Coaching Up

Christian sits down with fellow SVPG partner Lea Hickman to tackle a topic that rarely gets discussed openly: coaching up. Why is it taboo to give feedback to your manager? How do you coach leaders who are checked out, micromanaging, or think they’re always right? Hear Lea’s wisdom from her time coaching leaders and leading teams herself at companies like Adobe and IBM.

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Today’s discussion unpacks:

• Why coaching up is different from managing up (and why it matters)

• How to ask for coaching and feedback, even from disengaged or difficult managers

• What to do when your manager thinks they’re always right

• Navigating ego, insecurity, and imposter syndrome in leadership

• How to “manage up” when your manager is new or underqualified

• Using a personal “user manual” to decode your manager’s style

• Why shaping your relationship with your manager is your responsibility too

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References:

• Adobe: https://www.adobe.com/

• IBM: https://www.ibm.com/

• Marty Cagan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cagan/

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Where to find Christian Idiodi:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/

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Where to find Lea Hickman:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahickman/

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Where to find SVPG:

• SVPG’s newest book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/

• Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/

• Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/

• Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/

• Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/

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Timestamps:

(02:18) The taboo of coaching up

(04:04) Coaching up vs. managing up

(05:11) What to do if your manager doesn’t coach you

(08:28) Managers need to learn how to coach

(11:08) Coaching a manager who’s “always right”

(16:19) The real challenges of imposter syndrome

(17:17) How to coach a manager who isn’t engaged

(23:25) Underrated tools to help you coach up

(24:21) Write your own user manual

(31:32) When coaching up doesn’t work

(33:24) Two core skills to become a better employee

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Disclaimer:

While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/

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