The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Managing the boss

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 09, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Managing the boss

Staff Reporter

Bosses can be dictatorial or consultative

BANGALORE: Managing one's boss, though not always described in such terms, is a sure way to success in any organisation. One day you may even have to step into his or her shoes.

"Even team leaders have to learn the art of managing their boss. They could do well to remember that even a boss is answerable to someone, maybe the board of directors," says M.K. Rao, a one-time corporate HR head and now executive coach.

"You need to ask yourself, what do most bosses thrive on," he says. A sense of control is what most bosses thrive on. They want to feel they are passing down directions that are being carried out," says K. Panduranga, a management consultant who has studied the behavioural pattern of many senior executives.

Of course, bosses come in all types. A boss can be dictatorial, bureaucratic or charismatic. However, the best of them are consultative. You could have difficulties with their first two types as they expect immediate compliance with orders (right or wrong), and tend to be sticklers for rules. "The charismatic or consultative boss is one with whom you can build a closer relationship and generally get on better," says Mr. Rao. "Diagnosing your boss's leadership style helps in getting along better with him or her," he adds.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka