Secrets to uncover about your boss...
When I'm working with my individual clients I often ask them what they know, understand and appreciate about their boss. The answers that I receive are frequently rather vague. This is unfortunate as the evidence points to the fact that most of us work best with people we know, understand and appreciate.
So here are some of the dozen or so questions that I have found to be valuable in understanding "my boss".
- What vision does my boss have for our organisation…?
- Stands for these values first and foremost…?
- Biggest current pressure…?
- Tends to handle pressure by…?
- Preferred method and speed of sharing information…?
- Best boss that my boss has ever worked for…?
- Expectations of me when there is a problem…?
- Will not compromise when it comes to…?
- Considers a great day at work to be…?
- Passion outside of work…?
- Has as a blind spot about…?
- Thinks I am great at…?
The other key question of course is... "on what basis is my boss remunerated?". If you are clear about what the answers are (or would be) then you are off to a great start with your boss. If you don't know the answers - do some gentle probing and reflection. Naturally the other question to ask is to what extent would your team know the answers if they were to ask the same questions of you?
David Howells is a Leadership Coach with Kiddy International based in London with an interest in global leadership transitions.