Management Voice Index
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Your boss often has more impact on your life than your colleagues, your team or even your family. It's a cliché that people join a company - but leave a manager. If you have a good working relationship with your manager you will know how that can help make even a tough job enjoyable. If you and your boss don't get on so well – here are some tips for…

....Managing Your Boss

1   Your boss is under pressure too

Whether your boss is the business owner, or working for someone else, they have to deliver too, and will need you to help. If your relationship isn't good, the first thing to do is try to understand or find out what pressure your boss is under. What is your boss required to do? What risks is your boss having to take? Does your boss have the required resources? Work out for yourself how you can help your boss deliver and whether what you are doing reduces or increases stress.

2   If you can't deliver, neither can your boss

If you lack the skills or knowledge to do your job you need help. It is very common to find yourself promoted to a role and then left to ‘sink or swim'. If you really don't want to ask your boss for help, then find it elsewhere, either formally from HR or informally from colleagues. Otherwise, look at independent learning - you can use Google to find out almost anything nowadays.

3   Is it a communication problem?

Communication problems are also frequent and not necessarily anyone's fault. Look at the Honey & Mumford learning styles in terms of how your boss communicates. Do they seem to be ‘hands on' and want instant action, or is your boss more theoretical, always wanting to look at an issue from every angle before considering what to do?

Look at your own learning and communication style. You may find you have a very different approach to your boss. Try adapting to the style of your boss for a while. If you don't know Honey & Mumford, or want a copy of the analysis questionnaire, give us a call on 01491 411 544.

4   If your boss ‘dumps' on you

You and your boss may have a communication problem, or you may have a boss that does not know how to delegate effectively. A substantial proportion of senior managers in the UK have had little or no management development training! Ask your boss for time to set SMART goals for tasks or projects that have been ‘dumped' on you. This will help both of you understand the implications of what is expected of you.

5   If your boss is always interfering

This boss asks you to do something, and then won't leave you alone to get on with it. It can be very hard for managers to ‘let something go' that they are used to doing themselves. The best way to prevent this is once again to set some specific SMART goals relating to your work and agreeing report back times. It's then easier for you to gently push back on any interference by saying that everything is on schedule and you will report as agreed.

It is critical of course that you let this boss know if you need help in anyway. If you don't deliver on something, you will find your boss interfering even more in future.

6   You just don't get on

If you really don't get on, you both need to find a way to develop an acceptable working relationship. This will reduce stress for the two of you.  One way of minimizing conflict is to accept that you have different working styles and then to develop an agreed routine.  It may be helpful to use a facilitator to help to do this. Remember that bosses can be very touchy about such a process, seeing it as an implied criticism. Find an assertiveness programme or coach to help you get started.

If you are being bullied or harassed, this is not the same as simply not getting on. Take some professional advice from your HR department.

Management Voice Index
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