MISS MANAGEMENT
CAROL LEVEY | LEVEY ENTERPRISES
Chasing the Dream Job
I have spent three years at the same property and proved myself as a maintenance
tech before becoming an assistant maintenance manager. I was waiting for my own
property, but had to switch companies to get one,s but the new company is not as good
as my old company. I’ve since learned that my old company has promoted several people
into maintenance supervisors. I guess I could have been one of those promoted. I’ve never
been lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time.
H
ey not-so-lucky, maybe a fresh look will
change your future. You sound like
you’re great at maintenance; maybe not
so much as an accomplished manager? Why would
I believe that? Well, a manager looks for oppor-
tunities to take charge, direct communication,
confront situations and control results.
You were given opportunities to grow and take
charge at your previous company. Your mainte-
nance skills were recognized and rewarded. Your
employer was demonstrating a company goal to
encourage your career path while motivating you
to be patient until the best fit for you and the
www.aamdhq.org
company that knows you well could be lined up.
They have been providing people support which
happens at good companies.
If I can be direct and you did ask; it’s you that
dropped the ball! Your career is your responsibil-
ity to manage. Accomplished managers understand
this. Now it appears that you would rather com-
plain to an offsite friend instead of managing
expectations at the company that supports your
career. An assertive manager would direct com-
munication by inquiring about your performance
in the assistant role while getting specific sugges-
tions about improvements necessary to groom
your ability to “hit the ground running” in the
new manager post. You had an “inside track” to
stay up on the progress and/or stumbling blocks
to your career path.
Going forward please remember what ac-
complished managers learn. Transparent com-
munication and direct confrontation will give you
the upper hand to control results. Though I wish
you luck with your career, I would remind you
that “luck is what bystanders observe when prep-
aration meets opportunity.”
MAY 2017 • TRENDS | 13