IEEE-USA InFocus

IEEE-USA’s Free eBooks to Members in October and November Offer Tips on Managing Your Manager and Engineering Licensure

By Sharon Richardson

In October, IEEE-USA eBooks will offer Would Have Liked to Know That! ” Book 2: Managing your Manager, by Maura Schreier-Fleming.

In Managing Your Manager, Book 2 of this series, Schreier-Fleming writes that managers give clues about how you should work with them.  She outlines what those clues are, and also helps you develop effective persuasion strategies for working with your manager. According to Schreier-Fleming, the ultimate goal is to be more productive, have less stress, and be more likely to get what you want, as you work with your manager.

The author shares that in gathering clues to create rapport with your manager, you must recognize that there are two dimensions of behavior. One dimension is assertiveness, how other people perceive you to be–forceful or directive of people or situations–the degree that other people see you influencing the thoughts and actions of others. She points out that there are varying degrees of assertiveness, and it’s not better or worse to be more, or less, assertive. It’s just different. And when you work with your manager, it’s your job to note the difference, and plan your relationship accordingly.

The other dimension of behavior to note is responsiveness–the way people perceive you to be comfortable showing or hiding your feelings. Schreier-Fleming reiterates that you will have to determine whether the person you are observing is either more responsive, or more controlled (less responsive).

She explores many clues that will help you make decisions about the person you are analyzing–from handshakes to facial expressions and body language.

The author shares that you must also know your own assertiveness and responsiveness level. One way to do that is to ask a really good friend how they perceive you.  Be prepared to make adjustments, only for short periods of time–remembering that you are adapting to different behaviors, so the other person will feel comfortable. When they feel comfortable, you build trust, and you can more easily persuade.

Some of the other topics in Managing Your Manager include:

  • Determine Your Manager’s Style–When you combine and study the two dimensions of behavior, you will begin to notice people’s different styles.
  • How To Manage Your Manager: Driver–People who are more assertive and controlled
  • How to Manage Your Manager: Analytical–People who are less assertive and controlled
  • How To Manage Your Manager: Expressive–Assertive people who are responsive
  • How To Manage Your Manager: Amiable–Less assertive people who are responsive

In conclusion, the author expresses that “Engineers are likely to experience working for many different managers over the course of their career. They need to learn the important skills of building rapport with others. It’s the only way to make a working relationship with one’s manager more productive-and less stressful!

From 1 October to 15 November, you can get your free e-book to download by going to https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6978834 . Log in with your IEEE Web account, add the book to your cart and use promo code OCTFREE at checkout.

NOVEMBER FREE E-BOOK

In November, IEEE-USA eBooks will offer The Best of Today’s Engineer: On Licensure – Volume 1, compiled by Georgia C. Stelluto.

This compilation of articles will help the reader understand why one should pursue licensure; the licensure process; exam development; and how to effectively study for and pass the licensure exams.

Other IEEE-USA eBooks are available at a discount to members at: https://ieeeusa.org/shop/.

CALL FOR AUTHORS

IEEE-USA eBooks seeks authors to write an e-book, or an e-book series, on career guidance and development topics. If you have an idea you think will benefit members in a particular area of expertise, please email your proposal to IEEE-USA Publishing Manager Georgia C. Stelluto at g.stelluto@ieee.org and IEEE-USA eBook Chair Gus Gaynor at g.gaynor@ieee.org.

IEEE-USA eBooks: https://ieeeusa.org/shop//

Web: www.ieeeusa.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ieeeusa

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ieeeusa

Join IEEE: www.ieee.org/join


Sharon Richardson is IEEE-USA’s Coordinator, Publishing & Communications

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Guest Contributor

IEEE-USA is an organizational unit of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE), created in 1973 to support the career and public policy interests of IEEE’s U.S. members. IEEE-USA is primarily supported by an annual assessment paid by U.S. IEEE Members.

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