Last updated on Jul 10, 2024

Here's how you can provide feedback to your manager in sales engineering while respecting boundaries.

In sales engineering, providing feedback to your manager can be a delicate endeavor. It is vital to approach this task with a balance of honesty and respect, ensuring that your insights contribute positively to the team's dynamics and effectiveness. When done correctly, feedback can lead to improved processes, better communication, and a more cohesive sales engineering team. Remember, your goal is to foster a constructive dialogue that respects both your manager's position and your perspective as an integral part of the sales engineering process.

1 Assess Timing

When considering giving feedback to your manager in sales engineering, timing is crucial. Choose a moment when your manager is likely to be receptive and not preoccupied with immediate pressures. Avoid times of high stress or right before a major deadline. Instead, request a meeting or a one-on-one conversation during a calmer period. This shows respect for their workload and increases the likelihood that your feedback will be heard and considered seriously.

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Mario Leja

Offer Manager ABN Gmbh by Schneider Electric
Um ein Feedback Termin zu vereinbaren ist es wichtig die Terminanfrage auch so zu benennen. Dabei auch schon die Punkt benennen über die man sprechen möchte. Dann bekommt man auch einen Termin in dem man ohne Stress und mit ausreichend Zeit die Punkte besprechen kann.

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2 Prepare Points

Before you meet with your manager, prepare your feedback carefully. Focus on specific situations or behaviors rather than generalities, and be ready to suggest practical solutions. In sales engineering, this might involve process improvements or communication strategies. By being prepared, you demonstrate professionalism and ensure that the conversation remains constructive, rather than venturing into criticism without direction.

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Mary Roshma Baskar

Customer Application Engineer at GE - proficient in extending technical support & fulfilment of customer requirements with ample expertise in Spare Parts recommendation and Product Lifecycle Management.
Being concise is always key when conversing with a manager. Managers never like to hear longer feedbacks. Take up distinct points rather than generic propositions. It is always advisable to put forth value-adding points of discussion when connecting with a manager. Prepare some visual reports to show what you are trying to demonstrate & this will help your views to persist longer in their minds.
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Mario Leja

Offer Manager ABN Gmbh by Schneider Electric
Bei der Vorbereitung ist darauf zu achten das für Aussagen auch beweise geleifert werden. Dann ist Feedback sehr effektiv. Aus dem Feedback sollte auch immer eine Handlungsempfehlung hervorgehen. Damit kann der Manager auch aus dem Feedback Maßnahmen ableiten.

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3 Stay Professional

Maintain a professional tone throughout the conversation. Even if the feedback involves sensitive issues, it's important to communicate with respect and avoid personal attacks. In sales engineering, where collaboration and technical expertise are key, focus on how changes could benefit the team's performance and project outcomes. By keeping the discussion professional, you reinforce your commitment to the team's success.

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Mario Leja

Offer Manager ABN Gmbh by Schneider Electric
Persönliche Befindlichkeiten sollten keinen Einfluss auf die Tatsachen haben. Sobald ein Feedback in eine unprofessionelle, persönliche, eben abrutscht wird das Feedback keine positiven Ergebnisse nach sich ziehen.

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4 Offer Support

Offering support while providing feedback is crucial. After discussing areas for improvement, express your willingness to help implement changes or take on responsibilities that can lead to a positive outcome. In sales engineering, this might mean volunteering to lead a new initiative or assisting in refining a technical sales process. Your proactive stance can turn feedback into a pathway for growth.

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5 Encourage Dialogue

Encourage an open dialogue by inviting your manager to share their perspective. In the context of sales engineering, this might involve discussing the technical or business constraints that influence their decisions. By fostering a two-way conversation, you not only show respect for their experience but also create an opportunity for mutual learning and understanding.

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6 Follow Up

Finally, following up after providing feedback is essential. This could involve setting up another meeting to discuss progress or sending a brief email summarizing the conversation and next steps. In sales engineering, where projects are often fast-paced and dynamic, regular check-ins can ensure that feedback leads to actionable results and demonstrates your commitment to continuous improvement.

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Mario Leja

Offer Manager ABN Gmbh by Schneider Electric
Regelmeeting als Feedbackrund hilft der ständigen Verbesserung. In einem solchen Rahmen kann auch immer die Überprüfung von Maßnahmen eines Feedbacks vorgenommen werden.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can provide feedback to your manager in sales engineering while respecting boundaries.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Timing

2 Prepare Points

3 Stay Professional

4 Offer Support

5 Encourage Dialogue

6 Follow Up

7 Here’s what else to consider

Sales Engineering

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Here's how you can provide feedback to your manager in sales engineering while respecting boundaries.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Timing

2 Prepare Points

3 Stay Professional

4 Offer Support

5 Encourage Dialogue

6 Follow Up

7 Here’s what else to consider

Sales Engineering

Rate this article

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