Yes boss? Navigating the manager-employee relationship

Positive workplace culture, in addition to job security and fair treatment, emerged as the key driver for employee retention in India, a report by human resources association SHRM suggests.

According to a BCG survey , one in four Indian professionals hope to make a job switch this year. And the key to retaining them? Managers, the survey suggests. Out of the 11,000 employees surveyed across eight countries, including India, 56% of the respondents were not satisfied with their current managers.?

And with more employees embracing artificial intelligence in the workplace, two out of three professionals in the country felt more comfortable having their performance evaluated by AI over their managers.?

These figures point to a significant gap in the employee-manager relationship. So, what challenges do professionals face, and how can they build an effective work relationship with their supervisors? In this article, we seek advice and suggestions from experts.?

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Take the lead

As is the case with every healthy relationship, the one between an employee and a manager is based on mutual respect and trust, digital mental health specialist and clinical psychologist Snigdha Samantray says.?

And building such a relationship takes effort, understanding, and proactive communication, says Animesh Kumar , President – HR and Transformation at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited.?

In his leadership experience spanning two decades, Kumar observed the impact of such bonds on the workplace dynamics. And the ones built on the foundation of mutual respect led to improved feedback and mentorship. “When you tap into your manager's wealth of experience and insights, you not only navigate obstacles more effectively but also seize opportunities for growth,” he says.?

The exchange works both ways. While efforts on the employee’s part enables managers to identify engagement methods that work, the relationship building process helps the employee learn more about the manager’s working style and foster a collaborative environment.?

“When there is mutual trust in your manager's leadership and intentions, you are more secure and it sets the stage for less stress, seamless teamwork, better ideation and a stronger sense of belonging and camaraderie,” Kumar adds.?

So, where do things go wrong??

Bring to a head

A lack of trust, unclear directions and vague goal-setting, and feeling undermined or undervalued are some challenges that employees often face while dealing with their managers, Samantray says.?

A survey by workforce management solutions provider UKG, Ultimate Kronos Group, found that 69% of respondents across 10 countries said that their managers had the same impact on their mental health as their spouses. Around 30% of the surveyed respondents spoke to their manager once a month, suggesting reasons that their manager may be too busy, or wouldn’t care to engage in a conversation.?

And according to Samantray, lack of regular catch ups is one of the reasons that results in a? disconnect. Here are some other reasons, according to her:?

??A lack of transparency that leads to assumptions and speculations.?

??Poor guidance or undefined goals matched with high expectations.?

??Feedback paired with criticism, devaluing, and sarcastic remarks.

??Unhealthy competition stemming from insecurity.?

??Not giving credit where it’s due.?

Having experienced multiple past situations where difference of opinion was overcome through collaboration, Vedansh Dubey says that decisions should be made based on overall consensus and keeping the company vision at the forefront.?

But when you are “dealing” with a situation instead of “collaborating,” it may be a sign that something is wrong, the Senior Executive HRBP at Wipro adds.?

And a strained relationship with a manager can be one of the most stressful work situations, Kumar says.?

Back to the drawing board

A survey by ADP Research Institute suggests that 76% employees in India report that stress has a negative impact on their work performance. And when it comes to mental health, more professionals feel unsupported by their managers, the survey adds.?

Tackling such a situation required a thoughtful and empathetic approach, according to Kumar. Reach out to your manager to discuss the issues and try to find a common ground, he suggests. Adopt a respectful tone with expressing your concerns, focus on solutions, and provide constructive feedback. “Instead of seeing a difficult boss as a roadblock, view it as an opportunity for personal growth and learning,” he says. If differences are irreconcilable, he encourages exploring alternate opportunities.?

To establish a strong relationship, the experts suggest the following insights:?

?? Keep the lines of communication open.

?? Understand your manager’s priorities, needs, and concerns.?

?? Share your progress regularly.?

??? Voice your concerns and issues and ask for feedback.?

?? Seek mentorship and tap into their knowledge.

?? Practice empathy.?

?? If things go south, substantiate your standing with data points and stay confident.?

?? Click here to read the previous special edition on skills-based hiring. ?

?? The reason for candidates opting to switch jobs is often due to their equation with their managers, recruitment specialist Tanvi Brahmbhatt shares. Read her insights in this post on how a toxic environment can affect professionals.?

?? How to increase your visibility at work and demonstrate your readiness for promotion? Goldman Sachs’s Lehar Bhandari shares some tips in this post .

• Pushback is good for managers. Disagreeing or challenging your supervisor can be tricky. Read this piece by LinkedIn’s Editor Taylor Borden on why it may actually work in your boss’s favour.?
• Leadership, your cuppa tea? Determine if you are cut out for a management position with these expert insights.
• How to give feedback to a manager? Think of your manager’s goals to align your suggestions when asked for feedback. Read this piece for more tips.

Keeping up with work during the initial period of a job can be challenging. But identifying your manager’s leadership style can help you set goals and ease into the process. In this brief course , Hire Horizon’s CEO Allison Peck covers various aspects of navigating and forging an effective work relationship with your manager.

This is the 27th edition of the biweekly newsletter from Get Hired by LinkedIn News India. Each issue aims to provide insights on everything jobs-related, combined with expert views and member voices.?

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By Dipal Desai — LinkedIn Editor covering jobs and career development in India

Associate Community Manager: Neha Upalekar