Awkward meeting with VP of company after promotion

[xinfamousxi]

I was just promoted to Manager at work after starting there from the bottom three years ago. Its a consulting firm for different companies like American Express, Verizon, Discover, etc. Basically they hire us to review their data (calls between their customer service agents and customers) and discover trends to help improve sales. Its a really great place and not much competition. We are really good at what we do and always delivering a return on investment to our clients.

Well anyways I was promoted to Manager on Thursday and Friday I had a very interesting interview with VP. He talked about how great I was and how they have seen how well I progressed since I started. Then he just went another direction and started explaining how I have to promote myself as a brand and separate from co-workers as their friends and start dressing like the job I want.

Now he never said for me to change my wardrobe or that I had to stop talking to most of the people under me as friends, but I had the impression that I'm supposed too. I in no way wear dirty clothes but I do dress pretty casual (it was allowed) jordans, jeans and a T shirt and I am really close to everyone there.


This whole meeting was just really weird.

[ssrs2lt]

It seems he wants you to upgrade your appearance. I read a report once that said the best way to resolve conflict with a boss is to ask direct questions about expectations. Oh btw congratulations!

[xinfamousxi]

Originally Posted by ssrs2lt

It seems he wants you to upgrade your appearance. I read a report once that said the best way to resolve conflict with a boss is to ask direct questions about expectations. Oh btw congratulations!

I kind of got that, but whats weird is the dress code is casual and I have never been told anything before. I guess what troubles me more is the separation from friends/co workers. Some of these people come to my house on weekly basis to watch football games and boxing. lol

[masterguns95 1LE]

Dress the part.

[xinfamousxi]

I bought some new clothes this weekend either way. I didn't go all out suit and tie because no one there wears a tie. I bought some dress shirts, slacks, and ties.

[Silverlsinva]

I think the reason he wants you to separate from you coworkers as friends cause of the conflicts that might arise. Like what if you had to let go one of these friends or fire them or maybe ask them to change their hours or schedule. And being a manager they might try to guilt trip you into not doing those things. Its why spouses aren't allowed to work under one another at most businesses also you don't want to seem to give special treatment to the ones who are your friends as the ones who aren't will prolly gossip and complain about it. Just my opinion and what I have seen where I work. Also Being a manager meaning a promotion so dress like you want to go farther than being a manager maybe further up in the company.

[hrpiii]

Originally Posted by xinfamousxi

I bought some new clothes this weekend either way. I didn't go all out suit and tie because no one there wears a tie. I bought some dress shirts, slacks, and ties.

That is what they are looking for. More "up casual", like Stafford-type dress pants and a polo/collar/dress shirt. Congrats. For formal meetings with the VP and companies, wear the tie. Also, when you wear the tie, don't make a big deal of it by going "Hey, I wore a tie today, is this okay". Yes, it is okay, be normal, be professional.

[Outlaw77]

Originally Posted by masterguns95 1LE

Dress the part.

This. I went from front line recruiter/customer service worker to sr./regional management and how you carry yourself is very important. Dressing the part gives you confidence and shows everyone else around you that you take this seriously. Don't squander the opportunity over dress code.

[Smoke 'em]

Originally Posted by Silverlsinva

I think the reason he wants you to separate from you coworkers as friends cause of the conflicts that might arise. Like what if you had to let go one of these friends or fire them or maybe ask them to change their hours or schedule. And being a manager they might try to guilt trip you into not doing those things. Its why spouses aren't allowed to work under one another at most businesses also you don't want to seem to give special treatment to the ones who are your friends as the ones who aren't will prolly gossip and complain about it. Just my opinion and what I have seen where I work. Also Being a manager meaning a promotion so dress like you want to go farther than being a manager maybe further up in the company.

This kind of stuff has a lot to do with it. Not everyone is able to separate business from friendship. I was in some type of management roll for 15 plus years. Only 2 times did I just walk into management. The rest of the time I worked my way up from the bottom. I was able to separate the 2. Case in point, I actually fired both of my roommates at one company I worked for and these were people who at the time helped pay my bills. Think what you want of me but that is what a lot of them are looking for. At an interview once when I was getting promoted to a supervisor position, two of the questions they asked were do you have a problem with letting people go and the second one was what if you were close to them? Deep down I don't think anyone wants to have to fire someone. Now if that person was just one of those that really deserved it because they had a case of can't get right then that made it easier. When it is someone you are close to then it becomes a bit harder. We are still friends to this day. Anyway, when I told them about that story in the interview they didn't really know what to say. Sometimes that is just the way it is. The thing with the clothes is not so much that they had a problem with the way you dressed it is like a couple of other people have said already, just dress the part. Sometimes it just means to bring it up a notch or instead of casual, wear business casual. Congrats by the way and good luck with your future endeavors.

[John Galt]

Originally Posted by xinfamousxi

Well anyways I was promoted to Manager on Thursday and Friday I had a very interesting interview with VP. He talked about how great I was and how they have seen how well I progressed since I started. Then he just went another direction and started explaining how I have to promote myself as a brand and separate from co-workers as their friends and start dressing like the job I want.

You should take this as a significant vote of confidence that your VP took the time to sit with you and tell you these things. Follow his advice.

In a month or so, you should meet with him again, ask him how he thinks you are doing in your new role, what you can do better and where you need to focus.

[xinfamousxi]

I found out today the reason for the talk. We had a meeting this afternoon and apparently my new job will require me to have lunch and meet with clients when they come into town. Also received the team I would be managing officially. They also let me know of a few that have been suffering performance wise and to keep an eye on them (2 are best friends).

I got a company AMEX card today! Kind of like this management stuff making me reconsider Accounting.

[Number 3]

Well some good points in your discussion with the VP.

First hisnpoint on your brand, your personal brand is very important. What do you want people think about you when they hear your name.

Second, it is very difficult to be close friends with someone and give them direction. There is a different level of respect you need to show your boss than your friend.

But separation can also mean to separate yourself from your peers. How do differentiate yourself from them? What value do you bring that they don't? This is your next step now that you've reached the management level. Think of it this way, you differentiated yourself from your peers by the quality of your work. But the rest of your new peers did that too. So how do you differentiate yourself from this group to be considered for that next promotion?

[paulik87]

Being the best at what you do at your job is one thing, becoming management is a whole different beast. One could be the best at their job but a crappy manager.

Having to give people direction, have meetings about their lack of performance, and other personnel issues is absolutely the number one worst part of the job. It's a completely different set of skills you have to either learn, or get out of management.

Looking at the companies you have worked with, have you ever seen upper corporate management be buddy buddy with co workers that aren't also in the upper corp management? I know I haven't. Unless it's your own company most upper mgt expects you to be pretty straight and to the point with employees under you from my experience at least.

Coming from the bottom and making buddies with most of your co workers and then becoming their boss is extremely difficult for most. It almost feels sometimes you have to pick friendship, or career. You would think most employees would respect what you have to do but unfortunately that is not always the case.

Congrats on your new promotion and keep us updated with how it goes! Sounds like you have a pretty good grasp on what they expect from the meeting.

[Jay_LHD3]

Congrats!