Understand your Boss and Execute a Plan to Deal with Analyzing Attitudes
A clear understanding of your boss is essential to career success. This means identifying his strong and weak points, as well as biases and blind spots.
Wise careerists do not leave such an understanding to chance. Instead they conduct an organized analysis and plan of action based on such questions as these:
What's the boss's background? How did he get to be boss? Earned his way up through the ranks? Nepotism? Qualifications for the position?
What are the biggest challenges the boss is dealing with? Major goals? Pressures on him?
Who are his allies and enemies in the organization? Does he reach out to build alliances with others in the organization? Does he zealously guard his turf?
Is he comfortable and confident in your presence? Does he see you as a threat?
Does he acknowledge your accomplishments? Does he share credits? How does he react when you receive recognition from others?
What irritates and angers him? What are his hot buttons?
Does he delegate responsibilities and authority? Once he gives make an assignment does he back off and let you do the job or is a controller?
Does he share or conceal information vital to your responsibilities? Does he trust you?
Does he help you to learn and advance toward your career goals?
What's the boss's style for providing directions? Makes suggestions? Sells the idea? Dictates? He is vague or specific?
How does he react when you question his decisions?
How does he handle stress?
Does he have major personnel problems? Does he try to get you involved?
What about his idiosyncrasies? What does he do that irritates you? Pleases you? Disappoints you?
How does your boss react to bad news? Denies it or tries to correct the problem?
Does he provide you with regular feedbacks on your performance? Conduct annual compensation reviews?Does he suggest changes in your performance and style?
Do you feel free making suggestions for improving your performance and that of the organization as a whole?
Are you comfortable in discussing your job satisfaction and your ambitions for your career path? How does he react when you seek more responsibility?
Do you believe he provides an even, well-considered approach to his role as boss? What are his biases and blindspots?
You'll be ahead of the competitors when you use the answers to these and like question to prepare a written profile of your boss, and lay out a plan for utilizing this information to enhance your career path. Do not share your analysis and plan with others.
