How to Take Advantage of a Bad Boss – Jocko Willink
How to succeed if your supervisor is busy
Consider taking the following actions to support your own success as an individual if your manager consistently appears to be preoccupied with other tasks and is rarely available to assist you in your role:
1. Understand your own goals
Working with a busy manager will increase your chances of success if you are fully aware of your immediate and long-term professional objectives. If your manager sees that you’re a driven and passionate person who is willing to invest energy back into their team, they may be more likely to invest their time and energy into you. Consider your role’s plans as well as your long-term career objectives within the company.
Find ways to link your professional aspirations to the team’s mission, and discuss your ideas with your manager. You can establish mutual professional respect once you clearly state your professional objectives and discuss with your manager the type of assistance you need from them to better realize your career goals. If your manager is aware that your plans are in line with the team’s mission, even though they may still be busy, they might be more motivated to find time for you.
2. Make a list of what you need
Make a list of the resources and assistance you would like from your manager, then consider how having those resources would help you produce better work. A busy manager frequently waits for team members to ask before offering their assistance, whereas more hands-on managers may be able to meet with you to determine how to best support you. Knowing exactly what you require can make it simpler for your manager to assist you when they do have some free time.
3. Pay attention to your managers schedule
Examine the working practices of your managers and look for patterns in their schedules. You can choose the best time to speak with them by being aware of their busiest and slowest times at their desk. While your manager might dismiss your request for a talk right away, if you try to approach them in the middle of a project, you might have more luck when the day is quiet. The best way to get one-on-one time with someone is to approach them in between appointments if you have access to their calendar.
4. Seek advice from colleagues first
Before approaching your supervisor with a problem, try talking to your team members and other coworkers. Your manager may appreciate your initiative if you solve problems on your own and use the resources you have available before asking for help if they are overburdened with administrative and supervisory duties. When your manager is unavailable, ask your teammates for their go-to strategies, resources, and methods for problem-solving.
5. Be proactive about requesting meetings
Organize meetings yourself if your manager doesn’t make time for you. Although scheduling regular meetings is ideal, even a brief check-in meeting once in a while can help you receive essential instructions and make sure you’re fulfilling their expectations for your role. To ensure that your manager sees your requests, utilize the technological tools at your disposal and send official meeting invitations via a calendar app.
6. Mention your successes
When your boss is too busy to actively give you feedback, it’s possible that they aren’t observing your regular behaviors. Making sure your manager recognizes your contributions and accomplishments is a crucial component of working successfully.
During check-ins, performance reviews, and even group meetings, emphasize accomplishments and discuss career advancement. This demonstrates to your manager your capacity to excel and manage additional duties in your career.
7. Look for subtle feedback
It’s important to watch out for other indications of your performance because your manager might not take the time out of their day to give you verbal feedback and praise. Lack of criticism, especially from a busy manager, can be advantageous. Your performance in your position may also be indicated if your manager requests your assistance with one of their assignments.
8. Find another mentor
It’s critical to find another mentor if your manager isn’t accommodating your requests for meetings and access to resources. You can look for someone at work or by contacting another expert in your field. Find a person who is free to talk about your concerns with you and to teach you new techniques for your line of work.
You can join a professional association to network with knowledgeable individuals in your field, or you can ask your coworkers about other department members who might want to mentor you.
Can you be successful if your boss doesn’t have time for you?
Many people look to their direct manager for guidance and mentorship when they want to advance in their careers, but you can use a variety of resources to help you when your boss is busy.
You can create your own opportunities for success if you’re proactive about asking for help and investing in your own career. Even if your manager is unable to offer you the ideal level of hands-on support, networking with others and speaking up for yourself in the workplace can help you create a positive work environment for growth.
Tips for working with a busy manager
Here are some pointers you can use to increase your success at work when collaborating with a busy manager:
FAQ
How do I succeed if my boss doesn’t have time for me?
- Manage up. Walker advises managing up if your boss seems to be too busy for you.
- Study your boss’s habits. Your boss might be a workaholic.
- Diary meetings. …
- Be prepared. …
- Find another source of feedback or advice.
How do you get time with a busy boss?
- Frame your request by focusing on the benefits for your boss and pique their interest.
- Learn more about their assistant because they could be a useful resource for helping you get on your boss’s calendar.
How do you know if your boss doesn’t value you?
- They don’t respect your PTO. …
- They don’t ask for your input. …
- They don’t give constructive feedback. …
- They don’t provide you with the tools or encouragement you need to succeed.
- They don’t pay you fairly. …
- They don’t respect your work-life balance. …
- They don’t share project outcomes.
Why is my boss not giving me hours?
Employers cut hours for a variety of reasons. This could be due to the fact that the role you perform is no longer required as a full-time position or because they need to better manage their budget and, as a result, need to reduce some employees’ hours.
What do you do when your boss is not responsive?
- Recognize that you’ll need to pressure your manager to schedule a meeting so you can talk about your project.
- Tell him why it’s crucial that this matter is resolved for you and the department.
- Give him a list of the questions you want to ask in advance so he has time to prepare responses.
What bosses should not do?
- Don’t Manage With “Death by Policy” …
- Don’t Anger Easily. …
- Don’t Bother Your Employees on Their Off Time/Family Time. …
- Don’t Misrepresent Truth. …
- Don’t Criticize Publicly or Praise Privately. …
- Don’t Put Yourself First.
