To feel intimidated having a really senior line manager?

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I'm junior at work, 1 year into a graduate-level job. We have 2 line managers, and one of my line managers has recently left. I found out today who my new line manager is and it will be the head of the department, who is my manager's manager's manager. I feel quite intimidated about it as I don't really work with this manager, and will now be having weekly 1:1 meetings with them.

Has anyone else had quite a senior line manager?

Yes I was in the same situation as you and felt very nervous.
However I tried to be professional, show them I was willing to work hard and keen to learn.
You also need to remember they are humans too; if you get too nervous just imagine them having a big shit. We all have to go!

I could imagine it could be really good for your career if you play it right - they should have sway in terms of promotions etc.

Yes, it's nerve wracking but it won't be once you've met them a few times.

I used to be terrified when I had to present at board meetings, now I just shrug and view it as normal. I used to worry when I got a call from the director of finance, now I don't worry at all. I still worry if I get a call from the chief exec though!

Look for the positives and see if you can use it as a mentoring opportunity if they seem amenable.

I had this situation and it turned out to be the best experience of my career. We got to know each other, worked well together, he sung my praises and it got me to where I am today which is Director level. Just do your best and you'll be fine. It could be the making of you

I've had this. It worked out really well for me. Now I'm a senior manager and apparently junior colleagues now feel then same if I ask to catch up with them.

My manager is also a head of. Four levels above me. I'm not quite sure how he ended up managing me but I've threatened to resign if there's ever a reshuffle and I'm given to someone more appropriate. He's absolutely approachable, totally has my back, has been very supportive when I've had a period of health issues and needed to take extended time off and/or work short hours, and doesn't believe in micro managing or clock watching so just leaves me to get on with it and trusts me to ask for help when I need it. I wish he was the blueprint for managers.

He was off for a while, and I reported temporarily into his boss - a director. No problems there at all. Less likely to chat shit with me during a quiet ten minutes, but also completely supportive with all work stuff, and understanding of any issues.

I've had line managers just a level or two above me and they've been useless for myriad reasons. Micro managing is the thing that winds me up the most, it's incredibly demotivational. I'm an adult with years of experience and many professional qualifications - let me do my job. I'll deliver you a good quality piece of work well ahead of deadline, but it'll be a lot less good and will take me a lot longer if you're breathing down my neck.

Ultimately it depends on the individual but really don't be intimidated by seniority, it's no indication that they'll be difficult.

My DH is director level in a large company. Obviously, I don't know what your manager will be like, but my DH gets nervous and worries about things just like everyone else. He's really nice and cares about people. There have been times he has found out so-and-so was intimidated by him, or worried about meeting with him or whatever, and he finds that so strange. He doesn't see himself that way - it's just a job title. I can understand why you are nervous, but being senior doesn't automatically mean you're an arsehole, I promise 😁

I had a similar situation but actually it really boosted my career as my ideas where being heard by someone at the top direct from me, rather than through other people (if that makes sense) and gave me an appreciate of what they do and them an appreciation of what I did - I do think I got opportunities and advice that I wouldn't have from a manager at a different level

No need to worry! They were starting out at one point the same as you.

Work hard, be professional and ask for advice if you're not sure rather than trying to muddle through because you feel afraid to ask.

This could really work in your favour, having a 'friend in a high place'. Theyll have sight of a lot of projects and upcoming positions that someone less senior wouldn't and if you come across as a keen, competent and personable pair of hands then theyll see your potential in terms of what you can do for them and the company.

Note that this doesn't mean you're expected to know everything and have equivalent experience and knowledge as them. Just be professional and eager to learn. Try and think of potential solutions rather than just approaching them with problems (once you're settled in).

This is an opportunity- chill and make the most of it!

Just know they sit on the toilet like everyone else . You'll be fine .

See it for the opportunity that it is.
A lot of big companies have quite a wider structure - I’ve been bumped up and down the “levels from me to the top” many many times across various roles and projects.

Yep, as @hattie43 says, they are just a person, like you or like me.

No magical powers.

Yes, and it was genuinely one of the best career moves ever - mentorship and advice from someone who has a high level of business skill. It will be great and - extra plus side - you'll be one of the easiest people they manage as your work-problems will tend to be of the easier-to-fix variety (usually) so they will look forward to your catch ups.

