If you like your boss = winning
There is significant evidence that shows that “liking your boss” is a huge source of work satisfaction. Put another way, if you don’t like your boss, you will not be happy. Accenture says 31% of people leave their job because of their boss here.
Luckily, I like my boss. He is super fair, trusting, easy to get along with, and most importantly, knows what he is doing. Seriously, leaders need to lead, right?
professional relationship
Some things I have said to my boss. . .which tells me that I am in a safe environment, somewhere I can challenge myself and others, innovate, and grow:
- I am not the right person. Might make sense to have ABC do that, (s)he is better
- I don’t know, but I will find out
- Doesn’t it make sense that we ABC?
- I am not brilliant, but we just can’t be doing XYZ without losing face
- He means well, has some strengths, but is not in the right role to succeed; probably should leave the team
- Need to let you know that there is risk; was a part of a meeting that did not go well
- Yes, we can make those changes, but probably not tonight. Too late, and we don’t want to be experimenting before the proposal
- Sorry to have to say this, but the raise / incentive did not show in the last paycheck
- Don’t recommend that. We have those 2 pages which tell enough of the story
- Sorry, it was a miss on my part
If not, what to do?
If you don’t have an authentic relationship with your boss. First of all, that sucks.
Second, I guess you have a few choices to make:
- Do great work; prove your value and be respected for it
- Find the white spaces, and volunteer to do more
- Make your boss look great
- Be vulnerable, and try to connect on a deeper level
- Learn what you can and move on (yep, there are sunk costs too)
- Wait until your boss leaves
- Find new “roots” in the organization, laterally, or elsewhere
Good news: you own your own career
We have never been more empowered than now. A bad boss here and there (yes, I have had 3 in my life) is not a career breaker. Own your own professionalism, get great advice, exercise, develop a network of relationships. Be super coachable. Win, win, win. You will map to the right opportunity.