How annoying is it when your boss constantly tells you how to do your job, or even worse, when he tries to tell your employees how to do theirs, bypassing you altogether. It is very hard to stay motivated or focused when you have someone standing over your shoulder. And it is difficult to manage others when they are think someone higher up is looking at them. So how can you get your boss off your back AND get them to listen to what you have to say?
Step One: Get your act together!
Take a look at your work and be sure there is not a reason your boss is micromanaging you. Are you really doing a good job? Do you meet deadlines without reminders, achieve targeted results each month, communicate well with others, and bring new ideas or processes to the table? If you are doing these things, you can move onto Step Two. If your job is questionable, fix yourself before you fix the situation with your boss.
Take some time to define the support you need from your boss to get your job done. What funding do you need approved? What support do you need from other departments or other organizations? What structural changes would you like to make to support your employees? Overall, define what new, innovative ideas you can you drive forward to improve your company, and outline what can your boss do to support you in making those ideas a reality. Formalize this into a presentation.
Step Three: Have a formal, open discussion with your boss!
Set up a meeting with your boss and present him with your ideas. Discuss your vision for your job and/or your department. Talk to him about your role and the support you need to succeed. Discuss your employees and what you would like to do to support their success and the role you would like your boss to play in that. Basically, set the tone for a new relationship, the one you want to have with your boss.
By leading this dialog, you are putting yourself back in charge and refocusing your boss’s perception of your role. The more you are leading the relationship forward, the less your boss is going to get involved because it will be obvious that he is not the one in charge of your world. He will also know that you are treating him like your boss…asking for his opinion; his help. This should change the entire dynamic between the two of you.
I hope you are able to test out these concepts and share your results with us. Others can benefit from your ideas and experiences. Good luck!
Written by Lisa Woods, President ManagingAmericans.com
Lisa is a successful entrepreneur, world-class marketing strategist, and dynamic business leader with more than 20 years experience leading, managing and driving growth. Throughout her career, Lisa has been influential in integration techniques, organizational and cultural overhauls, financial turnarounds and developing employees into exceptional leaders, results driven managers and passionate team contributors.
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