How to Deal With Your Boss

How to Deal With Your Boss

In an organizational set up, just as you have subordinates to manage, so will have a Boss or bosses to deal (manage) with.

The “upward management” as it is called, carries the risk of being labeled as – flattery, manipulation or politics if the bosses are wise, intelligent and no- nonsense type. But considering the fact that your boss is a  “critical  link” between you and the rest of the organization, it is vital to understand ( manage ) your boss.

Though, there is no substitute for hard work, dedication and loyalty to the organization, which will always be appreciated by your boss – good or bad.                                     

Yet, to win the confidence, trust and faith of your boss, it is important that you understand:

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           The career and personal objective of your boss.

-         His strengths, weaknesses and work styles.

-         His personality traits.

Also remember that the relationship with the boss is of mutual dependency. You are equally important for the success of your boss. It is important for you to be truly co operative, dependable and honest.

Broadly, classifying and managing the bosses as follows:

The Promotable:  He is the one who is most likely to be promoted. He is in the eyes of top management, so as to move him up at the right opportunity. He is the king maker for you. Stay close to him, learn as much as possible from him. Develop and train yourself under him. Stay in his good books. Hang around him. When he moves up, you may replace him.

The Caretaker:  He is the one – may be too old in age or may be too obsolete to move up. Since, rarely does he identify his successor, you will have to focus on the next higher level, who may be a king maker for you. Get yourself identified and connect with him.

The Static:  May be the worst for you. He is the one who is neither competent nor old enough to be retired by the organization. He is smart enough to manage holding his job. He is happy where he is. He is not a promotable material.  Since, he is more likely to remain where he is, your chances of moving up are very bleak. Your own development will stop under such a boss. Best way is to seek transfer to some other place/ department, where you get a boss who is, if not a “promotable” at least a “caretaker” type.

Always remember, to move up an organizational ladder- hard work, dedication and loyalty, though very important traits but alone may not be enough, you need to identify the king maker for yourself.