Managing Your Boss

Managing your boss is about making your working relationship better for both of you. It’s not about manipulation.

To some people, this topic may sound a bit suspicious. The phrase was coined in the early 1980's and has been a familiar catch cry in management circles to help subordinates find ways to develop a better understanding with their managers. Remember, this is about managing your boss not manipulating your boss, so these points are geared around helping you both have a better working relationship.

You may have mastered how to lead your team effectively but still struggle with your own boss. This is not uncommon and you are not alone. There will be times when you don’t see eye to eye or when you feel like you are being dealt with unfairly. You may have unreasonable demands placed upon you or you may feel like you just don’t click. here are ten things you can do to help your relationship with them:

1. Appreciate their pressures

The first point here is for you to appreciate your boss’s goals and pressures. Find out what they are measured on and what their ‘pain’ points are. If you can make them look good or ease their pressure, they will have more time for you.

2. Imagine them as a customer

One way you can view your boss is as you would view a customer. Find out what their expectations are and work to manage them. If your boss were a customer or client of yours, how would you handle that relationship? You would want to have regular meetings, inform them of changes, look to provide solutions and communicate effectively with them.

3. Don't avoid telling them bad news

Never let bad news get to your boss before you have had a chance to brief them. If bad news is coming, you’d be much better off fronting up with the news yourself. Bad surprises are never good for your relationship. Provide frequent updates to your boss when a problem arises. If you have a problem, try to provide a solution or at least have some thoughts on the matter. Probably nine times out of ten, your boss will go with what you think is best.

4. Understand their communication preference

Work out what is the best way to communicate with your boss. Do they prefer face-to-face, email or phone? Find out what they prefer in the way of reports and written communication. Do they like lots of detail or bullet points?

5. Explain what you need

Tell your boss what you need. Be proactive in telling them your preferences and outline any resources you need to get the job done. Remember that you are not their sole focus, so try not to take all of their time.

6. Help them make a decision

Sometimes your manager will not be quick with decisions. You need to be able to communicate what you need in these circumstances. Help to sell the reasons as to why you need a decision when you do, and the downside of delays. Avoid sounding like the doom machine though. Don’t make everything dramatic or imminent as your boss will quickly tire of that behaviour. If your boss is about to make a poor decision, offer an alternative with some benefits attached. If they still proceed with what you perceive to be a bad move, do all you can to implement it, regardless of whether you agree with them or not. Do not undermine them in front of other people.

7. Seek clarification

If your boss is vague or hesitant, limit the choices you give them and make a single clear recommendation. If you feel that things are vague, seek clarification to help you and them get clarity. Communicate your deadlines clearly and follow up.

8. Help them give you control

If your boss is overly controlling or very involved in everything you do, it’s likely that they need more confidence in you. Start off by asking for complete responsibility in smaller tasks and then work up to bigger ones. Prove to them you are quite capable. Make sure you deliver excellent work consistently and seek to build trust.

9. Negotiate priorities

If your boss overloads you with work or fails to see what pressure you are under, organise a meeting to discuss the priorities and options for excessive work. Avoid sounding negative about what’s asked of you and explain what problems may arise if you don’t organise what’s the most important priorities.

"When your boss gives you three things to do; do at least four of them!"

10. Do more than they ask

Finally, make sure you keep your promises and do what is asked of you. One piece of management advice that will go a long way for you to impress those you report to is this: When your boss gives you three things to do; do at least four of them! This means that you should at least complete the tasks you have been given and perform an additional task. Something that you weren’t specifically asked to do but you know either needs doing or would really help your boss if it was done. This will show you are resourceful and can take initiative.

Overall, you want to be able to understand your boss and provide consistently good work. Help them to look good and be clear with them of your needs to. 

Find out more in the book ‘Practical Leadership’ available on Amazon: