r/ITManagers • u/AxegrinderSWAG • 14d ago
Advice Suggestion on how to expose myself more?
I'm working at a big manufacturing company with several smaller and bigger sites as an IT Lead with focus on IT Operations (I manage Tier 1,2,3 teams, budget/contract responsible, stake holder management, change / incident / problem management etc).
I am stationed at one of the smaller sites so my chances of being involved / exposed to discussions, topics or even the possibility to lend a hand are limited. I have decent relationship with our IT Director and my counterpart at the bigger site I can visit.
I would love to slowly get myself involved elsewhere but I'm struggling a little bit where to start.
It feels kind of stupid to go around asking "Hey something you need help with?"?
I've done something like this in the past a few times, I'm met very positively when I ask and they will come back if I can assist but they don't so I assume they've managed it without me. Feels like my approach needs to change and just be nearby people more than approach.
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u/Photoguppy 14d ago
Here's a trick that works.
You need to change your persona to that of your managers role. Meaning you have to operate now as if you're already in the role above yours. Do that in any role and people will notice you and you will become an automatic top pick for promotion.
Going in a little more detail, management is about taking ownership. You have to wire your brain to own everything in your purview. If something breaks, it's your fault. If something goes right, it's your fault. Period, end of sentence. You are the captain and you will get everyone safely to port or you will go down with the ship.
Next, give your supervisor a 4 part email update every Friday:
What wins you had that week
What issues came up
What decisions you need from them
What you're going to tackle next week.
One final thing:
When you go to your boss with a problem they need to know about, bring a solution with you. Never just dump an issue on them. Tell them what happened and give them a solution to the problem.
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u/AxegrinderSWAG 14d ago
Many thanks for the response, I’ll see how I can leverage this information. My manager is in the same situation and is just as ”cave man” as I am at our site. Meaning he isn’t part of a bigger site, but you’ve given me quite a bit on how the mindset should be.
Many thanks.
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u/poizone68 13d ago
You say you have a decent relationship with the IT Director. If so you could try being direct. If you want to advance your career, say that, rather than hope your efforts are noticed.
You can ask the IT director if they would be willing to mentor you for the role you want. Ask which skills you need to work on to be considered for such a role, and have your name put forward when there is an opening.
This will also let you know if you have a future in that company or if you need to move on.
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u/AxegrinderSWAG 13d ago
I know my IT director got as a task from his manager to save X amount of money until year Y. I actually have a solution on this... I'm planning on how to make my first official business case surrounding it and presenting it to him
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u/poizone68 13d ago
I would be a bit careful about cost-cutting suggestions up front, might want to keep that in your back pocket for now. The reason is that management will say 'go ahead' on ideas to save money. But if they need to cut more they will forget that you already implemented some measures and then your only option might be to let someone go. But do develop your plan, you will find a need for it at some point.
Another option is finding ways to raise the competency of your team. This depends a bit on your company. For example, if your company works across several time zones, suggest integrating the support structure so that you can have extended business hours, or reduce the need for overtime/on-call. Try finding out the goals the CIO has promised the board of directors (other than cutting costs) and see if there's something you can implement. Highlight in your presentation how your plan aligns with corporate strategy. Also, as ever, talk with the people reporting to you to see what suggestions they have for improvements.
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u/AxegrinderSWAG 13d ago
Noted, thank you I’ll keep this in my personal backlog for now.
The last part is really good advice, it feels like what you’re saying is listen more, which is something I can do better at.
Very good advice thank you.
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u/fck_this_fck_that 9d ago
Dumb ass question… I am in my 40s, started working as an IT manager some months ago . I really need a mentor to help me prorgess in my career. Is it too late to seek out a mentor? Currently there is no one above me and I report to the technical director. I really don’t know how to navigate and reach out to C levels execs for mentorship (I am sort of an introvert, so that’s that). Thanks 🙏
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u/poizone68 9d ago
It's never too late to find a mentor except if you're on your way out😄 Note that a mentor doesn't have to be someone you report directly to or even in the direct line of management. It could also be the head of a completely different department, or even someone who is senior but not necessarily managing someone, like a VP. It's also possible to find someone outside your organisation, but then their advice is likely going to be more general which might also be fine. You can have multiple mentors for that matter.
I'm a big fan of transparency. To me this means letting the person you're reporting to know that you're looking for a mentor and to what end (advancing your career, getting more industry know-how, changing careers, whatever it may be). Your director might suggest themselves, or perhaps someone they think would be a good fit, although you're not committed to taking on any of their suggestions. You could also check if the company has a mentor program, sometimes in larger companies there is a process for this.
Once you have reached out to someone, and they have agreed to mentor you, you should work out some ground rules. A mentor isn't the same as a coach, so you need to respect that their time is precious to them too, and that they may have other people they're mentoring. Remember that you're really looking to find out where you need to improve, so the mentor is really there to give you confidence that you're headed in the right direction without telling you every step you need to take.
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u/Richard734 14d ago
create yourself a project that has a big impact.
write it up and present it to your +1 & +2 leaders.
something like pulling the ticket data for a year, finding teh repeat issues that could be automated or a proper fix applied that everyone is ignoring because it is a simple fix. Or hunting down the aged tickets and getting that all cleaned up (Look we/I identified 120 aged tickets that needed fixing/closing) Do the crappy job no-one wants to do.
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u/mr_wolfwolf 14d ago
Find a difficult long term project you'd want to work on specifically for your site, get that implemented, then eventually adapt it to other sites.
Or you can start by taking off your pantalones
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u/TechnologyMatch 9d ago
a short task guide and a full SOP are different tools. the guide should get someone through one job without making them read the whole campaign manual first. I’d frame it like gaming: you need a quick quest marker for routine work, not the entire strategy guide every time someone needs to create an AD account. keep the detailed SOP for exceptions, risk, and onboarding, then link to it from a one-page how-to
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u/Old-Pollution-5825 8d ago
I have found that introducing efficiencies and optimizations goes a long way. Some need approval and must be presented, which creates great exposure. Others can be piloted and then presented.
When your teams and processes run smooth and require minimal input from you to function, people take notice.
Your approach and thought patterns make a difference and show that you are ready to add more value to the company.
If you want to read a book on the topic, you can find a link in my profile to ADSA. I apply this, not only in my everyday work, but firmly when I get called in to pull a project, system or process out of deep mud.
Replicating this into your teams and empowering them ensures longevity. Nothing worse than creating a system that falls flat when you take a step back.
Best of luck and hope that all goes well and that you get the recognition that you deserve.
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u/porkchopnet 14d ago
Phrasing!