Hello friend, I was reading the above issue with Nimaa and the posts came regarding it suggesting some very good solutions for this. I am a customer team member in retail food . while reading Nimaa's problem I can easily to relate with my situation occurred with the store manager. She's newly appointed as a store manager and I think she lacks in employee-employer relation. however in-spite of thinking of complaining to senior management I thought it would be better to adapt myself according to the way she want. Now things going stable but somewhere it hurts while doing your favorite job.
From United Kingdom, London
1From United Kingdom, London
Hi Nimaa,
I understand you issues, they are in fact quite common.
You have received some very good comments and observations from members so far and there is lot for you to digest.
If ever there was a classic case of educating the boss; this is it (I am sure many more will follow !!!).
I once read an article by Kay Buckby of the Development Company; where she gave 10 tips for Managing the Boss:
You must first understand and accept that your relationship with your boss is the most important relationship you have at work.
Most people expect our boss to manage us, but if you think for a moment the pressures the boss is under you will realize that most successful people manage their boss ..... effectively.
1) Agree the boundaries
By this I mean agree the standards and outputs expected and avoid leaving things to chance. Agree reporting lines for example who do you report to when the boss is not around. Does the boss require daily or weekly reviews.
2) Manage your Boss's time
Remember that whilst your time is entirely devoted to your boss; do not expect your boss's time to be entirely devoted to you.
Does your boss maintain a diary? If not introduce one; if so then book time to meet with boss (say a week in advance). Book a short period of time. Prepare and summarize data and present options, suggestions and solutions to keep the meetings action driven, (no chit chat).
3) Avoid making Assumptions
Most bosses are busy working on their own priorities and often forget that one of their ares of effort are their own people.
Never think that they know more than you do, you were hired for your expertise, the boss was hired to manage a team of experts. Develop yourself, after all it is YOUR dream job !!
4) Be a Problem Solver
Don't moan or whinge about problems and never dump your problems on the boss. Develop your problem solving skills. Analyse the data you have toi gather facts; brainstorm the options (involve your peers) to eliminate and refine the options, then discuss the solution with the boss. Use positive words, for example: "Regarding the team away day, I've thought through the logistics", rather than "There is a major problem with the transport for the team away day"
5) Always deliver
Always deliver what you promise to deliver or rather under promise and over deliver. Avoid delivering bad news without forewarning. Avoid bad surprises.
6) Develop a relationship based on Trust
Careless errors an d poor quality of work will erode confidence and trust. Far too many people criticize their line managers, which results in loss of trust when they find out (and they will, eventually).
7) Provide constructive feedback
Develop constructive feedback skills; stick to facts, state it behaviorally and avoid being personal.
8) Accept Differences
Every individual has their own frame of reference; this includes values, beliefs, standards and views of the world. Accept these differences and work with them.
9) Increase your boundaries
Managers often assume that their staff will struggle if given a task outside their comfort zone. Enhance your knowledge and skills, then let the boss know. ASK for increased responsibilities.
10) Celebrate
Make time to celebrate events that go well. We often make time to analyse when events fail, which is negative psychology. Use positive psychology in all working relationships and remember your Boss needs a positive stoke too! Provide positive feedback to ensure you maintain the successful team.
Aristotle once said "We are what we repeatedly do".
Commit to managing your Boss and you will repeatedly maximize your potential.
I know i have not given you a direct answer to your query, but i hope that some of the tips given will go someway in helping you to a better workplace environment. It will take time, ther is no overnight solution, but it will be worth it.
Hope this helps,
Regards,
Harsh
From United Kingdom, Barrow
I understand you issues, they are in fact quite common.
You have received some very good comments and observations from members so far and there is lot for you to digest.
If ever there was a classic case of educating the boss; this is it (I am sure many more will follow !!!).
I once read an article by Kay Buckby of the Development Company; where she gave 10 tips for Managing the Boss:
You must first understand and accept that your relationship with your boss is the most important relationship you have at work.
Most people expect our boss to manage us, but if you think for a moment the pressures the boss is under you will realize that most successful people manage their boss ..... effectively.
1) Agree the boundaries
By this I mean agree the standards and outputs expected and avoid leaving things to chance. Agree reporting lines for example who do you report to when the boss is not around. Does the boss require daily or weekly reviews.
2) Manage your Boss's time
Remember that whilst your time is entirely devoted to your boss; do not expect your boss's time to be entirely devoted to you.
Does your boss maintain a diary? If not introduce one; if so then book time to meet with boss (say a week in advance). Book a short period of time. Prepare and summarize data and present options, suggestions and solutions to keep the meetings action driven, (no chit chat).
3) Avoid making Assumptions
Most bosses are busy working on their own priorities and often forget that one of their ares of effort are their own people.
Never think that they know more than you do, you were hired for your expertise, the boss was hired to manage a team of experts. Develop yourself, after all it is YOUR dream job !!
