makes you look bad. It puts you lower on the unspoken hierarchy. It stops your chance of being seen as management material. So stop touching your face. Book a complimentary management coaching conversation at https://calendly.com/catherine-vanderla...

Send a text Run your own race. Be your own person. I'm a better "me" than I ever was a better "someone else."  How do you stop comparing yourself with other people?  Listen to learn how to be the best YOU that you can be. Book a complimentary management coaching conversation at https://calendly.com/catherine-vanderlaan/free-60-minute-leadership-consultation Email me at cat...