[mharroun]

This is hard... like your directs you need to manage your manager as well and try to understand them.

For your manager, you should have (or try to force) at least meetings every 2-4 weeks where you can ask what you can improve on or what they feel is missing/lacking in your team/department. Always come back next meeting with ways you have improved or reacted to their comments. If they are a decent boss they will always be honest with you.

As for how to tell if things are going well internally...

- does your team(s) feel happy/proud on what they delivered? - does your team(s) seem happy and enjoy working with each other? - do they focus on deliverables/value and not get caught up on petty issues?

are some questions to ask.