Posted under Career Management on April 22nd, 2008
People frequently respond to the question “Why did you leave your job?” with “My boss is a …” “The company strategy is. (fill in the blank with an appropriate expletive). And while the extent to which this is true is probably exaggerated, given the challenges of today’s work life, the dynamics between staff and strategy has become more intense, with less margin for error. The fact is fighting about a process or philosophy or “principle” is simply not worth it unless a fundamental business issue is at stake, such as a customer issue, product quality, safety or revenue implications. Unfortunately many people are severely limited, because their skills and experience create situations in which success is tied with survival rather than growth. This is manifested through efforts to encourage change from a weak position to influence events.Employees are encouraged to move forward cautiously, always from a positive perspective. Suggest that there may be a better approach with constructive suggestions, backed up with supportive evidence. A substantive suggestion, backed up with hard data and delivered with tact may make headway. Yet, armed with more powerful analytical tools can increase leverage in making impact. The second problem, incompatible work styles, is the trickiest, because it can create tensions for which there is no good solution. People have different work styles, approach decision-making in different ways, view risk differently and deal with stress another way. The point is these differences can be the foundation of major frustration on both sides. Unfortunately, as a result of this incompatibility, conflict is likely, unless addressed. And we know the outcome. First, recognize there is a problem. If you get frustrated by the amount of time you spend in seemingly unproductive meetings, remember your boss thinks it is important. If time management is an on-going problem, take a look at how you get work done. If the teams you are on seem to always get bogged down and unproductive, take an honest look at how you might be contributing to the problem. Think about why your good ideas generate little or no positive response. Try to understand why it is so difficult to get your bosses attention. Take a look at how the manager approaches problems and makes decisions, manages people, time and other resources. Think about whether you are cooperating or fighting. Understand clearly the key goals. You may be inadvertently working at cross purposes to organization goals and not even know it. If you don’t even know what are the key goals and what issues are of greatest concern, you are just not contributing as a team player. And that is the kiss of death. The fact is survival depends on your supporting your manager’s priorities, even if you disagree. You and your boss may have irreconcilable differences in which case you need to make sure your resume is updated and your network is in tact. If not, some honest introspection and adaptation to reality is needed.
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