Page 25 - Cornwall Issue 6 2024

WORKPLACE

THREE THINGS THAT MAY HELP YOU SEE YOUR BOSS AS A HUMAN

iven half a chance, we have The point is, most managers struggle Those who scheduled time with me got
all complained about our with the requirement to juggle their a much better interaction with me than
appointed leaders at some own work, manage others' work, those who didn't.
point or another. Most of us ensure everyone has work to do,
Ghave had a boss like Miranda ensure that payments are coming in, Equally, my boss averaged 950 unread
in The Devil Wears Prada, who talks that clients are happy, that everyone emails – emailing him was pointless.
more than she listens, whose body has resources, and that their own boss If I needed anything from him I would
language says "I have no interest in is satisfied. Most bosses try to buffer pop into his office for a chat. If I had
you", whose words say "You aren't their teams from this kind of stress stuck to my emailing preference we
worth my time", whose actions say and other vulnerabilities. would have gone nowhere.
"Please bore someone else with your
questions". Indeed, some of us have So when you next think your boss is a MANAGE YOURSELF
been on the receiving end at some monster, there may be value in putting Irrespective of how your boss
point! yourself in her shoes to see the world manages, you need to work with him/
from her perspective - which may her! So unless you are planning to
I hear a recurring theme around what highlight that she is fallible, vulnerable resign as a result of your boss, you
bosses should do: make more time to and human. When we seek the could consider managing yourself. I
listen, develop staff better, transfer humanity in each other, so much of the hear many employees say that their
skills, share more information, engage ugly stuff gets wiped away. boss hasn't clarified where they are
the team's ideas, inspire their staff, going in the company – I always ask
have their back. There is no doubt in MANAGE UPWARDS whether the employee has articulated
my mind that, YES, bosses should be Your boss is invariably managing more her goals! The people I always invested
doing all of these things, and in an people than just you - she may need effort in were those who came to
ideal world, they probably would. chameleon-like skills if she wants to me with clear goals and thoughts
get it right all the time! You, on the on how to get there. Anyone who
But this is not an ideal world and other hand, probably only have to wanted a meeting with me but hadn't
bosses are not perfect - I say that as understand one person, your boss, to thought about possible solutions for
someone who has been an imperfect effectively communicate with her. themselves, didn't generally get very far.
boss and who has had to survive an
imperfect boss. So here are three If you are not sure, ask Next time you want something, go
things I hope will make you more your boss how she prefers to your boss prepared: what do you
resilient to your boss' imperfections, to communicate and then want? how do you plan to get it? what
and give you insights into the reality of manage upwards. What do I mean? support do you need? Make it easy for
being the person in charge. Back when I managed a team of 30, your boss to help you. It’s more likely
my office was like a train you will get her support.
BOSSES ARE HUMANS TOO station and I often
From personal experience, managers joked about needing Give the above strategies a try,
tend to be promoted because, amongst a ticketing system but if none of them makes
other things, they exhibit technical instead of having a difference, then be clear
competence, deliver the goods, have people milling with yourself on knowing
drive and determination, and show around at my when it is time to resign!
initiative. But generally, these technical door expecting
skills and attributes fall short in instant Note: This article is
managing people. attention. in no way intended
Eventually I to absolve bosses
Even the best managers are often just implemented from their
doing the best they know how and an electronic responsibilities!
‘winging it’. When the ‘best you know calendar
how’ is modelled on the ‘best someone scheduling
else knew how’, we repeat the same system as a
mistakes. Rarely are managers replacement
intentionally damaging. Most often for the ‘stand
they don't realise the damage done by at my door and
a careless word or action. wait’ system.

Cornwall View • Issue 6 2024 23
Cornwall View • Issue 5 2024 11