Everyone has a boss. Even a Fortune 500 CEO has to answer to the board and shareholders. Fortunately, you probably don’t have that problem, but you do have a boss. Let’s be honest, sometimes that boss can seem a little clueless and you’d really like him or her to better understand how to help you.
Maybe it’s time to lead your boss.
You can do that? Yes, but in a careful and subtle way.
Start by understanding that your boss has many inputs from many directions and may in fact, actually be clueless about your team’s efforts. So, your first step is to make a concerted effort to understand what stresses the boss and what he or she is responsible for. Then draw a line between that and your responsibilities.
Now that you know how your responsibilities fit in with the boss’s responsibilities and goals, make sure the boss knows. Here’s where the subtle part comes in. Try something like, “I haven’t given you an update in while. Can we schedule about 30 minutes where I can let you know how my team is doing and make sure we’re on the same page?” This is respectful and shows you want to help the boss succeed.
The day before your meeting, provide a read-ahead synopsis of what you plan to cover.
When you have your 30 minutes (stay within the agreed upon time) lay out what your team is doing and give a few success stories. Make sure you tie your presentation to what you learned about the boss.
At the end of your presentation you can mention one or two (no more) challenges your team is facing and your proposed actions. This should start a discussion where the boss may say something like, “How can I help?” It doesn’t always work that way, but you will at least have let the boss know that you are actively working to make his or her life easier.
Leave a summary before you go. Make it positive. Suggest you repeat this meeting in 6 months.
Will this magically transform your boss? Not instantly, but it will help to keep the boss more informed about what your team is doing and what help you really need. Also, you will start to develop a more trusting relationship.
This is a good start, but you will probably find the boss isn’t always going the direction you think is best.
Well that’s why they’re the boss. Rather than overtly trying to steer the boss in a different direction, you can help them find better ways to accomplish their goals. But first, you must develop a trusting relationship. I have found this approach very helpful, both with my own bosses and my team leaders.
• Remember what you learned about the boss. Where are they weak or what really wears them out? Try to find ways to help in these areas. Of course you don’t have any more time than the boss does, but there may be ways you and your team can help. For instance, the boss may have to provide data for a company report. He doesn’t like it and you don’t either, but since you have to do it anyway, get your inputs in ahead of the deadline.
• If you need the bosses help, or a decision that is beyond your pay grade, always take solutions. You’ll give the boss options making her job easier and she will begin to develop trust in your thought processes.
• If you want the boss to do something in a particular way, provide a proposal for discussion. If/when he agrees to your proposal, say something like, “I think you’re right, that would be a good way to approach it.”
Now, if you’ve been reading this carefully, you may have realized that a good boss should initiate these actions. So, if you have leaders who report to you, are you being a good boss?