Posted: Oct 2, 07 4:32am
Thankfully one of the gifts of hitting middle age is that I've learned not to over-react but I could use some coaching with my current situation. I just took over as Outside Sales Manager and I have five people reporting directly to me. Their previous boss was promoted to Director of Marketing and Sales [DOMS]. The DOMS is my boss. He and I have had a great relationship and continue to do so. He told me when I was promoted that the sales team had been spoiled becasue he was so busy he rarely asked what they were doing and things have since become sloppy. So, I arrrive as the new boss. I'm younger than all five people reporting to me and I have less industry experience but I have superb organizational skills, have managed before and I'm a good salesperson.
The dilema? My five salespeople are all complaining that they don't like being managed. They want the old ways (the old days) when the boss left them alone. I talked to the DOMS and he offered to huddle the team and crack the whip but I think that would only come accross as bad tactics. Any suggestions?







