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03/08/07 | Report as spam
How to Manage your Boss
Overall, all I think this article was excellent. Getting along with your bosses or with your peers it a matter of using common sense and good judgment since interacting with the most complex and volatile living creatures (humans) is a challenging endeavor to say the least.
Correspondingly, one needs the ability to "feel people out" and getting to understand their mental dynamic and emotional triggers. However, like is in dysfunctional marriages, some relationships are beyond repair. In situations like this, ?jumping ship? becomes the best alternative.
Milady Feliciano,
Miami, Florida
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03/08/07 | Report as spam
I agree
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03/09/07 | Report as spam
I agree with you Milady!
Hello Milady,
I think you are right to say that humans are very complex and it (manageing your boss) is not quite as easy as it sounds in the real world...I have been in quite a few jobs over my career and most of my bosses have really liked my work and me as a person. But there have been a few that just didn't click with me or I with them; they were either influenced by someone else that wanted my job for example, or they were just jealous in some cases.
Unfortunately manageing your career includes trying "read" the person who is your boss. Some of them are "good" managers and some are awful so it kind of depends on the skill on the person you are working for. Some are frogs and some are princes so to speak.
Ha! Well I love you name! Talk to you again I hope...
Joseph Campisi
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03/09/07 | Reported as spam
How to Manage your boss
I agree totally
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03/09/07 | Report as spam
How to Manage Your Boss
Excellent article. Well thought out with "practical" examples! That said, Caveat Emptor! The tenets in the article constitue a "Guide." Consequently, the new/semi-new employee, and perhaps some seasoned ones ought to keep in mind that, hte real deal in one's "kingdom" will DIFFER!! It's a tough world out there, and yes, most of us have had VINDICTIVE bosses, CRAZY (yes, I mean bordering on psychotic) bosses, UNREASONABLE and ENVIOUS ones too!!
Thank God there are VERY NICE, CARING, and SUPPORTIVE bosses out there!Perhaps you have one? Or, am I dreaming in the dog-eat-dog, ultra-capitalistic 21st Century, get-it-all-whilst-you-can-CEO type of Corporate Village?
Kwame (Aluminus of an Ivy MBA)
Cupertino, CA (aka Silicon Valley)
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03/10/07 | Report as spam
HOW TO MANAGE YOUR BOSS WAS EXCELLENT
The article was excellent. It does not tell you to be manipulative, but to understand which side of the bread is buttered. Many times, people take extra effort to please their subordinates without spending as much time on pleasing their bosses. Work, like justice should not only be done, but also manifestly seen to be done. Therefore one needs to ensure that the boss learns how much one has sweated. It should not be crass, but the message of good work should go across. Most important you need to be a really good executive, honest, smart and hard working to make any good boss like you. This article is very useful and rational. Thank you.
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03/11/07 | Report as spam
good 4 the beginners
good work keep it up
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03/12/07 | Report as spam
IT REALLY WILL HELP THOSE WHO WANT TO LEARN
ONE OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE AND THOUGHTFULL SITE I HAVE SEEN, IT WILL B MORE INTRESTING AND CAN PEOPLE LEARN IF NEW THINGS R INSERTED, E.G: REAL EXAMPLES OF MANGERS BY WHICH THEY SHOW THIER EXPERTISE FROM FRONT BACKED BY THIER JUNIORS & WHO STARTED THIER CARRIER FROM BEGINING.
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03/24/08 | Report as spam
Managing the Boss
I definantly agree with this comment! A lot of employee's really don't think about taking the time to merely google their boss. There is so much information about individuals right there...and if all else fails, follow the tips- GO TO THE SOURCE-....your BOSS!
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03/13/07 | Report as spam
Very thoughtful
This was a great read, I can certainly see myself applying these concepts to the workplace.
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03/14/07 | Report as spam
How to manage your Boss
This was wonderfull and will assist in my work
Yotam
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03/14/07 | Report as spam
Cool Tips
I think this is a good article for anyone who is interested in creating a good working environment with his boss. Definitely it's good for me.
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03/15/07 | Report as spam
how to manage your boss
Excellent read! very insightful
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03/19/07 | Report as spam
How to manage......
gives an insight....worth reading
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03/19/07 | Report as spam
How to manage your boss
This is an interesting article, I like it very much.
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03/21/07 | Report as spam
Reality we face in actual work life !
"How to Manage Your Boss" is really a superb explanation for those who find it difficult to find out how they should act to their boss's orders or suggestions. Its really interesting to know that the things which we are doing unanimously are really some way or the other linked to what we can do to keep our career progress chart tangential. I hope their is no such good insight I have found about developing relationship with our bosses with Explanation.
Thanks for this Great Article !
Sincerely,
Krishan Dutt
Business Development Executive
www.smartDatainc.net
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03/22/07 | Report as spam
Managing Boss
it was very practical being in line with basic human psychology.
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03/27/07 | Report as spam
How to Manage Your Boss
Execellent article.
But in my case, may be this article cannot help me. Because my Boss has totally ego proble. If you show good result, he will not be happy; if you work fast; he will say sit for long hours indirectly; if you try to give him some suggestion that how to improve our department; he will say no need of improvement. He always try to screw me and try to show mw down in front of my colleagues because i m the only one in my department who is highly qualified even from my Boss. All people are getting raises and promotion but to me he will say to top management; my performance is poor. Still i am on the same position.
Is there any suggestion to manage him?
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03/29/07 | Report as spam
Dealing with evil bosses
As I pointed out in the list at the top this article, it's basically pointless to try to manage a truly evil boss. I remember the advice that a friend gave me when I was in a similar position as yours. He said that you only have a certain amount of time to build a career, and this time is too precious to waste somewhere that's a career dead-end. You need to find a different job and should focus the bulk of your mental energy on finding one. Remember: getting a much better job -- preferably with a competitor -- is always the BEST revenge.
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04/06/07 | Report as spam
Quit Your Job
Change your job may be the last and best option for you as there is no use to work with peoples like him you talking about 
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04/18/07 | Report as spam
Advice for Ibrar77
It is time to leave. Leave that department or the company. If you really are doing a great job other companies will recognize those skill sets.
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05/04/07 | Report as spam
When your boss does not like you
I've been in the same shoes as you are. I found the article "When your boss doesn't like you" was helpful. I have to remind myself that "trust/respect" is the key and we can't buy that but earn it through time. Hang in there. I realize I can't make my boss trust me now, but I can make myself trust my boss as long as I do my job.
Good luck to both of us.
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07/27/07 | Report as spam
Solution
I've been working for over 20 years in and out of corporate America. I don't think there is much you can do, but just deal with it -- that is unless you find another job. He'll never change and you're unhappy. He's the boss and that's that.
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07/27/07 | Report as spam
That wasn't helpful; let's try some constructive suggestions
Sorry, DeniseD, that didn't really advance the conversation. Ibrar77 was asking for advice and I believe he was saying that putting up with it wasn't cutting it any more.
Here's my take and what I'd suggest:
1) The Boss is a bully: it sounds like the boss abuses the subordinates. This behavior only stops when confronted or gets reprimanded from above, and bullies (even bully bosses) need confrontation to correct inappropriate behavior. But, PREPARE Before You Confront (see #4 below)! You could lose your job as a result and you have to be prepared to take the hit, like scouting out a new job prospect before making your move.
2) Assess honestly what the boss is saying. Maybe the boss is right and your work isn't of the quality of others; ask a colleague for an honest assessment of you and your work. Maybe you're not really a good fit for your job.
3) May be there are cultural issues here. I'm drawing conclusions from the Ibrar part of your name and the minor variations from modern colloquial English. If so, this might be corrected with a combination of some cultural training on the boss' part and additional work on your part to make a better fit. But then again, maybe you're not really a good fit for the job. An honest opinion from others would be helpful here.
4) START PREPARING FOR ANOTHER JOB. NOW, if you haven't already done so! Face it, you've posted a message of significant job dissatisfaction on a public web forum. You either don't like your job or the conditions under which you're it. A change is most likely your best solution. Start looking elsewhere. Fluff up your resume; start networking. Take half days off to start interviewing. Develop good leads before you move on to the next step.
5) Only after you've properly prepared for a bad outcome, then plan for a constructive meeting to confront the boss. Keep it professional, have a list of objective complaints and be prepared to offer reasonable solutions. Seek the support of your colleagues beforehand. Stick to the facts but be honest and direct. Be prepared for a poor outcome, particularly one where you come out on the short end of the stick and get fired.
6) Work the system. File a complaint with a superior (not recommended, just as no one likes a snitch no one likes finding out about a disagreement from others). File a complaint with Human Resources; this may not help anything, but at least it will be on record and will have preceded a bad outcome and will offset a boss's tendency to backdate any official notations of job deficiencies.
7) Leave anyway. So what if it ruins you financially and puts you and your family on the streets. You only have one life and do you want to spend it miserable? No!
8) Last and certainly least: Stay and suffer. But first ask yourself if this is the life you're willing to accept? I didn't think so.
9) Did I mention Leave Anyway? Be sure to ask for an exit interview and spell out just exactly why you made the decision to move on. If not, then send a letter to the CEO outlining your problems with the boss; remember to be professional, your work history will follow you.
9) Good luck! You'll most likely be happier (especially with yourself) in taking some kind of positive action, and you'll probably have a dozen other wistful souls wishing they'd had your courage.
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08/26/07 | Report as spam
Great Advice
Throughout this blog...finally some good advice! I agree...leave anyway!!! Start positioning now!
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09/21/07 | Report as spam
I have a suggestion for you
Try to see things from your boss' perspective. Also, introspect yourself. Identify things that you can change and give that a try for a while. If you still don't notice any difference, start looking for a new job. New place, new boss and new challenges will freshen you up.
-Anis
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04/12/07 | Report as spam
Good Article....
In other words just treat your boss as your girlfriend.
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04/17/07 | Report as spam
Its The Bum
This is the Bum. It has saved me.
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04/17/07 | Report as spam
what good ideas?
although I was fearful of my bosses but i think some techniques can change boss's mind about me , its might be a chicanery or a true practical technique that benefit corporation and your business, but some one like me need more self esteem to protect themselves from this jungle
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04/17/07 | Report as spam
TIPS FOR THRIVING IN CORP. AMERICA
Good and practical tips that we should all live by in corporate America!
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04/17/07 | Report as spam
How to Manage Your Boss
The part about preparation being 10 to 1 is not far from the mark. When a CEO comes from a specialist function you need to make sure that you cover all angles that he may come at you from that function. I have found CEOs who have a love of numbers or from the finance area are very focused on where they have come from and will drill down to show you as the sub-ordinate that they are on their game and expect you to be.
If you report to a VP and not the Predisent/CEO then a good tip is to find out as much as you can about your boss's boss, to see what he is looking for from his subordinates so that you can adequately prep your boss for his meetings. This often makes him/her look good and makes you more valuable to your immediate boss.
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04/17/07 | Report as spam
Act According to the Situation
This article was a real guider for who are new to professional environments and face new bosses. We cant expect all the situations to favor our marketing skills towards our Bosses interest. So always act according to the situation instead of marketing oursleves all the time and portraying us as a overselling being. And never try to "raise your voice or dominate your boss in midst of anybody, even when his decision is Lethargic or shillyshally". This will end up spoiling many parameters in your Performance appraisal....
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04/19/07 | Report as spam
Another take on this
My take on these tips:
Keeping the boss in the loop: This is a great idea. But it's the bosses job to be involved with OUR work, not for us to go unbidden to the boss unless we really need to. If you see your boss only rarely, then he is a bad boss and deserves to be out of the loop.
Create a core message for your boss: If your boss is so out of touch that he doesn't know how important you are, that's his problem. Just make sure that you keep track of all your work so that you can present the documentation if ever asked "what is it that you DO here?" There's no need to constantly market yourself. Just make sure that you can succintly communicate your work during status meetings, etc.
The boss's influencers: I don't have time to play back-room politics. I'm too busy working. Besides, if I was any good at this kind of manipulation, I'd be a politician. I'm not, so I'm a programmer.
Learn about your boss's career: I don't care about my boss's career. That's his career path, not mine. If I was interested in my boss's career, I'd have his job instead of mine.
Cultivate compatible personal interests: You mean taking up 40+ hours of my life isn't enough? Now I have to give up my personal interests too? Exactly when am I going to have time to pursue my own personal hobbies while I'm learning about my boss's hobbies? In my opinion, it's the boss's job to learn to relate to his employees, not the other way around. If the boss is a big soccer fan, and his employees aren't, then he needs to learn to express himself without resorting to sports cliches.
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04/24/07 | Report as spam
Question? Do you have problems with your boss?
I assume your name is Scott.
Well Scott, judging from your comments I gotta wonder; Are you bitter? and if so, where does it stem and who may it be influencing? Perhaps your boss?
It's hard to tell who someone is from a post, but your words tell me that (to coin an overused MBA term) you need to start thinking outside of the box. Stop whining and take some license.
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05/03/07 | Report as spam
world weary
I wouldn?t say I?m bitter, just world weary. I?ve been through several bosses, each less of a ?manager? than the last. I?m currently on month 6 of working without a boss, since the last one left on his way up the corporate ladder. He was the very definition of a ?hands-off? manager. Expectations weren?t clear, meetings were scarce, everything was flexible to the point of chaos. So perhaps I?m over-reacting. But darn it, I didn?t get into this line of work to manage anyone, much less the person who should be managing ME.
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05/07/07 | Report as spam
Should, should, should
Complaining about other people's behavior and expecting them to change is a waste of time. The world doesn't work that way.
You don't like your boss. Fine. Welcome to the club. But that's your reality and thus you have exactly three choices:
1. Find another job (hopefully) under a better boss.
2. Figure out how to make your current relationship work.
3. Try to make yourself feel better by bitching about things outside your control while refusing to change those things that are within your power to change.
You've chosen option 3. The article is about option 2.
Suggestion: set a bit flag in your brain that traps to an error message every time the word "should" comes out of your mouth. Here's why: the world will never be as it "should" be, but will always be exactly how it is. Unless you're willing to actually do something to change things, then the word "should" is a mental signal that you're setting yourself up for disappointment.
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05/07/07 | Report as spam
Don't want my manager's job
"Complaining about other people's behavior and expecting them to change is a waste of time."
True, complaining doesn't change things. But refusing to do people's work for them often does.
My 3 yr old son did not learn to use the toilet until I stopped changing his soiled underwear. A manager will not learn to do his job if people do it for him. If people are always keeping him in the loop then he won't get in the habit of keeping track of his employee's work. If people always have to market their accomplishments, then he is not paying attention to their hard efforts. If people are having to play up their accomplishments to his peers and superiors, then he is not good at communicating his team's work to the rest of the company.
I am controlling my destiny by leaving the responsibility to the person who should carry it. In this case, it is the manager.
You see, I used to be the go-getter. I used to be the guy who ALWAYS took on the extra work, looked outside the box, took on additional responsibility. Then I woke up one day and realized that I was doing a bunch of things that WEREN'T MY JOB. So I retreated, regrouped and now I am very careful about what responsibilities I take on. And I won't take on the responsibility to train the manager how to manage.
Since this is a management website, let me plead to the managers out there: Most of your employees don't want to be managers. Don't make them take on your responsibilities.
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05/07/07 | Report as spam
You've got it backwards.
If you spend 10 minutes a day managing your manager, you'll avoid an hour or more a day doing his work for him. Managing your manager is the greatest time-saving mechanism in the business world. And if you really think that your manager is comparable to a 3-year old that needs potty training, you need another job. Fast.
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05/08/07 | Report as spam
I don't get it
The act of managing my boss does not save me time. It uses up my time. Lets touch on all the points in the original article.
I shouldn't have to take time keep my boss in the loop. He should check in with me enough that he knows what is going on. I can't guess what he needs to know. This guessing game result in me tellign him too much or too little. He should ask what he needs to know. That saves us both time.
I shouldn't have to spend the time to create a core message for my boss. He should know enough from checking in with me to know why I'm valuable. The less time I spend brown-nosing, the more time I have to do my job.
I shouldn't have to take time to play politics with my bosses influencers. They should go through my boss to get to me. I have too much work to do.
I don't have time to learn about my bosses career aspirations. He gives me tasks; I complete them. If I wanted his job, I'd take time to understand his decision-making process. But I don't, so I don't.
And I certainly don't have time to involve myself in my boss's personal interests. This really annoys me. The manager role requires a people skills. As such a manager should be better at relating to people than the technical employees under him. Requiring technical employees to adjust THIER personal interests to relate to their boss is just not right. As a boss I would be insulted by this. Do you REALLY want someone PRETENDING to be interested in your interests? Isn't this just somewhat slimy?
So explain how I lose time if I don't do these things. It seems that I GAIN time for my job.
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04/30/07 | Report as spam
To quote Dr. Phil...
..."And how is that working for you?"
Are you:
1. Getting the plum assignment programming the virtualization interface or getting stuck with maintaining the Cobol library?
2. Getting sent to LinuxWorld in San Franscisco or getting asked to man the support desk over Easter weekend?
3. Getting a new multicore machine and a 32" flat panel or stuck with 2004 Dell and a 24" CRT?
Of course, you may be dazzling them with your programming brilliance, but I'll bet that, unless you have a very understanding and perceptive manager, your career is, if not stalled, at least moving forward in second gear.
