Did you know that October 16 (last Sunday) was National Boss’s Day?
For many of us, there’s a boss somewhere in our past or present. Whether you have a manager, supervisor, director, or executive, Boss’s Day is the time to acknowledge and appreciate the effort they put in each and every day.
In our own very special way of celebrating National Boss’ Day, I would like to outline five kinds of bosses you might have, and how to work with them effectively:
The Scatter-Brain
While these bosses are usually very nice, they are often the worst. A scatter-brained boss is one that is running in all directions at once. These bosses are very disorganized, often late on deadlines, and rely heavily on their employees.
How to work with them: You need to pick up some of the slack. On the bright side, this gives you the opportunity to be more independent in your work and enhance your skill sets. Make sure you don’t do too much work under the radar, or it is likely to be missed.
The Softy
This boss wants to be your best friend. They always have a smile on their face, even if you mess up, badly. They probably have difficulty figuring out where to draw the line between “friend” and “leader”.
How to work with them: If they can’t, it’s up to you to draw the line in the sand. Even if you were friends before their promotion, remember that you are an employee during business hours. Don’t take advantage of the softy because it will not last long.
Check out: Friends with the Boss? 3 Things to Consider
The Control Freak
The control freak loves to manage. Almost too much. They’re often too preoccupied with your work that you feel that you’ve lost some of your independence in the process.
How to work with them: If micro-managing is their game, you need to make your own space. Be upfront with them by saying something like, “I appreciate all the help you’re giving me, but I think I would work a whole lot faster if I worked by myself and turned the work into you when it’s done.” This suggestion disarms the control freak, because they want the best product and you’re telling them how that can happen.
The Bad Attitude
If you have a boss with a bad attitude, I’m sorry. You lost the management lotto and there’s not a lot you can do about it. Whether they are passive-aggressive or outright rude, this kind of boss is just rotten all the time.
How to work with them: If you’re sure that this bad attitude isn’t going to be temporary, there is little you can do. If your work experience is suffering due to this boss, talk to HR, their superior, and, as a last resort, remove yourself from the situation. Life is too short to have a bad job.
Check out: Horrible Bosses: 3 Red Flags to Note Before It’s Too Late
The Leader
It may not seem like it, but having a leader as a boss is the best situation you’ll find yourself. The leader knows the manager-employee relationship well and can handle the situation with finesse. You’re not always going to be able to shoot the breeze with a leader boss, but you will find that your work always gets done and your company/department/staff makes progress.
How to work with them: Work and work well. When you don’t have to worry about your boss, you can focus on your own career and work style. Complete assignments on time and offer ideas to your supervisors.
What do you think? What other types of bosses are out there and how can an employee work with them? Do you have any boss stories you’d like to share? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Interested in learning more about the worst bosses?
Check out our upcoming webinar, Big Bad Boss: What To Do When Your Boss Is Evil on November 2. We will be talking about identifying and dealing with a terrible boss while hearing others’ stories!
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