When your boss is a tool
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ELC Advisor Mike Figliuolo talks about one of his leadership maxims – Kick-Up and Kiss-Down in the ELC Lesson Creating Your Leadership Maxims – Part 3 Check out this lesson for more detail. (Membership required – Trial Membership Available).What do you do when your boss is doing the opposite of Kick-Up and Kiss-Down? Namely, Kissing Up with a focus on only communicating good news upwards and not challenging bad ideas, basically being a yes man.
Assuming you can’t immediately move to another environment, here are a few techniques:
- Give your boss what they need to do their thing. Always being at odds is counter-productive. Kick-Up works on your part only when there is a fundamental agreement on philosophy and direction. It’s confrontational otherwise.
- Don’t allow a vacuum to occur. Fill every gap with action. It’s harder for someone to undo work. If you’re doing the right thing it just might stick. If you do nothing you may be instructed to do something you don’t agree with.
- Expand your network but be careful who hears you vent.
Having a great boss may be a luxury. Not having a great boss shouldn’t hold you back.
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November 10, 2009 pm30 6:34 am
Honestly folks – your bosses are big boys and girls. They can handle your constructive criticism much more easily than your team members can. When the criticism/feedback comes from you to your boss, it’s non-threatening. Your team members, however, can become fearful with such direct feedback (“Am I going to get fired or put on a performance plan?”).
If you don’t give your boss the feedback they need to be successful, you’re only harming yourself and your team. You’re a leader for a reason – there’s no reason you can’t lead your boss as well!