The best engineers I've ever known were as good with people as they were with computers. Maybe better.
And remember, this is coming from the guy who wrote "The Tao of Programming." Of course, I may have gone over the dark side of the force...
--- Geoffrey James
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05/03/07 | Report as spam
One man's trash is another?s treasure.
Remember that one person?s stalled career is another?s dream job. My job may not be my dream job, I?m content with it. I?ve built up a solid core of knowledge and skills. I learn new programming skills as I need them. And I?m assigned to projects because of those skills, not because I?m good at office politics. There isn?t any place for me to ?move forward? to, except into a management or leadership position that would require more politics and less programming.
Now, I may not be chosen as the golden boy to lead the team in implementing the new ?virtualization interface?. But you can be darn sure that I?ll be the guy keeping it working, and improving it, for our customers after the star has moved on to something else. And I?ll improve my skill set by doing it.
I get new equipment when I ask for it because I can explain how it affects the bottom line (?I can?t meet the project deadline unless I get a new laptop?). Maybe kissing butt will get me more toys than I really need, but the bad taste in my mouth isn't worth it.
I may be a computer nerd instead of a social butterfly, but people know who to call when they have a problem. My customers love me, because I?m responsive to their problems and don?t treat them like idiots (although some are; not their fault). My coworkers understand that I often don?t join them at company functions, but they know they can rely on me for help when it relates to work.
All I?m saying is that everyone has goals and aspirations that are different. This article seems to be written for those who want to climb the corporate ladder and be CEO in 5 years. Some of us just like our job and want to keep our skills current until we retire. And we don't need to "manage our boss" to do that.
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05/04/07 | Report as spam
Scotts got my vote!
I agree with Scott.
I have been in this industry for 25+ years and have worked with many bosses good and bad. The good ones always use your experience as an asset. He's not a friend, however you respect him/her because they respect you. You all gain by making the company prosper as a team.
The bad ones don't give a rats butt about you especially if he gets a bonus from the company. That is my situation now, a bad boss, with a bonus, who cut my salary 45% so he could say to the board how much money he has saved the department and company. He is so bad that he makes himself look like an idiot. The reason they keep him he is the CEO's friend.
I'm a certified net engineer and he even asked me if I knew anything about networks. Of course I said yes, but I forgot to mention my networking is monster, jobster, etc.
Way to go Scott!
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07/27/07 | Report as spam
Real bosses
Scott has the right idea all along!! Bad managers are like roaches and unfortunately they also rise to the surface (the old Peter Principle at work).
I work for one now that is the biggest idiot I have ever worked for. He actually suggested the way to save money on our WasteWater Treatment contract was to tell everyone at the company to go to the bathroom before they left for work then limit each employee to only 2 bathroom usages per day and that would save the company money on running the WasteWater Treatment Plant. Do I need to say that every other manager in that meeting looked at him as though he was from Mars??? The man is certifiable! He's had EEO charges against him from contractors and is still working here!!! We have no idea what he does all day and he has no idea what any of us do either because he only talks to our supervisors. He's the joke of the entire company.
I wouldn't want to know what he does in his spare time, much less where he came from or anything else personal or professional about him. He can do nothing for me except be a stumbling block in my work area. I've had him up on discrimination charges but I just didn't "have enough" to meet the legal definition but at least I'm getting out from under his supervision in the settlement.
So the article is good but not very useful for alot of us in the real world.
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07/26/07 | Report as spam
Something to ponder
How long have you been a programmer?
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07/29/07 | Report as spam
your take
yes, i absolutely agree with you. well put!
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05/01/07 | Report as spam
Managing Perception....
Nice documents on "Keeping your Boss Happy". I really believe that at the end of the day it is all about perception management upward (Your Boss) and downward (Your team) with your act which are beautifully outlined here in this <ocument. Strong leadership skills are based on the pure balancing act of perception management of all stakeholder group. One must drop stubborness and adament behvioural attitude while dealing with disperate group of people and be adaptive and respectful of the changing dynamics.
Sanjay Roy, Project Manager,
Birlasoft
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05/03/07 | Report as spam
How to manage your Boss
To manage boss, its not that easy but still there are few techniques to manage boss Convincingly First of all
you have to come closer to the boss. If you donot have opportunity to come closer to him, then you have to decide how can you do so. Depending on the situation how can you advance to come closer to the boss.
Secondly you have to make good relationship with all the employees, specially those who are very close to Boss.
Thirdly you have to be smart not in dress but also in speaking, attitude, modesty so that you can influence others.
Try your best to make least error.
To acquire other knowledge apart from your profession so that boss can understand you are a versatile.
Give him touch what you are doing and what you are taking plan to do in future, and make him understand you are great servant of his company and you are very cordial, and also make the boss understand you are only one person that this job only to be done for you not possible for others.
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05/05/07 | Reported as spam
Message has been deleted.
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05/06/07 | Reported as spam
Message has been deleted.
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05/09/07 | Report as spam
Great .....
It's Great ....
But we need such a big article on managing bosses small employee ....
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05/09/07 | Report as spam
how to manage your boss
it has not only given me a broad horizon but also help me to look at my boss in a diffrent light. From now on it will be a different ball game.
thank you the article was one of the best i have read.
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05/13/07 | Report as spam
Well written
I am a rather new manager at my company and handle the IT interests for our organization. I thought the article on managing your boss was excellent. I will be working to put this into practice for myself
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05/15/07 | Report as spam
Reply to Scott
The italicized portions are from a previous post, listed above. (The editor won't allow further comments on the subthread.)
The act of managing my boss does not save me time. It uses up my time. Lets touch on all the points in the original article.
I shouldn't have to take time keep my boss in the loop. He should check in with me enough that he knows what is going on. I can't guess what he needs to know. This guessing game result in me tellign him too much or too little. He should ask what he needs to know. That saves us both time.
