FINGERTIPS
Know your boss, but show results
Do you thrive under guidance galore, and revel under dynamic leadership? Does a dictatorial regime trouble you and the pessimist bogs you? Indeed, these qualities are ever present in the workplace, in the form of your leader, the chief of your operations, the boss. His nature and modus operandi are rather crucial.
The boss has to give the team direction and focus. It is he who motivates and encourages, helps trouble-shoot and resolve conflicts and, most importantly, sets goals and ensures they are achieved. Hence, his attitude is vital. A visionary motivates with ease, while a pessimist only finds fault. Bosses are never consistent. Each has unique characteristics and working methods. Interacting well and building an affable relationship with this important position is imperative. Difficult bosses can make work seem tougher and infuse disgruntlement, anxiety and disinterest in work. Motivating, amiable bosses set high challenges and expect unparalleled devotion to work. Irrespective of the type bosses have to be dealt with systematically with a strategy and approach that suits their style of leadership. To remain yourself merely reacting to the situation created will leave you in a passive position. To be proactive, to rise and shine, identify the type of boss you have and build a relationship accordingly. Some types of bosses and ways to interact with them are:
The Achiever: Exuding energy, determined to achieve success, setting great challenges and revelling under them, is the persistent achiever. Accomplished themselves, such bosses demand the same of their subordinates.
With the achiever boss, commitment and dedication has to emanate from every action. An achiever is also an excellent mentor who can teach and guide you to success. So grab every opportunity to seek his guidance. Take initiative and show drive and determination, ask for assignments and tasks and be innovative.
Achievers can also be visionaries, expanding boundaries and taking innovation to greater heights. Be sure to learn from them and appreciate them. They will expect you to work as hard as them, so do so. Achievers and visionaries usually spiral upwards, hence become an integral part of their team.
The Experienced one: Great learning and quiet work may result from this type of boss who is older and experienced. He will work without the high energy of the achiever but work will get done well at a smooth pace. May not greatly encou
rage innovation but he won’t be opposed to it either. Be patient and enjoy this smooth sailing. Be prepared for an occasional lecture.
Do take on the responsibility and put forth ideas, for they may well be approved as long as they aren’t really drastic.
This is a good opportunity to do work that will highlight your skills. Be dedicated and punctual. Further network, and do cross training. Learn new techniques, as they will come in handy with the experienced boss.
The Controller: Details, rules, deadlines are what the controller boss thrives on. There is always meticulous planning for every small meeting and memos and reports thereafter. Creativity may be relegated as order and systematic approa
ches are encouraged. Can be overbearing and not approve of sudden leave of absence, or even a small office celebration. He is quite likely to be paranoid about time management for the entire team. Well, play by the rules, with this type of boss.
Document every single task you do meticulously as he will want to check every detail of work and be pleased with your thoroughness. Make memos, send written proposals, and cite rules. If you have an innovative or creative brainwave, be sure to clearly elucidate it on paper, with clear statistics and how the idea translates in practice.
The Dictator: Rules are imposed, orders issued, and the workers are barraged with work. You aren’t encouraged, instead there is constant fault finding and imposing of unnecessary deadlines.
The workplace becomes a menace and you have no individual space. Follow the rules, extend support when you believe in the idea, and network with other departments, ask for cross-functional training, as this could create an opportunity to shift.
Don’t show displeasure or be difficult as this will only portray your unwillingness and create a cycle of bullying or dictatorial behaviour. Stay calm, do your work well, shine in meetings with other seniors, as this will create goodwill for your future.
The Lost Guy: This is the poor boss who fumbles. He is clearly here due to time devoted to the company. May give vague instructions and is often a poor mentor. Well, this gives you the opportunity to shine, as now the sheen will be mor
e apparent.
Take on responsibility and new tasks, attempt to perform well, support the boss and ask for important projects. This is an excellent chance to build your resume and display your skills.
The Difficult One: Is just plain difficult. Can find fault with anything and is a pessimist. Can nag and pester and only sees flaws. Seems impossible to please.
This may just be a façade to propel you to deliver greater results and build on your self-motivation. Please with excellent results and work on feedback together. If the pessimism continues, simply be nice. Smile more, be supportive in meetings and with proposals, and appreciate the boss to garner some understanding for your self.
To strictly classify your leader may not be such an easy task for characteristics does overlap. However, in all cases, observe the style and method of functioning of and work in tandem. If difficulty prevails, do talk to your boss. Find out what his expectations are. This will show willingness to learn and establish a sense of camaraderie and team spirit.
Observe subtleties yet deliver with grandeur; ask for advice and imbibe this learning. Work to please yet let the work be outstanding. Success and recognition are bound to be yours.
