horrible bosses: how to prevent your work experience from being the next sequel
TRANSCRIPT
Horrible Bosses: How to Prevent Your Work Experience From Being a SequelDubuque Circles Initiative Leadership Track Series
What is a Horrible Boss?
Identifying a Horrible Boss
Observe your boss for a few days Notice how many things they do well versus poorly When something happens poorly, ask yourself “Is it
truly their fault, or could it be something out of their control?”
Types of Horrible Bosses
The Micromanager The Slow-Coach The Idiot The Dictator The Abuser The Bigot The Scaredy-Cat
Managing Up
Ways to Manage Up:Communication
Communicate No Surprises Provide Solutions, Not Problems Be Honest and Trustworthy Be Loyal and Committed
Ways to Manage Up:Understanding Your Boss
Understand Your Boss’s Perspective and Agenda Understand Your Boss’s Preferences Understand Your Own Management Style Depend on Your Boss’s Strengths Recognize Your Boss’s Weaknesses Be Aware of Your Manager’s Hot Buttons Request Feedback Don’t Go Over the Boss’s Head
Ways to Not Manage Up
Participating in the gossip mill Criticizing your supervisor, organization, or project Participating in or contributing to office politics Minimizing your supervisor’s position, role or
contributions Promising what you can’t deliver
Benefits of Managing Up
Establish a mutual understanding of the project process and outcomes
Receive helpful ongoing guidance and feedback Minimize misinterpretations and miscommunications Benefit from each other’s strengths, knowledge, skills,
and expertise Focus on and attend to project priorities Create a respectful and supportive working
environment
Having Difficult Conversations
When Approaching Your Boss
Think about what you want to come from this conversation
Know your morals, values, and ethics Understand your job description Use “I” statements
Other Suggestions
Stay One Step Ahead Document Everything Use This as a Growing Opportunity: http://
www.cnn.com/videos/bestoftv/2014/10/20/orig-mike-rowe-career-advice-how-to-deal-with-a-difficult-boss.cnn
Timing Identify Triggers Use Couple’s Therapy Tricks Don’t Go on the Defensive