You?re assuming that his world revolves around you, but the fact is that he may have other priorities. If you don?t do manage the relationship, don?t be surprised when you get a lousy review. Don't you want to be in control of how you're perceived? Or do you like random stuff to surprise you, come review time?
I shouldn't have to spend the time to create a core message for my boss. He should know enough from checking in with me to know why I'm valuable. The less time I spend brown-nosing, the more time I have to do my job. I shouldn't have to take time to play politics with my bosses influencers. They should go through my boss to get to me. I have too much work to do.
Yup, I'll bet you do have too much work. That's why not having a relationship with your boss is taking up your time. You've let yourself become the department donkey because you won't look at the reality of the situation. You?re all about ?should? and not about reality. Does your boss behave in a way that is too your advantage? Do your boss?s influencers? Doesn't sound like it to me. All the ?should? in the world isn?t going to change reality. Letting people know what you?re doing and why it?s important is brown-nosing; it?s just positioning yourself so that some fantasy of what you?re doing doesn?t somehow creep in an confuse reality. And it's you best defense against donkey work getting piled onto your desk.
I don't have time to learn about my bosses career aspirations. He gives me tasks; I complete them. If I wanted his job, I'd take time to understand his decision-making process. But I don't, so I don't.
Here is the crux of the matter. You get assigned tasks and you do them. You?re getting the donkey work and other people, with better people skills and equal engineering skills, are getting the fun stuff. Here's the truth: understanding why your boss makes certain decisions is the only way to influence them so that they?re advantageous to you and your career. Today you?re running on automatic and letting your boss decide what goes on in the majority of your waking hours. You could be controlling your destiny but you?re just riding on the current. So don?t complain if you end up going over a waterfall.
And I certainly don't have time to involve myself in my boss's personal interests. This really annoys me. The manager role requires a people skills. As such a manager should be better at relating to people than the technical employees under him. Requiring technical employees to adjust THIER personal interests to relate to their boss is just not right. As a boss I would be insulted by this. Do you REALLY want someone PRETENDING to be interested in your interests? Isn't this just somewhat slimy?
Really? Hmmm. So you expect your boss to be interested in you and what you?re doing and you?re not willing to spend a few minutes to take a little interest in him. No wonder your boss doesn?t particularly like you. (And I am correct about this, aren't I?)
So explain how I lose time if I don't do these things. It seems that I GAIN time for my job.
If you define your job as just doing what you?re told to do ? whether you want to do it or not, you?re gaining more time to do stuff that you don?t want to do. So you're right about that. If you want the good assignments and career advancement and cool tools and neat technology and less donkey work, you'll need a positive relationship with your boss.
Hey, if I were your boss, I?d simply consider you a replaceable cog and would dump you in a nanosecond if I found somebody who would do your work for the same salary. I'd know that you don't give a flying fart for me and what I want to accomplish and I'd return that attitude with go-f-yourself right back at you.
You?d better have staked out an area where it would take $$$$$$ to replace you, or ? and trust me on this ? eventually you?ll be out of a job. But then, frankly, the "he tells me what to do and I do it" kind of job doesn't sound like much of a job to lose.
Geoffrey
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54
05/17/07 | Report as spam
Let me clarify
I'm not really as much of a jerk as I sound. Perhaps I was overly rude in my original response. Let me clarify my points and give examples of my point of view.
Keeping my boss in the loop: I had a boss who had a staff meeting every 2 weeks. That's it. I rarely ever saw him outside of that meeting. I got very little guidance or direction from him. I didn't really know how often I was supposed to update him on my projects, or even if he CARED if I updated him or not. I was never quite sure of my role, or if I was doing things right, or wrong. I had to schedule a weekly meeting with him just to see him. And even then, I was the only one running things. He rarely asked questions, or gave instructions. It was a short update and he said "OK" and that was it. So that is why I reacted the way I did about the idea of keeping my boss in the loop. In that case, I was the ONLY one taking the responsibility and I really didn't know what to do.
Also, regarding the "donkey work" stuff. You are assuming that other people are getting the "fun" stuff and I'm complaining about that. I'm not. I LIKE the assignments I get. I get interesting assignments because I have the technical skills to get it done. I control my destiny by keeping my technical skills updated and making myself valuable in that manner. The 'managing my boss" stuff would just get in the way of the already interesting assignments I have.
Regarding my boss's personal interests: OK, I'm weird. I'm not into sports, cars, or golf. My religious and political affiliations are the complete opposite of most people in my company. So I really don't relate to my bosses (or co-workers for that matter) on a personal level. But that's OK. As long as we have a meeting of the minds on job-related stuff, I'm fine. I don't expect my boss (or most people) to keep up with my rather eclectic interests, just as I have no idea if his favorite sports team won the game this weekend. As long as he pays attention to my work, we'll get along fine. Let's just keep the relationship professional, OK?
Sure, if you want a management career path, these kinds of people skills are important. But for a thru-and-thru technical employee, one who is not looking to be a manager, these things should not be required to get a technical job done. However, these soft skills ARE part of the baseline skills required for manager. This includes getting regular status updates (keeping in the loop), understanding his employee's job (core message), and using his people-skills to adjust his management style for different personalities (personal interests).
In conclusion: I LIKE my work assignments. I LIKE my technical career path. Heck, I even like my salary. What I DON'T like is this idea that schmoozing my boss should be part of my job.
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55
05/16/07 | Report as spam
Not bright bosses...
I am a boss and I have been one. Except for the first tip, that I believe is part of the job of any employee (to keep me in the loop of important things and not in the loop of details), all the other 'tips' are really very poor ones.
I don't want my employees trying to make small conveersation on my interests or my background. I want them doing what they have been hired to do. I want them learning from me about our business, not about me and my love for golf.
This kind of article (a cliche, BTW) always infuriates me, because pushes people to do 'politics' instead of their work.
