Managing Your Boss

I have always been able to manage my boss, even the ones that I did not enjoy working with. This article stated that they found highly effective managers doing the following:

• Have a good understanding of the other person and yourself, especially regarding strengths, weaknesses, work styles, and needs.
• Use this information to develop and manage a healthy working relationship—one which is compatible with both persons' work styles and assets, is characterized by mutual expectations, and meets the most critical needs of the other person. (Gabarro & Kotter, 1980, p. 94)

I know that I have followed this advice all throughout my professional life. My first management job was around the time the authors wrote this article. I can tell you from personal experience that the above statements are very true. You will find success as a highly effective manager if you follow the above guidelines. However……

What If Your Boss Is Your Spouse?

• I should know this person better than anyone, especially their strengths, weaknesses, and needs
• I should be able to use this information to develop and manage a healthy relationship characterized by mutual expectations, and meet the most critical needs of the other person.

Have you noticed that I am leaving out “work style” and “working relationship?”

• I need to better understand his work style because I have expected him to adapt to mine.
• I need to apply that understanding and establish a better working relationship that is totally separate from our personal life. I have to remember that it was his vision that built the business and I need to apply some of the experience I have learned over the years to managing this boss.

 That is how I can be a better employee for my boss. I would expect the same if the roles were reversed.

References

Gabarro, J. J., & Kotter, J. P. (1980, Jan/Feb). Managing Your Boss. Harvard Business Review, 58(1), 92-100.