Managing Your Boss (Part 2)

Do you ever make up stories about what your boss expects?

Our recent Linkedin poll results show that most respondents had a healthy relationship with their boss.  A significant minority however described their relationship with their boss  as “Nightmare, I can’t wait to leave.”  It is easy to see how this situation can develop:

One issue that has come up frequently with our coaching clients recently has been making up stories about what their boss expects.  The various scenarios have some common factors:

• the boss is very busy and has not been in touch as frequently as usual
• the executive has high standards for themselves and their performance has been rewarded with extra responsibilities
• the executive has, in the absence of a clear communciation of expectations, made up a story that they are expected to deliver huge improvements rapidly
• the executive ends up working extremely long hours, to the detriment of their family relationships, their energy levels, their health and their moods
• their colleagues feel less inclined to help out or go the extra mile, making life even harder for the executive
• the boss is in blissful ignorance of the blood, sweat and tears being expended
• the executive ends up feeling resentful towards their “heartless” boss

The good news is that the coach can hold up the mirror to this situation and encourage the executive to test out their assumptions.  The executive can take control by designing a weekly diary that brings more balance to their week so that they are not only productive and effective, but are enjoying their newly expanded role.  And the boss is impressed that they have made proactive decisions.

If you enjoyed this article, try our others on Managing Your Boss (Part 1) and Work/Life Balance.

To find out more about how Business Jigsaw Coaching could help you, go to www.businessjigsaw.com