Yes, happened to me. I was taken 'under their wing' and learned loads more than similar grade colleagues. He'd asked to manage me (not in a creepy way) because he thought I had potential and showed initiative when something had gone wrong.

It's a good thing!

I think this is a great point.

When I manage people, pretty much all I want is for them to engage brain, follow instructions when given and ask sensible questions.

If someone comes to me with an issue, the ideal is either:

I've come across this issue, I think my options are X and Y. I think I should do Y because Z, do you agree?

Or I have come across this issue. I have tried A, B and C but I am out of ideas. Do you have anything you can recommend/anyone who I should speak to?

Doesn't matter if Y is the right answer or not, I just don't want: I have this issue...<silence>

I used to hate it when managers told me "come to me with solutions, not problems" because I was only every going to them after I had tried options A to E. But some people I have managed don't try anything at all to fix their own problems and that's exausting.

It's absolutely fine to have the odd thing where you just have no clue, or even many things at the start of a role, but if it's all the time and you just come with issues you have made no attempt to fix it's exhausting.

I think this is a fantastic opportunity if you can pitch it right and they're a broadly nice person though!

what are you nervous of?

You're going to be working with a very senior, very experienced person who knows the ropes and can be a really excellent mentor and trainer to you.

If there's a 30 to 40 year age gap, how comfortable is that! No sexual tension; no pressure to be social pals outside of work. A person that age has been through the mill themselves, and is more likely to take a broad, patient view of your mistakes and problems (because they've seen it all before).

They've already made it up the career ladder, so there's no element of competition . Ifprogress you do very well, they aren't going to be jealous or resentful of your success, or feel threatened , as a much younger line manager might be. They can encourage you without you wondering if there's any hidden agenda.

This is such a great opportunity OP, embrace it

This

Really don't worry about it at all.

I've never felt very senior but my team moved to a few desks in the corner of our call centre whilst our office was being refurbed. Had some nice chats in the kitchen with people then a few weeks later everyone's behaviour changed, opening doors for us and' after you' at the tea point. I suspect I'm the same grade as their managers, managers, managers, manager but I'm just a person!

Anyway take your lead from them, at higher levels far more time in meetings is spent chatting/building relationships than doing the work so be prepared to chat about your life and thoughts. Tell them what you want out of your career and show them you're good and it'll open doors.

I'm sorry to say it's worked a bit differently for me in the past, with the very senior person cancelling meetings constantly and barely tuning in. He made it clear I was so far below his attention and I'm not sure he could have picked me out of a line-up.

But that was a dysfunctional office and the stories here are more encouraging, I hope your senior person is better!

Thank you all - I'm sure there will definitely be benefits to it and you've helped me see that.

I guess I'm mainly nervous as I never really know what to say during line manager meetings. I have 30 minute meetings once a meeting, and a lot of times I run out of things to say during the first 10 minutes...

I had this feeling also. My previous roles had about 7 or 8 lines of seniority above me but I've just moved into a role which my boss is director and her boss is the CEO and its nerve racking at first but you just have to remember they're just humans too. It's great being that close to making some real influence to the business.

I'm on the Exec team so am senior to everyone, apart from the others on my level and the Principal/CEO. I can honestly say I don't treat anyone differently based on their level. I know that won't apply to every senior manager, but don't let their seniority alone worry you. I look at whether someone is performing in line with their job specification and achieving their targets, it's better if they are and we can just discuss how well they are doing and if they have any ideas of how they want to progress, etc.

Do you have a notebook set up where you put things on there you want to discuss whenever you think of them?

I'm not a bullet journaller or anything like that, but I have one work notebook. The back I use for things I need to discuss in meetings, and the front for meeting notes, to do lists etc.

I would also give it a few weeks, but I have several standing meetings that stay in the diary so we have the diary time if we need it, but we make a decision on whether or not we need the time that morning. That works quite well for me because getting diary time back is a joyous thing and most people are pleased. If you don't have anything to say that week then cancel it.

Or maybe it takes ten minutes - you don't have to sit there chatting awkwardly for the rest of the half hour "I think that's my list, is there anything else you want to discuss" is my go to for meetings.

But remember one to ones aren't just for immediate issues, they're for planning progression i.e. do you need to take particular courses, is there are area you want to specialise in, are there areas of the business where you need more exposure, do you want to be planning a secondment, what are the next steps so you'll be ready for a promotion in 18 months or whatever - or even asking about their career. I find finding out how people got to where they are is a very useful exercise.