I've been working for this company for about a year and half as an assistant to the COO of a software company. He told me yesterday that he will be taking over the Sales department because (his words) "it is majorly f*cked up". He said he needs my help to (his words) "unf*uck it up." Well, I see this opportunity as my big chance to show him what I can do and help my career along. His previous assistant is now a manager at the company so I know I have a possible future career here. We are meeting tomorrow to make a list of information we need to gather so we can begin the renewal process. My question is, I'm not really the outgoing or perservering type and don't really know how or what to do in this situation. I just feel like if I really don't pull through on this I may lose my chances at showing my boss what I'm made of.
I would say just don't be afraid to offer ideas and opinions, he obviously values your opinion. And if you don't agree with something he says and want to offer a different idea, be sure to first validate his idea somehow, like say "That's a good idea, I like this and this about it, but what if we tried this". Good luck!
My advice: Have confidence and believe in yourself! Your boss obviously wants your help and input because he respects your intelligence and experience (like FP said). Take this affirmation from him and morph it into momentum to propel yourself into the project with everything you have to offer. If you put forth a solid effort, it will show, and even if you slip up here and there, your boss will know that you've done your job in good faith and to the best of your ability. No one in business is perfect, and no one is expecting you to be.... just hold your head high and visualize success. You can do it! Good luck!!
Honestly, I would make a list of things I think, then try to suss out what he thinks, and focus on the overlap. But seriously, don't get too caught up the idea of proving what you can do. The boss has ALREADY paid you a huge compliment. You've already proved to him what you can do, which is why he asked you to help. And it's entirely possible that a lot of factors in the situation are out of your control, so if you identify too closely with the project, you'll stress yourself out unecessarily AND possibly look bad by taking blame for things that aren't really your fault. Good luck - and congrats on such a nice compliment!
(Oh, and it's also a good idea to be a little cautious because if the boss is a jerk, he could be giving you an unwinnable project so that he's not too closely associated with it and has a built in fall guy, but that's just something to keep in the back of your head. It's probably not what's going on...)
(Oh, and it's also a good idea to be a little cautious because if the boss is a jerk, he could be giving you an unwinnable project so that he's not too closely associated with it and has a built in fall guy, but that's just something to keep in the back of your head. It's probably not what's going on...)
That's definitely not what's going. My boss is one of the nicest guys I've ever worked for