Boss problems? Don’t Leave, Train Your Manager!
We all have experienced it at one time or another, the stifling hand of a manager who just can’t seem to leave you alone to work one your project. They are just around the corner asking for another meeting or status report every time you start making progress. It’s easy to get discouraged in this scenario, many young professionals will immediately begin looking for another job or asking for another position but, what if you like your job and you don’t want to move? Can you train your manager?
Many managers would balk at the idea of being trained by the subordinates, not necessarily because they don’t think they have areas of improvement but, because we have been conditioned to think that the only real management learning comes from expensive training courses and prestigious MBA programs. Think about it for a second though, one of the most valued aspects of any employee or job applicant is their experience. What if you could change your manager’s experience and in turn, their behavior?
So how can you flip the tables on your manager and train them in a way that will ultimately improve your workplace as a whole? Behavioral modeling, marginal rebellion and collaboration.
Behavioral modeling
The first step towards changing the way your manager treats you is to show them how you want to be treated. We all have heard the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, the same applies when you are working to improve your manager’s methods. In the case of micro-management, make sure you aren’t overburdening your teammates with administrative tasks, only invite those who are needed to meetings and highlight these actions and their benefits to your boss in status meetings! By setting the pace, it challenges your boss to follow suit and realize the benefits your are experiencing.
Marginal Rebellion
This step is trodding on thin on ice but, you need to beat your fear and propose new ideas for things to change. In your one-on-ones with you manager (not in front of others, rebelling in front of your manager and their team will only make matters worse), propose the consolidation of meetings, reduce status meetings and other ideas that will improve your manager’s approach. These proposals show your willingness to change the status quo. When your manager sees the benefits of your proposals, it will reflect positively on you well encouraging a behavior change on his part.
Collaboration
Yes, I know everyone talks about the power of collaboration but, it is even more crucial when you are trying to change the behavior of someone with more authority than yourself. You can make an impact but, imagine the the power of collaborating with your managers other direct reports. I am not saying pull a Dwight Schrute and attempt to go over your manager’s head, I am encouraging you to engage your coworkers in the behavioral modeling and marginal rebellion. Anything that could be viewed as mutiny should be avoided at all costs but, cooperation on the effort to train your manager can improve your working environment regardless of the level of impact on your manager.
This process can be delicate. When in doubt, put yourself in your managers shoes and analyze your actions. Don’t do anything you would be offended by as a manager. If you use this litmus test and keep the best of intentions, training your manager can be a learning process that improves your working environment.
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Tags: Change, IT, Management, Train, Training, Young Professional, Young Professionals
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Like I wrote...
April 8th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Brandon-
This post is speaking to me! Very insightful– Thanks for the tips!
April 8th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I’ve seen it work with my own boss, not so much in initiating changes in the company, as in the way we interact. If I have a positive can-do attitude, he treats me like I can do a lot more things and is willing to hand me more responsibility.
April 8th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Good points, I can’t stand when my boss is using verbal or non-verbal mind-tricks to try and leverage himself. I mean, I know this guy, and he can’t stand when his boss… There’s a very similar article in this month’s Fast Company on training your boss to behave - check it out to get your mind right for another week at the office - Your Boss is a Monkey
April 11th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
As a CIO of a growing midsize business, and having come up through the ranks, I am well aware of attempts to “train” or “manage” me. Now, because I’ve been in IT long enough to remember dumb terminals, I’ve seen plenty of things and people pass through, so don’t think this is all new.
My only real requirement is, if you think something can be improved, something is going wrong, or you have some great idea, call me and make an appointment. I’ll make the time to hear you out. Bounce it off me and I’ll give honest feedback. If you haven’t thought and planned it through carefully, you will be sent back to your desk to rethink it. If it’s one of those “it sounds so cool” ideas, you may be finding yourself doing field support in Anchorage in December, depending on how hair-brained it is.
Just be direct and talk to me. Any attempt to “train”, “manage” or otherwise manipulate me will be dealt with harshly.