What is a boss and how to deal with them?

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A boss is a person of authority within an organization
Owner, president, chief executive officer, director of a departmetn, or leader of a team

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Developing goals, strategies, and benchmarks for the organization
Delegating responsibilities, authority, and resources to ensure that the goals are met
Building relationships with essential customers, suppliers, and other organizations

Common tasks cont.
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Monitoring various legal and legislative issues
Implement policies that ensure organizational compliance with law
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Conducting periodical reviews of the organization including suppliers
Staffing the organization with qualified employees and awarding periodic raises and promotions to minimize turnover

Developing a Relationship with your boss
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Understand your boss’ role in the organization
Be aware of personality traits and conflicts
Be conscious of your boss’ normal schedule
Be supportive of your boss
Communicate with your boss

Relationship with your boss, cont.
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Listen to your boss
Offer to assist your boss
Be respectful of your boss’ authority
Maintain positive attitude at work
Keep the relationship with your boss professional

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MICRO-Manager boss
Likes to control every detail of a project to ensure that a project is completed correctly
Tends to “spoon feed” information to his employees, requires constant feedback on the progress, and questions the methods utilized by employees in completing the project
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HANDS-OFF boss
Wants his employee to think independently
When assign a project, expects little or no interaction with employee until the project is completed

Types of bosses (cont.)
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I WANT TO BE
YOUR FRIEND boss
A boss that wants to avoid controversy
Offers as much or as little guidance (depending on how much an employee asks for)
If an employee does not complete the task, boss would rather complete it than addressing the concern with the employee
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UNDER-QUALIFIED boss
A person that is concerned that s/he lacks the qualifications or credentials
Hires employees that will fill the voids in those qualifications
Provides Little guidance because of belief that employees know how to do the project

Types of bosses (cont.)
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OVER-ACHIEVER boss
Expect the employees to work as hard, or harder, than boss
Push employees to try harder and better
Provides all the information needed for a project to be successful
Provides constant feedback
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THREATENED boss
Insecure in the position and feels like his/her position as boss is at risk
To maintain control, stick to status quo, and discourage new ideas
Provides exact information how to do a project
Followers will be rewarded, and those who do not will be shunned

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Maintain your composure
(becoming angry, frustrated, emotional will worsen the situation)
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Determine the cause of the conflict
Keep the situation in perspective
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Evaluate possible alternative and resolutions that you can propose to your boss
Discuss the situation with your boss (sit down and talk)

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Try to develop a professional relationship
Visit with your boss about the issue in an non-threatening manner
Use “I” statements
If all fails, contact
Human Resources Dept.
(but be aware this might cause even more uncomfortably between you and your boss)
Arndt, Terry and John Ricchini: Backpack to briefcase: Steps to a successful career (p. 1-8)