And some bosses, like me, we just hate that.
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56
05/16/07 | Report as spam
Don't worry...
...I'm 100 percent certain none of your employees are waiting in line to get to know you better.
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57
05/17/07 | Report as spam
i'd work for him
Sound's like the kind of boss I'd love to have.
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58
05/25/07 | Report as spam
Scott, your perspective...
would be a great addition to the entry in my "Sales Machine" blog entitled "How to Schmooze Propellerheads".
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59
06/12/07 | Report as spam
Majority is authority
Well I think, you have answered it yourself when you wrote
" some bosses, like me, just hates it"
It goes ok most of the times, and it's what does matter.
Again one good point is to Read the nature first and then act accordingly.
Please do share with us if u want to, how your team-mates go on with you
keeping in view your nature
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60
05/16/07 | Report as spam
How to manage your boss.
I have had many bosses in my life and can count on one had the ones that were not worth a damn. Some time you just get them and it is not recoverable, regardless of how much butt kissing you want to do.
d
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05/16/07 | Reported as spam
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62
05/23/07 | Report as spam
how to manage your boss
nice and helpful
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63
06/11/07 | Report as spam
Getting my boss fired?
That's a rather schmoozy approach, but interesting nonetheless.
My boss is really beyond hopeless, and I believe the only way to manage him is to get him fired. Any tip on how to get one's boss fired?
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64
06/11/07 | Report as spam
Boss fired?
Well, that's way outside the scope of this article, which assumes that the boss is worthy of managing. If I recall, Stanley Bing's excellent book "Bad Bosses" has some suggestions about how to get a bad boss fired, or at least some suggestions for helping the boss get himself fired. However, your best bet is to find work elsewhere. Sad, but true.
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65
06/12/07 | Report as spam
can anybody help
Well I must appreciate it, this artilce is really informative and cool one.
Can anyone tell me how to go on with a bureaucratic and arrogant boss, who just wants to exercise his authority all the time and never listen to subordinates.
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66
10/04/07 | Report as spam
Deal with arrogant boss
Rule 1: Don't get emotional. Calmly deliver your message as if he/she is a normal understanding manager. Rule 2: Have your facts straight. Be prepared to back them up and don't stand down if you are bullied. Get clarification of the rejection. "Because I said so" isn't clarification but you may get just that. Rule 3: Have your work life in order. Be on time, meet your commitments, be a superstar. Don't let this jerk derail your performance by killing your motivation.
Rule 4: If you get pushed back, forget Rule 1 and hit him with Rule 2 and 3.
Then start interviewing elsewhere, it will really motivate you.
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67
06/12/07 | Report as spam
how to manage your boss
useful
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68
06/29/07 | Report as spam
Evil Boss
Well said! BEST REVENGE!
I am in a similar situation right now. Everyone in my boss's island were promoted. But guess what...the one thing he can not stop, is preventing other people from praising my performance.
I finally decided to join forces with his competitor.
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69
07/05/07 | Report as spam
Can cultivate good interpersonal relationship with the boss
These comprise of good reminders to anyone who wants to establish rapport with the boss, with the friends of the boss and with all people who can influence one's goals to be met - everybody worth befriending. Nice to be reminded of this amidst instances when we tend to forget about others and focus only with what one wants per se.
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07/12/07 | Reported as spam
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71
07/22/07 | Report as spam
COMMENT
Good guidelines for youngsters.
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72
07/25/07 | Report as spam
is managing someone else really possible
I think that one can manage one self, but it is impossible to control or manage another person. The techniques suggested are excellent because they are founded on building rapport. Every relationship be it with one's boss, direct report, family, friend, colleague starts with building rapport, establishing trust, mutual understanding.
Does it pay to take the time to build rapport? You bet. Rapport is the linch pin that creates sustainable relationship, and our success depends upon the strength of our relationships with others.
As soon as we can stop focusing on our ego, and start focusing on the relationship factor while keeping our true objectives clear we are on the path to moving forward
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73
07/26/07 | Report as spam
You get what you attract
Funny thing... those who are open to growth do and usually do well. Those who are closed to growth and not open to new ideas tend to shrivel up and slowly dissapear in irrelevance. Go figure!
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74
07/26/07 | Report as spam
great writings.
good work.we need this type of writings that add value in our life nad workculture management.
tapobrata.d
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75
07/27/07 | Report as spam
Article Precise and Well Researched
I find article first of its kind - not just the academic theory, but practical workplace writing. I find myself not really good in workplace relations. Im good at doing my work. I will work on improving relations with my boss and peers. My boss oftens comments that I dont communicate.
Regards,
Leonard Majachani
HARARE
ZIMBABWE
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76
07/27/07 | Report as spam
Why would you want to manage!?!
Scott,
The key purpose of the artikel is the bold in the starting teasertext:
"Raises, promotions, and other perks depend directly on how well you can manage your boss. If he or she doesn't warm up to you?or worse, doesn't remember that you exist?you'll never land the plum assignments you need to get ahead."
If you are not interessted in getting ahead or working on the most interesting assignments, you are completely right in not wanting to manage somebody who controls those two drivers for your career.
Once you realize that, you can quit complaining and be happy with any programmingjob.
On the other hand, the prerogative of the artikel is that you do want raises and promotions. At least the raises are compelling to anyone. Unfortunately most raises (after a certain point) also imply a promotion and with promotion some management enters into your job. So it's a choice for you to make...
By the way, there are other ways to do pottytraining, i.e. by turning it into a game (for your kid, but you might like it yourself too...)
Have fun in your life,
regards,
Jan
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77
07/27/07 | Report as spam
Career Sucess is relative
But the first sentence says "It's nice to imagine that the SUCCESS OF YOUR CAREER (emphasis mine) rests upon your basic competence at doing your job, but that's only half the picture".
I guess my point is that career success is relative.