4) Be a Problem Solver
Don't moan or whinge about problems and never dump your problems on the boss. Develop your problem solving skills. Analyse the data you have toi gather facts; brainstorm the options (involve your peers) to eliminate and refine the options, then discuss the solution with the boss. Use positive words, for example: "Regarding the team away day, I've thought through the logistics", rather than "There is a major problem with the transport for the team away day"
5) Always deliver
Always deliver what you promise to deliver or rather under promise and over deliver. Avoid delivering bad news without forewarning. Avoid bad surprises.
6) Develop a relationship based on Trust
Careless errors an d poor quality of work will erode confidence and trust. Far too many people criticize their line managers, which results in loss of trust when they find out (and they will, eventually).
7) Provide constructive feedback
Develop constructive feedback skills; stick to facts, state it behaviorally and avoid being personal.
8) Accept Differences
Every individual has their own frame of reference; this includes values, beliefs, standards and views of the world. Accept these differences and work with them.
9) Increase your boundaries
Managers often assume that their staff will struggle if given a task outside their comfort zone. Enhance your knowledge and skills, then let the boss know. ASK for increased responsibilities.
10) Celebrate
Make time to celebrate events that go well. We often make time to analyse when events fail, which is negative psychology. Use positive psychology in all working relationships and remember your Boss needs a positive stoke too! Provide positive feedback to ensure you maintain the successful team.
Aristotle once said "We are what we repeatedly do".
Commit to managing your Boss and you will repeatedly maximize your potential.
I know i have not given you a direct answer to your query, but i hope that some of the tips given will go someway in helping you to a better workplace environment. It will take time, ther is no overnight solution, but it will be worth it.
Hope this helps,
Regards,
Harsh
From United Kingdom, Barrow
Dear Nima,
I can completely empathise with you as i was also going through the same situation.but in my case situations became so worse that i had to escalate to my CEO to get a solution.As i loved my job,even i did not want to leave and go just because of one person.Now after my request,i am being moved to a different department.Let me give you my suggestions after the expereince that i have gained through all this.
First ,do not escalate to anyone unless you have solid proof with you.(People can change statements and turn the table against you in seconds)
Do not expect your super boss to help you unless and untill you have a good rapport with him/her.They will only support your manager if they have a good working relationship.You will only become the guinea pig in between them.
Documentary evidences become very crucial in this situation.Wait for such instances again as your manager is not going to change her behaviour over night.Try to collect some trail mails so that the entire conversation is intact.
Go to your company website or policies and check for platforms like Right to speak or grevence redressal cell if any and understand how you can approach them
If your other colleagues are also facing these issues,try to bring atleast 2-3 of them into confidence and ask them also to start collecting the evidence.
Be careful of that subordinate of yours.She should never come to know of anything.I have seen lot of such 'chamchas' and infact they are dangerous.So be pally with her and do not let go of anything.
See if you can talk to any senior person in your organization who will genuinely hear you out.It can be in any other department.May be you can get some suggestions on how best to tackle this in this situation.You may also get some other information from them like... whether anyone else has faced similar issues in past or any body has complained agaianst her earlier etc which can make your case stronger.
First wait for few more days and see if there is any change in her behaviour after you apply the practical tips given by the seniors here on improving comunication and documenting things robustly and tactically
See if there is an oppoortunity to move to a different role/assignment so that you need to report to her if such an option is available.In that case,dont blame anyone,Just tell them that you want to learn something new and move on silently
If there is no improvement,then be prepared to escalate it to the next level.Be really strong and believe that you are doing the right thing.Also tell yourself that you are not doing anything wrong and just taking a corrective measure as you do not have a congenial environment to work,which is very weel your right.All of you including your boss is working for the company and it is the company which has hired you and paying you salary and not her.
Also just be cautious of all your communications with her now as she can also come back with some other evidence against you if required.See that things are fool proof from your end.
All the very best to you.
From India, Bangalore
I can completely empathise with you as i was also going through the same situation.but in my case situations became so worse that i had to escalate to my CEO to get a solution.As i loved my job,even i did not want to leave and go just because of one person.Now after my request,i am being moved to a different department.Let me give you my suggestions after the expereince that i have gained through all this.
First ,do not escalate to anyone unless you have solid proof with you.(People can change statements and turn the table against you in seconds)
Do not expect your super boss to help you unless and untill you have a good rapport with him/her.They will only support your manager if they have a good working relationship.You will only become the guinea pig in between them.
Documentary evidences become very crucial in this situation.Wait for such instances again as your manager is not going to change her behaviour over night.Try to collect some trail mails so that the entire conversation is intact.
Go to your company website or policies and check for platforms like Right to speak or grevence redressal cell if any and understand how you can approach them
If your other colleagues are also facing these issues,try to bring atleast 2-3 of them into confidence and ask them also to start collecting the evidence.
