Show Your Boss You're Management Material

What do you do when you want to become a manager, but you’ve been told, “You’re not management material”? If you still believe you’d make a great manager, what’s your plan of action? Do the same things you'd do after hearing other disappointing news at work. Here's your action plan: 

Prove it
Being a manager requires emotional intelligence and this is your opportunity to prove you have it. Instead of focusing on your boss's rejection, see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. It’s time to show your boss you can handle difficult feedback and communicate effectively with those who disagree with you. 

Step back
Instead of reacting to the feedback you’ve gotten, tell your boss you appreciate his or her candor. It's always better to get honest feedback than to be kept in the dark about what your boss really thinks. Tell her you’d like to continue the conversation after you’ve had time to think about it. Now step back and take the time to process how you feel and to frame your thoughts about what your boss has said. 

Clarify
When you talk with your boss again, ask her to share what she thinks you can improve upon. Make sure you get specifics so you know what to do about them. This isn’t the time to argue, it’s time to listen and understand. Ask questions, listen fully and take notes.

Communicate 
After you’ve had time to think through what your boss said, come up with a plan of how you will grow into the manager your company needs. Share your plan with your boss and ask for feedback. The two of you will either be on the same page or not. If you are, start implementing your plan, complete with agreed upon times to review your progress. However, if your boss still thinks you’re not management material, it’s time to consider finding another boss within your company or another company that believes in you.

- Alan Allard, Executive Coach