Some of us so deperately want to really high raises and the promotions and the big-responsibility "plum" assignments that we will do any amount of butt-kissing to endear ourselves to our boss.
But if you just want to do your job, then simply act professional and civil, and you will do fine.
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78
07/27/07 | Report as spam
Another view
I have to agree with scottm2251...I have a job to do and I believe I do it quite well. I don't have time in my busy day to spend it running to my boss's office, without him calling me in, to "toot my own horn"....I'm busy working. I too am not good at playing office politics and despise the entire backroom/good-old-boy system that proliferates most companies.
When I get off work I am busy with my family, my volunteer work with the American Red Cross and my local Union...I am not interested in joining my boss for a "rousing" game of tennis, golf or whatever he is interested in. I spend enough hours with him at work and do not feel the need or desire to socialize with him outside of work to "suck up" to him in order to further my career.
I apologize if this sounds a bit sour but after working for 3.5 years for private industry and 23 years for the Federal government your article was well written but smacked of too much "kissing up" to the boss....and that is something that I decline to do....I let my work speak for itself.
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07/27/07 | Report as spam
Business/Professional etiquette
I think a lot of points addressed are valid....It boils down to simple business/professional etiquette.
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07/27/07 | Report as spam
Prevention of Career Suicide
This article was invaluable to me. I am currently seeking a position as an executive/personal assistant which will keep me running and rubbing elbows with the "big boss" on a regular basis. This article has given me incredible tips on how to relate, to make yourself invaluable, as well as the okay to let myself shine and promote my skills in a way that doesn't seem like "selling out" or bragging. The support that BNET has provided through my job search and my current workplace situation has been flawless and second to none. I just wanted to throw my kudos in here while I'm at it. I'll be reading articles here for the rest of my career.
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81
07/27/07 | Report as spam
Some valuable wisdom
After 23 years in the working world and now a boss; it's all very true and rather simple to live by
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07/28/07 | Report as spam
How to Manage Your Boss
Sir
One thing I have learnt the hard way is this. When you have a Benz and the boss has a Toyota, please do not park your Benz near his car. Keep it a little far and walk a distance and even if you have to dirty your shoes do it and pretend you have come by the train or bus. Never ever get caught with an expensive car when his is smaller then you car.
That is the best way to please the boss. Be small.
Firozali A.Mulla MBA PhD
P.O.Box 6044
Dar-Es-Salaam
Tanzania
East Africa
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07/28/07 | Report as spam
Beware being invaluable or indispensable
A boss who has an asset that is invaluable (or indispensable) will rightly do a lot to keep it. A good boss will be positive in their attempts to keep you which should be just and proper reward/recognition for good work. A bad boss however will hold you so hard they strangle you; you will not move sideways, up, down, multiskill or be able to develop yourself and any of these things increases your bosses risk of losing you! Being good is a two edged sword, make sure you know your boss or be prepared to leave to develop yourself.
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07/29/07 | Reported as spam
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07/30/07 | Report as spam
How to manage your boss
Great article! Pointing out the little things that create a great impact. Thanks
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86
07/30/07 | Report as spam
Nice Article
Its really a nice article...
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87
08/01/07 | Report as spam
How to Manage Your Boss
It makes an interesting reading. Very educative and straight to the point. It provides good insight into tips on how to manage any boss at all. Very good
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08/03/07 | Report as spam
Tips
Its important to some time missing from action purpose fully to make the message loud and clear that u shud not be taken for granted.
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89
08/04/07 | Report as spam
how to manage you boss
it seems that you are in a big .......... but as you are over qualified and you don't like your manager so what about making other intreviews?
Rami Amin
Sales Engineer
DMS (Data Management Systems)
Egypt
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90
08/07/07 | Report as spam
Great Stuff!
This is top of the boss' mind positioning. Clear, concise and totally doable! You must however have clear goals before you embark on this path.
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91
08/09/07 | Report as spam
How to manage your Boss
Quite interesting particularly the "Influencers of the Boss".Exactly right you can use these people very productively.But only the positive approach works.How to manage more than one Boss ?
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92
08/14/07 | Report as spam
It was very useful
Thanks to sharing us thisgood cases. mr. Batpurev / mongolia
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93
08/20/07 | Report as spam
How to manage your boss
Most valuable 5min....i will keep you posted on success...
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94
09/10/07 | Report as spam
RE: How to Manage Your Boss
not quite what i was expecting... i believe there are better ways than your "in-your-face-approach".
Debbie Brooks
Export Strategist
Johannesburg
South Africa
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95
12/20/07 | Report as spam
concern about overly agressive salesmanship
thank you for your comment.
Yes, this does seem to be an "In Your Face" typoe of approach.
I find the U.S. business society a somewhat more brawling and adversarial type of environment than elsewhere. This article is about shamelessly promoting one's self.
Cheers!
--Jehan
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96
09/19/07 | Report as spam
RE: How to Manage Your Boss
All your five steps ponts are good and will be helpfull; but my concern is that what of if you know that your boss is not 95% satisfied even if you tried your very best - may be because of different cultural background. My boss is a Japanese and he is always wants what he think is the best. He hardly listens to suggestions.
Biodun
Nigeria
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11/13/07 | Report as spam
RE: How to Manage Your Boss
Wow... gr8 article. After reading this i realized i have been mis-handling my boss, by not being professional and complaining about him every time. Mayb thatzy he blocked me on his messenger!!
Anoshay
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11/13/07 | Report as spam
Boss----phantom
Any1 to help me out with my query...whenevr i see my boss i get confused and even tend to forget things. Which obviously creates an impression that em giving a slipshot!! How to control all this pauses, burps and confusion. Plz recommend
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99
12/20/07 | Report as spam
Love it!
This is awesome for a recent college grad like myself. Definitely has opened up my eyes to new ideas on how to not blend into the crowd. Thanks!
