Managing bosses 1

I give leadership seminars and one is coming up again very soon. The two-day seminar-workshop, called Level Up Leadership, is my personal favorite program.

It requires so much of me, but it is okay. I may go home each day and crash out of sheer energy exhaustion, but I love doing it because it is a program that has transformed leaders and their lives from all fields of industry. And that’s what gives me fulfillment and meaning in what I do.

The program has allowed me to learn so much from my participants. Business owners bringing their next generation successors, executives from the C-Level of both multinational and local companies, next level leaders being prepared to take on higher leadership roles and professionals from different fields would attend the program. Just imagine how this vast field of leadership lessons and resource one can learn within the two days experience.

Many would be surprised if in this course I ask them this question: Leaders should learn how to lead effectively, but what about those who are being led? How do they lead their leaders? In other words, if I were to ask you “how do you manage your boss?”

Not many of my participants have ever entertained the possibility that they can lead their bosses. Or to put it in a simple phrase that is easily understood; even people who are being led can actually manage their bosses. Without this skill you’re not likely to succeed.

What I will do today is to present bosses that are boxed in six broad categories. And then tomorrow suggest ideas on how to manage them with no other intention than to bring efficiency and harmony to the organization.

1. Everyone’s Pal Boss

This boss wants to be liked, and usually avoids conflict. He or she is likely to let problems or incorrect behavior drag on until forced to deal with it.

2. The Selfie Boss

This is the boss who is out to make a name for herself. This boss usually takes credit from her staff. However, she is ready to share the blame because she is always looking to grab the spotlight, this leaves her little time to develop her staff.

3. The High Achiever Boss

These dedicated bosses are generally the first to arrive at the office and last to leave. He is constantly looking for ways to optimize his department, and to improve his knowledge and skills. They are political people who understand the value of networking. Because they look beyond themselves, they are open to your ideas and eager to give you new opportunities. They also share all types of feedback, so you know where you stand.

4. Roadblock Boss

The roadblock does as little work as possible. They tend to hire mediocre employees and don’t push employees too hard. They love to preserve the status quo. These bosses tolerate mistakes, re-work, and inefficiencies. Ambitious employees or peers are threatening to this boss. They are roadblocks because they are seldom promoted, and they seldom hire stars. They block the road for others to move ahead. They also hold the department back from meeting its highest potential.

5. In Over Her Head Boss

This type of manager is in over her head. For whatever reason, they were promoted to a position which they do not have the ability or knowledge to handle. Don’t expect much guidance from this manager. And, she probably does not have much clout among her peers and senior management or partners.

There may be many other types out there, but we do not have the space to present all of them here.

It’s easy to pinpoint the problems, but without offering some healthy suggestions on how to deal with these type of bosses it is just plain whining. And whining is not the objective of this writing.

Today is part 1 – identifying the types of typical bosses you find in the workplace. Tomorrow comes the ideas on how to manage the bosses that can make things better, live life easier and level up your leadership skills a lot higher so you can be highly inspired and motivated to do your best and to be your best.

Tomorrow will be part 2 of our two-part series so make sure you get a copy and join me in our journey to lead and manage our leaders and managers better.

(Experience two inspiring days of leadership training with Francis Kong in his highly acclaimed Level Up Leadership on May 17-18 at Makati, Shangri-La Hotel. For registration or inquiries contact April at +63928-559-1798).