Be careful of that subordinate of yours.She should never come to know of anything.I have seen lot of such 'chamchas' and infact they are dangerous.So be pally with her and do not let go of anything.
See if you can talk to any senior person in your organization who will genuinely hear you out.It can be in any other department.May be you can get some suggestions on how best to tackle this in this situation.You may also get some other information from them like... whether anyone else has faced similar issues in past or any body has complained agaianst her earlier etc which can make your case stronger.
First wait for few more days and see if there is any change in her behaviour after you apply the practical tips given by the seniors here on improving comunication and documenting things robustly and tactically
See if there is an oppoortunity to move to a different role/assignment so that you need to report to her if such an option is available.In that case,dont blame anyone,Just tell them that you want to learn something new and move on silently
If there is no improvement,then be prepared to escalate it to the next level.Be really strong and believe that you are doing the right thing.Also tell yourself that you are not doing anything wrong and just taking a corrective measure as you do not have a congenial environment to work,which is very weel your right.All of you including your boss is working for the company and it is the company which has hired you and paying you salary and not her.
Also just be cautious of all your communications with her now as she can also come back with some other evidence against you if required.See that things are fool proof from your end.
All the very best to you.
From India, Bangalore
Dear Nimaa,
It’s a difficult situation. But with time, their acceptance towards you as colleague will grow automatically.
Firstly, you will have to accept them as colleagues. Don’t rush to be friends. Keep all communications professional.
Concentrate more on your work & try to deliver good results every time. Also keep a check on where you could be trapped, & keep clean communication records to support your positions in these matters.
(e.g.: Do not complain/fight about the decisions you strongly disagree, but are out of your authority; Keep constructively towards the decision, but do keep record of your suggestions against it. So, if it works out, you are a team player. If it doesn’t, nobody can badmouth you!) This shuts off the back-stabbing from subordinates. If you never fail, they never get to complain. Eventually, they would have to stop.
Your good performance would increase dependency on you, which would automatically reduce the clashes with superiors. Some people might not accept you right through, but at least the criticism will reduce.
This has to be continued, until you make your own unique/undeniable position in the organisation.
It will surely be a struggle to maintain good performance in such environment, but at least you will be facing known & accepted enimies:
1. Mis-communication: If you think there is mis-communication between you & your boss, try to improve on that front. When you work together for some time, you would be able to predict her thoughtlines & her moods. Try to adjust your responses accordingly. Then you only have to work on the proper & clear communication means.
2. Dependancy: Keep minimum dependancy on your subordinate. Keep strict review of her work & efficiency. Do not complain, but keep reporting these statistics in periodic reporting.
3. Reporting: Report what you are doing, without fear of receiving critics. If you report inefficiency of subordinate, also report your recovery plan & execution results along with. “All’s well, when end’s well.” Do not forget to take your share of credit for the well end, without giving opportunity for others to snatch it away / blame it with some minor issue.
4. Professional attitude: If you demonstrate that these things do not bother your performance, they will reduce. “Good living is best revange”. Nobody can beat that…. :-)
Best Regards,
Amod.
It’s a difficult situation. But with time, their acceptance towards you as colleague will grow automatically.
Firstly, you will have to accept them as colleagues. Don’t rush to be friends. Keep all communications professional.
Concentrate more on your work & try to deliver good results every time. Also keep a check on where you could be trapped, & keep clean communication records to support your positions in these matters.
(e.g.: Do not complain/fight about the decisions you strongly disagree, but are out of your authority; Keep constructively towards the decision, but do keep record of your suggestions against it. So, if it works out, you are a team player. If it doesn’t, nobody can badmouth you!) This shuts off the back-stabbing from subordinates. If you never fail, they never get to complain. Eventually, they would have to stop.
Your good performance would increase dependency on you, which would automatically reduce the clashes with superiors. Some people might not accept you right through, but at least the criticism will reduce.
This has to be continued, until you make your own unique/undeniable position in the organisation.
It will surely be a struggle to maintain good performance in such environment, but at least you will be facing known & accepted enimies:
1. Mis-communication: If you think there is mis-communication between you & your boss, try to improve on that front. When you work together for some time, you would be able to predict her thoughtlines & her moods. Try to adjust your responses accordingly. Then you only have to work on the proper & clear communication means.
2. Dependancy: Keep minimum dependancy on your subordinate. Keep strict review of her work & efficiency. Do not complain, but keep reporting these statistics in periodic reporting.
3. Reporting: Report what you are doing, without fear of receiving critics. If you report inefficiency of subordinate, also report your recovery plan & execution results along with. “All’s well, when end’s well.” Do not forget to take your share of credit for the well end, without giving opportunity for others to snatch it away / blame it with some minor issue.
4. Professional attitude: If you demonstrate that these things do not bother your performance, they will reduce. “Good living is best revange”. Nobody can beat that…. :-)
Best Regards,
Amod.
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1.Be a Better Boss and not a Bitter Boss.doc