Our favorite takeaways from the Manager Summit Podcast Clubs
Earlier, we shared the six podcasts recommended by our S-Team that formed the basis of the last Manager Summit. We’re back with our favorite takeaways from these episodes and from the discussions managers had — and as a result, how we can all apply them to our careers at Dropbox. Here they are:
1. Be open about your career ambitions.
Your manager can only help you get the skills and experience to reach your career goals if they know what they are. Carve out time away to think holistically about your career, build your goals into your Personal Growth Plan, and then talk it through with them. When someone leaves a team there is often extra opportunity to expand your role and grow — take advantage of it. They want to help you grow in your career ambitions, both at Dropbox and beyond.
2. Leave your ego at the door.
No one has all the answers. Being open about your weaknesses helps build trust with your team and reach a solution quicker. This ties back to our Own It value — taking ownership not just of our wins, but also when things don’t go according to plan.
3. Cultivate a culture of curiosity.
Curiosity is the basis of all innovation. Without questioning why things are the way they are, and considering an alternative, our products and culture would never evolve. Unleash your inner child and be extra curious for a week. Ask questions in team meetings, make time for brainstorming, and look for inspiration somewhere new — you never know where it might lead.
4. Be clear when giving feedback.
Sharing feedback can feel awkward or confronting, something many of us shy away from. The result can be that we are not direct or specific enough for the person on the receiving end to learn anything from it. No matter who you are giving feedback to, reframe it in your mind as an act of contribution, not one of accusation. When done in the right way, it can greatly support a colleagues’ learning, while also building their trust.
5. Narrow your focus.
If you have ten priorities, really you have none — it’s too many for you to focus and get in flow. Whether it’s in your role at Dropbox or your life in general, identify your top priority and remove other distractions to focus fully on it. If it isn’t possible to do this all the time (let’s be realistic!), try it out for a few hours and see what you can achieve.