From the category archives:

Boss Management

What is the best method of communicating with your unavailable boss?

by Lynn Dessert

“When is it appropriate to handle issues by e-mail versus in person? Some people are very busy and don’t have time to sit and talk.” This is a follow up question from a reader on this recent post.
I wrote back to ask some questions about whether or not they were the boss or subordinate, here [...]

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To Socialize or Not

by Robert Whipple

I am often asked by students if it is a good or bad idea for a leader to socialize with subordinates outside of work. There are a lot of tradeoffs, and this is a complex question. I break down the variables in this article.
It is often a quandary for leaders to know whether to socialize [...]

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Moving from Pawn to Player with the Boss

by Lynn Dessert

Question: I am a Vice President of Sales & Marketing in a niche market with growth potential. I joined the company a little over a year ago. The CEO joined the company about three months ago.
Earlier this year, the organization decided to impose a 20% wage reduction by going to a four-day workweek instead of [...]

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Choosing an Enemy Over an Ally

by Lynn Dessert

Friend or foe, which is a better choice for someone on your team? It might be your foe according to Robert Greene who wrote The 48 Laws of Power.
Law 2: Never put too much trust in friends, learn how to use enemies
Be wary of friends – they will betray you more quickly, for they are [...]

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Personal Power: Should You Outshine Your Boss?

by Lynn Dessert
The 48 Laws of Power

Power is not the root of all evil. There are many lessons from history which help us to understand human nature better and how it works to our benefit. Some might call it manipulation; others may see it as perfecting the art of persuasion. It really is just about personal power.

The 48 Laws of Power [...]

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Is this a Wimpy or Understanding Boss?

by Lynn Dessert

Have you ever worked for a wimpy boss? It is a great question to ask. You never know what kind of response you will get. Some people take the question literally and then others enter into self-reflection.
The man sitting next to me owns a business. I would peg him in his 50’s, medium height with [...]

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Boss Did Something Wrong – What Now?

by Lynn Dessert

Your boss just did something wrong. What do you do? Report them, ignore it, or talk to them? The answer may depend on a number of factors.
Severity
What the boss did or did not do may make the difference. If the action breaks the law or goes against a company policy (especially one where termination is a potential outcome), it is best not to approach the boss directly. In these situations, talk with an independent party – someone who is not directly affected by the incident. This may be

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Intolerable or Wimpy Boss? Make A Decision

by Lynn Dessert
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You think or you know you have a wimpy or intolerable boss. Frustrated and at your breaking point; what do you do? There are a number of different options available to someone facing this situation.

Find another job and quit
Quit on the spot without another job
Transfer to another location or department and leave the problem for [...]

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InBox OutBox Boss Dilemma

by Lynn Dessert
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“Why does not my boss just do what she’s suppose to?” sighs Alicia.
She is always procrastinating important decisions and it causes creates a lot more work for me and everyone else.”
Alicia is an executive assistant to a Vice President of Technology in a large organization. In her role, she is responsible to juggle the boss’s [...]

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It’s Not About the Employee

by Lynn Dessert
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If you work in the retail industry, chances are you have experienced a boss who finds it difficult to discipline employees who show up late or skip work entirely. Janice is an assistant manager in a large drug store chain. She’s been working for her boss for the last three years along with a couple [...]

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