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100
03/25/08 | Report as spam
RE: How to Manage Your Boss
I work with a virtual team. Can any one tell me something about building rapport in a virtual team. We all meet once in probably 6 months.
Any Suggestions?
Thanks
Krithiga
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03/27/08 | Report as spam
RE: How to Manage Your Boss
just have the complete knowledege of the work u are handling.
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102
04/17/08 | Report as spam
RE: How to Manage Your Boss
This is really a break through in my career life. It helped a lot and am going to apply the tactics to win my Boss. Thanks very much- Chris
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103
04/25/08 | Report as spam
RE: How to Manage Your Boss
absolutely true I have niced this ever sincei started geting along with my boss socialy
Timothy Nshimbi
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104
06/21/08 | Report as spam
RE: How to Manage Your Boss
This is really a good article.I will use this to get closer to my boss.
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105
06/24/08 | Report as spam
RE: How to Manage Your Boss
real cool tips
but before practicing this make sure that the real prob is nt withu and it is with ur boss
if the real prob is with you, you may feel the same but this tips will affect you badly.
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06/24/08 | Report as spam
RE: How to Manage Your Boss
The write-up explains everything one requires to work effectively with any type of boss. It is a wonderful masterpiece and I thank BNET for this. I must start applying recommendations to my own work.
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107
06/24/08 | Report as spam
RE: How to Manage Your Boss
God Bless the internet. Your suggestions are outstanding.
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108
07/11/08 | Report as spam
I think I'm going to throw up
This is noting more than a "HOW TO" in brownosing 101. Management should go top down. I have a job to do and I am here to do it, not to manage the guy (or girl) who is suppose to manage me.
This makes me sick.
Shame on anyone who thinks this is good information.
TCB
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109
08/14/08 | Report as spam
RE: How to Manage Your Boss
Brilliant article. Very insightful. Will definitely apply it
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110
08/20/08 | Report as spam
RE: How to Manage Your Boss
The pointers listed are spot on! In the management hierarchy, managers have a job to do, especialy line managers. However, senior or middle managers depend on their staff or subordinates to achieve objectives or goals. Therefore, to me the role of a manager is to his/her staff. Sustaining integriy and trust. What is more fundamentally important is to do the right thing!.
Therefore yes, it has to be top down management. To align oneself to be 'likeable' by your superior is compromising your own integrity. Your manager should also respect his/her subordinates and leads to leadership resonance throughout his/her subordinates.
Finally, Tai Chi's post is valuable information and advice and not just seeing the proverbial management advice, to 'keep positive' attitude. This leads to issue avoidance. Frankly, get real! In reference to Newton, equal and opposite reaction when there a positive, there is also a negative.
Just my 2 cents!
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08/27/08 | Report as spam
RE: How to Manage Your Boss
Goal: Reassure your boss that you know what you're doing.(Indespensable):I thing when we work for an organization we all have a common interest as we all have to look upon to that master who ultimately pays for our work by the end of the month, and that is the organization that we work for.Since we work under one shelter we all are bound to have a common mission statement.When we all work towards this mission by giveng our best shot, We will never be disposable but become indespensable.
2.Marketing Oneself: This can lead to move our focus from organization's mission to Bosses Mission.Its like saying ignore the master(organization) and please the servant (Boss) working for the Master(organization.Sounds ridiculous right but thats the fact.In an attempt to selfshine one may put in more time in hoew to please the boss rather than working towards the interest of the organization.
3.Influence the boss people:When we have one mission to work at we have better things to do rather than waste time on people who waste their time in unproductive work. This way will lead only to realise unproductivity to a large extent endangering the organization's future which inturn will reflect on it's people working under one banner.
4.Bosses Career : Every person is individualistic and unique in its character.Our attitude's differ.Attitude shape our thoughts, Thoughts give birth to our action and our action's mould's our being. This being leads our life wherever our presence is felt be it work place home or public place.Since we are all unique we all have special talents.So we all need to horn our own talent for the purpose of the organization's Mission and not Boses passion.
5.Compatible Personal Interest: Building up on Bosses's personal interest is like giving less time for one's own liking & more time to somebody elses liking. It is as good as pretending to show false liking for personal gains keeping the aside the organization's interest.This sounds like being an hypocrite and that can lead to a critical situation.It might give temporary joy & satisfation which will survive for a short time and that will be nothing but waste of time.
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09/16/08 | Report as spam
RE: How to Manage Your Boss
Wow,
Sounds like there are a lot of unhappy people out there. As a former boss (CEO), I found it fun to work with most everyone. There were employees that were not close friends, but I always appreciated their work product and their candor. If there were unsalvageable personality conflicts, I helped them to find another place to work, either within or outside of the company. It made their life and mine happier.
One of the truisms that I have learned over the years, nothing gets done without people working together. If there is harmony in the work environment, then coming to work should (on the whole) be enjoyable. You probably spend at least 1/3 of your waking hours at work; I hope that you find some enjoyment in it.
Scott, it sounds like you are happy in your programming environment, I'm sure you do a great job and could stay there as long as you want.
On the other hand, if you look at the highest paid positions, they involve managing people. The best 'Bosses' take an interest in their staff (home-life, dreams, goals, background, education, etc.). If you take the time to know your boss, then you are showing you have the desire to manage subordinates. Since managing others is not your goal, and mastering the technical aspects of your craft is, you seem to have found your niche.
For everyone else out there looking to be promoted, how you treat your superior (boss) is a measure of how you will treat subordinates. If you treat them as the means to an end and nothing more, it will come across that way. If you treat your superior with respect and courtesy, it will be noticed. We are all being measured each and every day.
Knowing a bosses personal interests doesn't mean taking up a new hobby or learning how the game is played, it just means you wish them good luck on the course, or hope their team wins the game. Do you have the exact same hobbies as your spouse, or do you just need to express an interest? After all, we all put our pants on the same way. Everyone appreciates being noticed.
