My leaders are busy
I don’t want to add burden to them.
Having skip-level meetings is uncomfortable. I completely understand the hesitation around scheduling those meetings with higher-ups. Been there, done that! My stomach would turn even before I requested a meeting. One of the reasons that caused me discomfort in the beginning was that the higher-ups were all men. The men figures in my personal life were the decision makers, the ones with a stronger voice, and the ones with the upper hand (both physically and metaphorically).
Not surprisingly, many women in tech that I coach share similar worries:
Leader overload: I don't want to add burden to their busy schedules!
Imposter syndrome: I don't have anything important to share.
Managerial mind games: What if my direct manager gets weird about it?
The stranger danger effect: I simply don't know these leaders that well. How do I initiate such a meeting?
But, these skip-level meetings are valuable and critical.
You're not a burden: Leaders are there to support growth, and these meetings offer insights they might not get otherwise. As a leader, it’s important for them to always know of the pulse of the front line and the experience of the people who are in the field. And, if they are executives, they know how to prioritize their time. You don’t have to make a decision for them.
Your voice matters: You DO have valuable perspectives and ideas to share. Don't underestimate your impact! Think about what you might know that you skip-level leader doesn't know but it's important for them to know.
Advocacy all around: Not every manager champions their team to the next level, don't assume your skip-level knows about your talent and your great work. These meetings help build relationships that can benefit you in the long run.
For the teams I lead, I actively schedule skip-level meetings with my team members. I also encourage my direct team member to have skip level meetings with my manager. As a leader, I consider that it’s my responsibility to listen to the team members and develop them as leaders.
You're simply requesting a chat and having a meaningful conversation, getting to know each other included. So, what are you waiting for? Don’t skip that skip level meeting.
