Today’s average 21st-century workplace is, to put it mildly, not
your dear ol’ dad’s office. There are things like flex time,
telecommuting, e-mail and voice mail now.
Understand the culture: Today’s average 21st-century workplace is, to put it mildly, not your dear ol’ dad’s office. There are things like flex time, telecommuting, e-mail and voice mail now.
“There is a trend toward a more casual environment – less hierarchal interaction,” explains Laura Crawshaw, a self-proclaimed “boss whisperer” and author of “Taming the Abrasive Manager.”
Maybe you’re even one of the fortunate ones – you actually like and get along well with your supervisor. You spend coffee breaks together, hang out on weekends and sometimes even share secrets.
What that often means, Crawshaw says, is a blurred line between employee and boss.
Even so, she advises, employees should maintain a sense of decorum.
If Casual Friday happens all week, for instance, fine, go ahead and wear your sneakers and favorite (clean) T-shirt. But it’s still better to err on the side of caution.
“Casual is good as long as respectful conduct is maintained,” she says.
Nicole Woolsey Biggart, dean of the University of California-Davis’ Graduate School of Management, agrees.
“Unless you’re indispensable, play it safe,” Biggart says. “Until you really know the culture and the players, you should act conservatively.”
That’s why it really should go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: The office is never, ever, ever a place for sex jokes, bad hygiene, rude behavior or mean gossip – updates on Britney Spears excepted.
And, oh yeah, remember to always use your Inside Voice.
Pace your boss
OK, so let’s say – just for kicks – that your boss shows up to work at 11 a.m. (Yeah, we wish.) Is it cool for you to do the same?
Pretty much, says John McKee, a business success coach based in Thousand Oaks, Calif. It’s all about following the standards set by your supervisor, he explains.
“If your boss is prone to coming in early or staying late, you should be there when (he or she) is there,” McKee says. “Let them see you have the same work ethic. That’s not brown-nosing. If your boss is successful (because of) your contributions, then he or she may give you more resources.” (Or a bigger raise.)
It’s also important to understand your boss’ idea of office etiquette. Does he or she want to be invited along on that Starbucks run? Included in the morning “Dancing With the Stars” recap, or named first in the e-mail CC field? (Yes, some people do look.)
Figuring out such details can make your job go more smoothly, Biggart says, but also remember that function over form is equally important.
“There was a time when companies were more concerned about form and process and who was CC’d on a memo,” she says. “Now companies are a lot more results-oriented. How you address someone on a memo isn’t as important.”
Speak up, stand up
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to blend into the scenery, McKee says.
“There’s no room for wall-flowers,” he says. “Self-promotion is particularly important when bosses have a bigger span of control and responsibilities.”
And no, that doesn’t mean you have to brag. Instead, learn how to – gracefully – point out your accomplishments.
One of the best ways to do so, McKee says, is to put it in writing.
“Tell your supervisor, ‘I know you’re busy so why don’t I send an e-mail telling you what I’m working on and what I’ve done?'” McKee says. “Bosses love that kind of thing.”
Savvy employees also need to know how to handle any conflicts that may arise with a supervisor.
No one should have to put up with an abusive manager, Crawshaw says.
“In the old days, a boss could behave as they chose and there weren’t many consequences,” she says. “These days, it’s a different environment – companies can’t afford to retain abrasive bosses because they’ll lose valuable employees.”
So, if you do find yourself with a boss-from-you-know-where?
“Figure out why that person is so difficult to work for,” Biggart says. “You need a diagnosis – is that person neurotic, going through a divorce or some other kind of stress?”
If that doesn’t work, turn to your human resources department for intervention, she says.
“Just don’t turn a blind eye to the problem,” Crawshaw says. “The myth is that we should all like each other, but you do have the right to work in a professional environment.”
Celebrate a good boss
But if, lucky you, you do have the World’s Best Boss? Show it – but show some restraint.
“The boss usually has the perks of the position,” Biggart says. “But it’s still always nice to say ‘thank you’ to someone who’s gone out of their way to help or mentor you.”
A nice note should do the trick.
“I wouldn’t go out and buy the Rolex watch,” Crawshaw says. “But if the boss is doing something right, this is an opportunity to reinforce their behavior and show your appreciation.”
Yes, it is sort of like training a puppy, Crawshaw says.
“If they’re doing something right, why not feed them a biscuit?”
fictional bosses
Maybe you can’t change your boss without changing your job, but you can at least dream of a world where supervisors recognize your achievements and lavish you with generous bonuses.
Or, you can just change the channel.
Through the years, television has given us some of the best – and worst – bosses. Here’s our list of our five favorites, and the five we would hate to run into in the lunchroom.
LOVE ‘EM
1. Michael Scott, “The Office”
He’s bumbling, insecure and often inappropriate but, that said, pretty much everyone over at Team Dundler Mifflin (except for, maybe, Toby in H.R.) knows that Michael Scott (Steve Carell) loves his employees. Heck, he even sticks up for Dwight, and didn’t he organize a charity “fun run” for Meredith after he hit her with his car? Now, that’s compassionate leadership.
2. Lou Grant, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Lou Grant”
Cranky but still caring and wise – whether Lou (Ed Asner) is barking out orders at sweet MTM or navigating the ethical ins-and-outs of journalism, we do love cantankerous (pretend) editors.
3. Liz Lemon, “30 Rock”
New(ish) on the job and trying to herd a chaotic crew, Lemon (Tina Fey) aces one of the keys to success (for bosses and underlings alike): Act like you know what you’re doing even when you totally don’t know what you’re doing.
4. Sherman T. Potter, “M*A*S*H”
Head of the 4077th, Sherman T. Potter (Harry Morgan) was a no-fuss commander who led by example, treated others fairly and understood the benefits of a late-afternoon cocktail.
5. Daniel Meade, “Ugly Betty”
Sure, there’s that whole troubling sex addiction thing, but then again, Daniel (Eric Mabius) gave Betty a great “bonus” – tickets to Mexico to help with her father’s immigration problems, the perfect gift for the most awesome Administrative Professionals Day, ever.
LEAVE ‘EM
1. Michael Scott,
“The Office”
Oh Michael, Michael, Michael – blow-up dolls are so not cool in the workplace. Neither are, for starters, jokes about race, sex, age or weight. Oh, and no more office hanky-panky with your ex-boss-turned-girlfriend either. Seriously, ewwww.
2. Tony Soprano, “The Sopranos”
If you’re living in deathly fear of your annual job review with Mafia don Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), then it’s probably time for a career change. And maybe an out-of-state move, new name and some plastic surgery, too.
3. Montgomery Burns, “The Simpsons”
Heartless, greedy and exceptionally ugly, Mr. Burns (voiced by Harry Shearer) makes Ebenezer Scrooge seem downright lovely.
4. Ari Gold, “Entourage”
Angry, abrasive, abusive – Hollywood super agent Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) redefines the concept of Type A Personality.
5. Wihelmina Slater, “Ugly Betty”
As Mode magazine’s scheming creative director, Wilhelmina Slater (Vanessa Williams) is as self-absorbed, evil and Botoxed as she is gorgeous and beautifully accessorized.
