Communicating Effectively with your Boss

Wendy Hamilton Hoelscher Learning and Organizational Development

Objectives
Understand what it means to manage up and why it is important Diagnose your managers work style and your own work style Develop strategies for managing your manager

Management Defined
Management is a discipline an organized body of knowledge and as such is applicable everywhere it is also culture. Management is a social function and embedded in a culture of values, customs, and beliefs of an organization Peter Drucker

Best Boss, Worst Boss

Group 1: What were some of the qualities and of quirks of the best boss you ever had? Group 2: What were some of the qualities and quirks of the worst boss you ever had?

Managing up means
focusing on the relationship with your boss to obtain the best results for you, your boss and your organization

The Managerial Conundrum

Managers are typically hired for their technical competence and then rewarded with managerial responsibilities.
BUT ---

There is no Management Fairy to make new managers managers

Lets Begin
Think about your relationship with your current boss
What works well What doesnt work What keeps you awake at night What keeps your boss awake at night

Unskilled at Boss Relationships

(from Lombardo and Eichinger)

Not comfortable with bosses May be tense in bosss presence May not be open to coaching or direction from the boss Problems dealing comfortably with authority Poor boss relationship gets in the way of personal productivity

Skilled at Boss Relationships

(from Lombardo and Eichinger)

Responds and relates well to bosses Would work harder for a good boss Is open to learning from bosses who are good coaches and who provide latitude Likes to learn from those who have been there before Easy to challenge and develop, comfortably coach-able

Overused Skill Boss Relationships

(from Lombardo and Eichinger)

Over-dependence on bosses and high status figures for advice and counsel May shut out other sources of feedback and learning Picks the wrong boss to model

Some Causes for Poor Boss Relationships

Boss doesnt think you are as good as you think you are You think the boss has the job you should Large gap in skills leading to undervaluing/ not respecting the other (either direction) Mismatches in ethics, values and integrity Mismatches in management practices Mismatches in style, philosophy, pace and motivation Poor communication in both directions

Circle of Influence/Circle of Concern

Circle of Concern Circle of Influence

Key Factors
1. Understanding your bosss work style 2. Understanding your bosss goals and priorities 3. Understanding how your role links to your managers work and organizational success

Management Styles: Logic

Prefers detailed analyses and facts Be able to answer tough questions Explain processes and methodology Be correct!

Management Style: Visionary/Creative

Prefer top and bottom line discussions Engaged through discussion, questions Brainstorm rather than data dump Cant be done not in the vocabulary Emphasize positives

Management Styles: Relationship

Values connection and collaboration Discusses work and life outside work Be prepared to discuss how implementation of an idea will impact the team

Management Style: Ego

Driven and competitive Show how ideas benefit the manager and/or the team Will modify what you do to put own stamp on the results Smells fear, be confident

Management Styles: Action Oriented

Task focused Can do and will more than others Everything a priority Diplomatically push back to get realistic goals and timelines

Management Style: Perfectionist

Values getting things done right with highest quality Requests do-overs Have others look over your work before handing it off Dont take it personally

Work Styles: Your Boss

Formal or informal? Briefed in writing or brainstorming? Energized or annoyed by sidebars? Hands on or regular, informal updates? Energized or avoids conflict? Decisive or open-ended?

Work Styles: You

Formal or informal? Briefed in writing or brainstorming? Energized or annoyed by sidebars? Hands on or regular, informal updates? Energized or avoids conflict? Decisive or open-ended?

Managing Up Speed Bars

Understand your bosss wants/needs Understand your wants/needs Agree to clear expectations Understand how you like to be managed Remember to deliver the good news Be appropriate but dont sugar-coat bad news Pick your battles and words carefully Help manage time yours and theirs You do have the power to make things better!

The Triggers
What sets your boss off? What are your bosss hot buttons? What does your boss do when a hot button is triggered? What sets you off? What are your hot buttons? What do you do when a hot button is triggered?

Some Advice from FYI

No loose lips Depersonalize and be neutral Learn from the situation Realize it could be you Careers are made and broken on adversity Face the boss Strike a bargain with yourself to do your best your career will continue past this boss

Keys to Managing a Rocky Boss Relationship

Work to leave behind the least amount of long-term noise for yourself and the organization. Keep your head down. Focus your communications with the boss on work-specifics. Think of five ways to accomplish anything and try them all! Access your network for performance help.

Putting it All Together: An Activity

1. Select one issue with your boss that, if resolved, will make your work life better 2. Diagnose your boss and diagnose yourself using work styles, management styles and triggers 3. Identify ways to manage up to resolve this issue 4. Identify one thing you can do immediately to resolve your boss issue