Questions: Your Manager
Questions is a category designed to help technicians who are already working in the field figure out if their place of employment is getting it done for them.
Note: some companies use both a supervisor and a manager. The manager is sometimes referred to as the service manager, the operations manager, the installation manager or the general manager. Sometimes this person owns the company. We’ll discuss the supervisor position in the future.
Has your manager communicated in clear and concise language what he expects from you in regards to?
- personal hygeine, image and dress
- education
- safety
- your vehicle
- customers
- coworkers
- work related responsibilities
- performance
- being punctual
Has your manager communicated in clear and concise language what you can expect from him?
Does your manager (or a person whom he designates), make sure you have the necessary tools and equipment to do your job?
Does your manager make sure you have the opportunity to do what you do best everyday?
Does your manager praise you for doing good work?
Do you feel appreciated by your manager?
Do you think the job you do matters to your manager?
How would he felt if you quit?
Does your manager offer recognition for your effort in front of your coworkers?
Does your manager seem to care about you as a person?
Does your manager know your wife’s name? Your children’s?
Do you know your manager’s spouses’ name? His children’s?
Does your manager know what your hobbies are?
Has he ever tried to incorporate them in your job?
Does your manager encourage your personal and professional development?
Does your opinion seem to count to your manager?
Does your manager listen to your concerns?
Does your manager have an overly inflated ego?
Does your manager lie?
How many times per year does your manager meet with you to discuss your performance?
Does he offer advice for how to improve your performance?
Is there anytime in which performance is discussed when your pay is not discussed?
Is your manager aware of your strengths?
Is your manager aware of your weaknesses?
Would you say your manager concentrates more on your strengths or more on your weaknesses?
Does your manager seem so wrapped up in whatever he is doing that he doesn’t have time for you?
Do you feel comfortable approaching your manager with a problem?
How does your manager feel about feedback on his performance?
Has your manager ever been recognized within your industry for anything?
How does your manager feel about trade associations?
Does he consider them as a resource or a waste of time?
Has your manager ever told you to do something that was not safe?
Did you feel your job would be in jeopardy if you didn’t do it?
Can you describe how your manager attempts to develop as a professional?
Has anyone ever quit your company because of your manager?
Could you describe your manager’s personal organization system?
How does your manager feel about online learning?
Does he belong to any online communities?
Does your manager use e-mail to communicate with you?
Does your manager usually keep his vehicle neat and clean?
Is his office neat, clean and organized?
Would you describe his appearance as professional?
Have you ever smelled alcohol on your manager during a workday?
Does your manage use swear words?
If your manager is a male, is he respectful to women?
Is your manager respectful to folks who are considered minorities?
Does your manager keep coworkers on board when they clearly are incapable of doing their job?
Does your manager keep you informed on what is going on within your company?
Does your manager keep you informed on what is going on within your industry?
Does your manager help you assemble resources?
How does your manager feel about industry certifications?
Has your manager ever had discussions with you related to your career?
Has he discussed career paths within your company?
Is there anyone in your company who has journeyed down an interesteing career path within your company?
Was your manager part of it in anyway?
Does your manager care about how you treat your customers?
Has your manager ever told you his vision of a great company? Of how great your company could be?
Did you feel as if he were blowing smoke? Or do you think it’s possible?
When you’re on a job and you call your manager for help, does he just tell you what to do or does he try to teach you at the same time?
