Managing the Boss!

[Gucci]

Having spent a few weeks at my new job, some interesting patterns have emerged. Firstly, he is a very successful man with a company expanding where so many are failing = doing something right.

He is an intimidating figure (physically and mentally) and does not hold back his comments.

He wants to expand further, but needs good people to do it. He's asked me to be part of that team. Having discussed my role to my team members who have worked for him for years (leaving and returning in that time) they have said many, many people have been brought in to help expand, but left as they found it difficult to work for him. The existing team are petrified of him...this affects their work.

I can see where to help...especially having got so much background information..but how to approach constructively. After all, I believe he can only prosper from a happier team.

 

[Ade B]

Having spent a few weeks at my new job, some interesting patterns have emerged. Firstly, he is a very successful man with a company expanding where so many are failing = doing something right.

He is an intimidating figure (physically and mentally) and does not hold back his comments.

He wants to expand further, but needs good people to do it. He's asked me to be part of that team. Having discussed my role to my team members who have worked for him for years (leaving and returning in that time) they have said many, many people have been brought in to help expand, but left as they found it difficult to work for him. The existing team are petrified of him...this affects their work.

I can see where to help...especially having got so much background information..but how to approach constructively. After all, I believe he can only prosper from a happier team.

Your not at a certain NW5 agency are you?

Ade

 

[bigstuff]

he sounds like a strong leader with strong views dont exspect a pat on the back for telling him how to do his job

 

[Mudster]

The existing team are petrified of him...this affects their work.

This is a big problem in the long run and if not addressed will be his downfall, motivating people by fear does not lead to productivity only conflict.

If you get along with him well enough to actually explain this, or alternatively act as a buffer between his personality and that of his staff you may be the piece in the jigsaw that makes it all work.

You need to be very strong willed and outspoken yourself to make it work, if you feel you couldn't talk openly to him on an equal footing I'd say it's a non starter. Tough call, I know this type of person very well.

 

[bolide]

Maybe turn this around and ask whether you're going to get what you want out of it. That might make the question easier to answer

 

[Gucci]

Your not at a certain NW5 agency are you?

Ade

Nah....are there more bosses about like this then?!! A dangerous breed

 

[scumbag]

does he need a team, or can he do it by himself?


Should be a simple answer to that, so ask him. If he says he needs a team, tell him what needs changing to make it work! If he doesn't like it, ask him why he doesn't like it. After all, a team required more than one.

The best bosses let the best staff get on with their work and every should reap the rewards.

The fact he may be intimidating does not mean he can't take advice!


Or try to get several ideas out in the open and see if he picks the one you want him to pick!

 

[mattc]

Dont be too impressed by his success (I am sure lots of people thought the chiefs at Enron, WorldCom, leaders of any bank thats been making loads for the last 10 years on dodgy debt were the D's B's too - things are not always what they seem are they?)

Whilst you can see what needs to be done to help in your area does the boss actually WANT to grow? Because that inevitably means letting go of things - and yes, they can go wrong. Is he the sort to let this happen or will you be undermined almost from the outset (if that happens there will be only one outcome - you leaving).

My gut instinct from what you have posted makes me think you know this will end in tears. Perhaps linked to this why did so many of his staff leave only to return ? (i have done this once myself but it was the business and the product I loved; not the succession of identikit corporate managers that seduced me back). Have you investigated this aspect more deeply?

 

[Ade B]

How high up the food chain is said Boss, talking to middle management is a different thing to talking to a company director?


Ade

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If you get along with him well enough to actually explain this, or alternatively act as a buffer between his personality and that of his staff you may be the piece in the jigsaw that makes it all work.

Sounds like a good opportunity if you believe you can make the relationship work. As Mudster points out if you can be a firebreak between him and his team, you may find you can improve the performance of the team which could then buy you some added credibility with him, whereby he may actually begin to forget about that stuff and leave it to you to sort in entirety.

You could always offer some positive spin - you focus on how we building your business, and I'll focus on how together we get the most out of our team which will enable us to do it.

I chose words carefully there - he sounds like he'd react to anything that would suggest it's other than his business, by the same token you need to so the seed that you personally can take some of the burden from him, and hence the team become a combined "our" - they work for his company, but you lead them.

 

[Satch]

Your man sounds like a very well well known breed: the Corporate Psychopath.

http://www.softpanorama.org/Social/Toxic_managers/communication_with_corporate_psychopaths.shtml

Main trait is overbearing belief in their qualities of own leadership. However unable to distinguish between true leadership (maturity, decisiveness, assertiveness, co-operation, trust, integrity) and what is not much more than bullying (immaturity, impulsiveness, aggression, manipulation, distrust, deceitfulness)

 

[Gucci]

Just an update...3 month review was just outstanding. I get on really well with him and he's been full of appreciative praise. He also gave me a healthy pay rise. I walked into his office and shook his hand...all worked out then :bannana: