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How to Manage your Boss
«on:
09/18/04 at 17:23:12 » |
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'My boss is totally autocratic and fickle,' complains one executive. 'I don't know where I stand. I'm supposed to be in control of my division, but ultimately there's absolutely nothing that goes on without him having some say in it. Even down to ordering paper clips. He's friendly to me one minute and stabbing me in the back the next.
'He's made a lot of money for the organization and because of this, fellow directors seem unwilling to tackle his behaviour, and HR are afraid to do anything about it in case they are blamed for his leaving.'
Fortunately, if the behaviour of a boss becomes too objectionable then natural forces intervene: People leave. Even the highest earning boss becomes a liability when he fails to retain manpower. But leaving carries a whiff of defeat and is not always the best, or even a viable, option.
Why is my boss difficult?
Before looking at your behaviour it is worth examining exactly what you think it is that makes your boss so hard to deal with. According to Adrianne Roseanne of Fairplace Consulting, individuals have problems with their bosses for the following reasons:
• The boss is overly-controlling and directive and doesn't give individuals reporting to them enough freedom and autonomy.
• The values of the boss are different from those of the employee(s) that report to them. For example, the boss may be highly competitive and driven to succeed at work, while the individual(s) may be more eager for an easy life.
• The boss is subject to work pressures and has a wide remit, which does not leave them enough time to manage their team.
• The boss is aggressive, intimidating, and possibly even bullying.
First step to gel with a difficult boss
Whatever the source of the difficulty, relationships with bosses are governed by one simple and ineluctable fact: They are professional relationships. Disputes occur in the context of the workplace.
Jaquie Drake, professor at the Praxis Centre of the Cranfield School of Management, says that there is a tendency to personalise what is essentially a professional affair. It's all too easy, she says, to categories your boss as the enemy. Work-related comments are therefore liable to be taken personally the boss is seen as an obstacle to personal advancement.
Instead of succumbing to this kind of negative perception, Drake suggests you put yourself in your boss's position. Try to think how your boss would think. Try to understand what he or she is seeking to achieve. Understand the pressures that they face.
Improving your own assertiveness is crucial in handling controlling or bullying bosses. The problem with assertiveness is that, while it is not aggression, if mismanaged, it can easily be mistaken for aggression.
Taming the beast
Seek advice. Tap into the knowledge of your manager - educate yourself and simultaneously massage their ego.
Cultivate them. Positions of power and authority are attained as a result of business acumen and good connections. Recognize, acknowledge, and cultivate your boss's expertise.
Avoid being a know-all. Be aware of your boss's weaknesses. Don't try to be too clever and outshine your boss. Posing a threat will get you nowhere.
Make yourself indispensable. Know where your boss's blind spots are, who their rivals are. Be supportive when necessary. Loyalty is appreciated and remembered.
A matter of perception
However difficult your boss may be, you can only deal with your own behavior. By altering your approach you may be able to make a difference. You may think that your boss is a living incarnation of the Rubik's Cube, but is this really the case? Once you empathies with your boss you may find that they are not as difficult as you first thought. If they are, then fear not: You can always leave.
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