29/05/2024
LENS VIEW:
MANAGING YOUR BOSS.
In my over 20 years of banking, I was privileged to work with different bosses - the good, the bad, and the ugly. In the passage of time, I also became a boss, and only God knows where my subordinates have classed me while I was with them.
In any case, my categorization is completely relative depending on my personal assumptions, which may not necessarily be the standard. Irrespective of the category my bosses fell into, they had their strengths and weaknesses; all of which have moulded me into the leader that I am now.
In 2021, I hypothesized that there are five elements in relationship management at the workplace. They include:
+ Respect
+ Loyalty
+ Communication
+ Performance and
+ Character.
While bosses (hierarchically) would place emphases on performance, character respect, communication, and loyalty, to build enduring, beautiful and lasting relationships with their subordinates, it is NOT likely to take the same order when managing your bosses.
Loyalty, respect, character, communication, and performance MUST be considered in these order in the management of your bosses. That is, if you want to stay long and be relevant where you work.
NOTE that all of these elements carry weights of explanations that I may not be able to do here. They were fully explained in my book, Business Unusual, and you can always reach me for a copy if you haven't.
Your bosses may not always be right in his thoughts and decisions, BUT the way and manner he or she is made to realise it is important. Also, the timing and circumstances are important considerations. Knowing them makes you invaluable and "unsackable" wherever
you find yourself.
On the other hand, bosses should know that they are not infallible and MUST intentionally build mechanisms that pull them back to the right track respectfully.
My name is Dr Festus Erewele (DFE), and I am worth listening to.
