You’ve identified someone who could definitely grow into a managerial role, but you’re not sure how to coach them. What you need is a career development framework that is built especially to transition reps into managers.
In this episode, I get to chat with Taylor Corr, the Head of US Corporate Sales at Quantcast, about the value of management training and how self-knowledge makes you a better coach.
I’m looking forward to Taylor’s unique insights on:
- Qualities of future leaders, including eagerness
- Management training starts with emotional intelligence
- How keeping a manager journal helps you identify opportunities for praise
- Giving and getting feedback that works
- Advice for aspiring managers on preparing yourself to lead
Let’s dive deeper!
How Do You Identify Future Leaders?
Succeeding in a leadership position offers its own distinct challenges, and not everyone is management material.
So what’s the best way to find and nurture those with the skills needed to lead?
They’re the folks who are sharing best practices proactively just because they want to. Discover who on your team is eager to take on new projects and new responsibilities.
Surprisingly, there’s not a whole lot of organic, real-world manager training out there.
But the raw materials you can build from are people skills, emotional intelligence, an empathic coaching style, and exceptional communication abilities.
Self-Reflection Makes Better Leaders
As you learn more about what it takes to cut the managerial mustard, you need to identify your own strengths, weaknesses, and motivations.
Find your triggers and the inner fortitude to not let them affect your external response.
Of course, you’re going to be faced with frustrations, underperforming reps, the ups and downs of life in this crazy world.
Maintain your thinking capacity, and never let them see you sweat.
Put It in Writing
Keeping a management journal might sound like a drag, but it’s a valuable exercise for aspiring leaders.
Take ten minutes at the end of your day to organize your thoughts, your impressions of the day’s interactions, uplifting aspects, and things that you perceived as a challenge.
This is crucial for helping you develop the awareness that you need to be a true leader. Your journal is also the perfect place to record inspirations and moments when you could offer praise.
Establishing Yourself
Taylor says that aspiring leaders should raise their hands and jump into the ring as early as possible.
Build a solid foundation from the start with strong relationships and good communication lines with cross-functional staffers. Mingle with managers you admire.
Having a vision for yourself is crucial for the evolution into an effective leader.
No one wants to work under a manager or leader who needs praise. You should be pushing all of it down to your team.
Taylor’s Key Highlights
- Seek feedback and develop a framework for delivering yours.
- Focus on your emotional intelligence and self-knowledge.
- Learn what motivates and challenges you.
- Recognize the wins and the good that you’re doing.
- Invest in building a management training program.
For more engaging sales conversations like this, subscribe to the Sales Engagement Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts, and find more episodes on our blog.
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