[February 20, 2016] We’ve all seen it happen; you have more than one boss … one who gives you an order and it’s contradicted by someone else in your organization. Like a child with two parents and grandparents living at home, everyone is telling you what to do. Having too many bosses and how to handle it is fundamental to being a good follower and a good leader.
I’m fortunate to have known some wonderful people and their stories have helped me personally do well in my life and career. This is what friends and family are about. One such friend was a successful city manager in a large Texas city. The city had some of the most advanced city management techniques and a very progressively minded staff. But, to the dismay of my friend, the city’s leadership was composed of eleven councilpersons with deep political divisions. They took out their ideological differences on the city manager.
It becomes a test of the character of a person whenever in such circumstances. While there are no solutions that will make the situation go away there are a few ways to improve one’s lot when there are too many bosses. First, decisions must be made transparently and every one of the bosses must never be surprised that the decision is coming. Such is fundamental to overcoming the inherent difficulties of having too many bosses. Second, a positive personality, humor, credibility, and a reputation for hard work will also smooth the position of someone what has to report to different bosses. And third, the recognition that such a system of many bosses can be leveraged to expand the capability of that leader.
As leaders increase in responsibility, authority, and in rank (or position), it may seem surprising that they also are more likely to gain bosses. The military, like much of the civilian world, has the same propensity for this to happen. In the military there is only one boss; but the reality is that many senior leaders have multiple people who have influence and authority over them. As we mature as leaders this should come as no surprise and our experiences help provide us with the skill set and resilience to see ourselves through it. Some leaders are especially skilled at working for several bosses simultaneously.
The lesson for us is that it is expected that we will someday experience too many bosses and that the skills necessary to be successful in that circumstance is not unlike the traits needed to be a good leader.
[Don’t forget to like us on Facebook]