REFLECT ON HOW BEST TO HANDLE YOUR BOSS

I guess some bosses are better than others - a few of my bosses would have fired my a&^e if I had had the gumption to tell them that they were wrong and a few have given me the chance to explain why I think that that they are wrong. To be sure, it is much better to work with the latter one!

Regards
Nikki


Everyone has a boss - even your boss. And being human, even a boss can make a mistake, but how do you tell him or her?

The short answer, according to Monique Rissen-Harrisberg, chief executive officer of The Voice Clinic, a communication skills training company, is "very carefully".

Research by Ramon Greenwood, a US career counsellor, said up to 80 percent of workforce turnover related to unsatisfactory relationships with the boss. But telling the boss he/she is wrong is easier said than done.

Motion picture mogul Samuel Goldwyn reportedly said, "I don't want any yes men around me. I want people to tell the truth, even if it costs them their jobs."

But this should not prevent you from approaching your boss and diplomatically pointing out a wrong.

In his e-book Greenwood said before telling the boss he/she was wrong, be sure that it was worth the effort.

"Some mistakes just don't make that much difference. However, if the problem is material, bite the bullet and speak up. Or speak up if the mistake gives you such a pain in the backside that you can't function at top speed," said Greenwood. Rissen-Harrisberg said most people had experience in talking to their parents, teachers, friends and other adults, but not the boss.

"It is a different type of relationship and it may be intimidating. After all, your relationship with your boss is a key one... to your career success," said Rissen-Harrisberg.

She said when you offered your boss valuable feedback, he/she valued you as a trusted guide, but the key to taking opposing positions was how you packaged and delivered your opinions.

Greenwood said the message had to be delivered in a way that conveyed "I want to help you".

"Take your fair share, and more, of the responsibility. It won't hurt you to occasionally take some of the responsibility for the goof-up, even if you are without blame," said Greenwood.

Rissen-Harrisberg said you must have something thoughtful and substantive to say.

"But even when you have the right case, if you present it with the wrong attitude, it will fall on deaf ears - or offended ones. You could end up banished to a career gulag.

"How you challenge the boss means making choices in three arenas: channel your feelings so you're honestly constructive, figure out the reasons why the policy or process that you want to change isn't working, and then talk about how to do it differently."