Page 25 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 10 2024

THE BIG PICTURE
WORKPLACE

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

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

DPL issue 10 2024 25
24 DPL issue 10 2024 Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 2 • 2024