My department manager has stopped sharing information with me. I
used to be able to point out the flaws in her thinking, but now she
keeps all her plans to herself.
Q:
My department manager has stopped sharing information with me. I used to be able to point out the flaws in her thinking, but now she keeps all her plans to herself. Even though I am older and more experienced, she ignores my suggestions and seems to want to control everything.
This woman thinks she’s a good leader, but I’ve told her to her face that she’s a micromanager. I am finding it increasingly difficult to even sit in a meeting with her. How should I handle this problematic boss?
A:
Your manager might be problematic, but you seem to have some problems of your own. You are apparently engaged in an ongoing power struggle with her, which is most unwise. People who declare war on their boss usually lose in the long run.
One likely cause of your current predicament is your desire to “point out the flaws in her thinking.” On top of that, you have made disparaging remarks about her leadership style. Has it occurred to you that this constant fault-finding might make you the last person she is likely to consult?
You may have the benefit of age and experience, but your manager has the benefit of being the boss. Even if she is woefully incompetent, she still has the power to accept or reject your ideas. If you want her to value your expertise, you must stop viewing her as the enemy and start turning her into an ally.
To become a trusted adviser, you will need to balance constructive criticism with appreciation and support, so begin looking for your manager’s positive traits.
If you want her to change her attitude toward you, you will first need to change your attitude towards her.
Q:
My friend “Sarah” works in a medical office where most staff members are very politically conservative. The owner plays right-wing talk shows all day on the office radio and places conservative magazines in the lobby and treatment rooms.
Sarah feels strongly that her boss should not be imposing his views on the patients. She tries to hide his political magazines at the bottom of the stack, but he always puts them back on top.
Some patients have told Sarah that they are offended by this blatant partisanship and plan to find another treatment center. How can she persuade the owner that a medical practice should be politically neutral?
A:
I agree that political proselytizing seems out of place in a medical setting. However, Sarah’s boss clearly has a different opinion. Since he owns the business, he has every right to make the media selections for his office, even if he alienates some customers in the process.
If the owner doesn’t realize that patients with opposing views are going elsewhere, then Sarah might share their feedback with him. But if she values her job security, she will tread very carefully when discussing politics with her highly opinionated boss.
