Managing Your Manager

1. Understand Your Boss's Type to Manage Them Effectively

"If there's one thing I've learned working for and observing many different bosses, it's that the right approach usually pays off in much more positive, productive relationships."

Know your market. Understanding your boss's type is crucial for managing up effectively. The six most common boss types are the Bully, the Good, the Kaleidoscope, the Star, the Scientist, and the Navel. Each type has distinct characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses that influence their management style and decision-making processes.

Tailor your approach. By identifying your boss's type, you can adapt your communication and work style to complement theirs. This understanding allows you to:

• Anticipate their reactions to different situations
• Frame your ideas and suggestions in ways they're more likely to accept
• Manage potential conflicts more effectively
• Capitalize on their strengths while mitigating their weaknesses

Recognizing that no boss fits perfectly into one category, use this framework as a starting point to develop a nuanced understanding of your manager's unique blend of traits and tendencies.

2. The Bully: Navigate Aggression and Deliver Results

"Limit the Pain, Target the Gain"

Manage emotions strategically. Bully bosses are aggressive, command-and-control types who can deliver great results but also take bad risks. They often use intimidation and anger to motivate their team. To work effectively with a Bully:

• Don't take their outbursts personally; understand it's their default mode under pressure
• Develop a thick skin and find humor in difficult situations when possible
• Be prepared with logical, concise arguments when challenging their ideas
• Deliver measurable, meaningful results consistently

Build respect through assertiveness. Bullies respect those who can stand up to them professionally. Demonstrate your value by:

• Being a reliable source of information and updates
• Developing expertise in areas the Bully lacks
• Handling tasks they dislike or aren't good at
• Displaying controlled assertiveness when necessary

3. The Good: Balance Stability with Personal Growth

"Coping with the Boredom"

Appreciate consistency. Good bosses are stable, calm, and communicative, but can be risk-averse and resistant to change. They create a safe, predictable work environment that can sometimes feel stagnant. To thrive under a Good boss:

• Meet modest objectives consistently
• Be transparent in your communication
• Propose challenging projects for yourself that don't disrupt the status quo
• Help widen their network and decode organizational politics

Create your own challenges. While the Good boss provides a stable work environment, it's up to you to drive your own growth:

• Seek out learning opportunities outside your immediate role
• Volunteer for cross-functional projects
• Develop skills in managing risk to complement your boss's cautious approach
• Take initiative in suggesting improvements, but frame them within the context of maintaining stability

4. The Kaleidoscope: Adapt to Power Dynamics

"Display Your Own Power Selectively and Strategically"

Understand power motivations. Kaleidoscope bosses are complex, shifting their persona to accumulate and consolidate power. They're extremely bright and business-savvy but can be difficult to know personally. To work effectively with a Kaleidoscope:

• Accept that you'll never truly know the "real" person behind the masks
• Display your own power selectively and strategically
• Be a reliable source of valuable information
• Prepare them for the roles they need to play in different situations

Navigate power plays. Kaleidoscopes respect those who can assert themselves without threatening their authority. To succeed:

• Choose your battles wisely; challenge only when you have a strong case
• Frame your ideas in terms of how they enhance the Kaleidoscope's power
• Seed ideas subtly rather than suggesting them directly
• Develop a keen understanding of organizational politics and power dynamics

5. The Star: Support Their Spotlight While Advancing Your Career

"Enjoy the Ride"

Embrace the drama. Star bosses are dynamic, dramatic, and action-oriented. They create excitement but can also be impulsive and demanding. To thrive under a Star:

• Enjoy the ride and the ringside seat to their performance
• Be a patient listener and supportive friend
• Respond quickly to their requests and ideas
• Provide post-game analysis that focuses on external factors, not their mistakes

Capitalize on opportunities. Stars can open doors and create unique learning experiences:

• Be prepared to work hard and fast when opportunities arise
• Learn from their ability to command attention and inspire others
• Develop your skills in quick thinking and adaptability
• Position yourself as a loyal, capable supporter who can handle their high-energy style

6. The Scientist: Leverage Their Expertise and Logic

"Enjoy the Intellectual Challenges"

Engage with theories and data. Scientist bosses are highly logical and reliant on theories and systems. They're open to feedback but can stubbornly stick to their beliefs. To work effectively with a Scientist:

• Engage fully in their theories and systems; enjoy the intellectual stimulation
• Provide logical, well-articulated arguments when suggesting changes
• Help impose order and discipline on their sometimes disorganized approach
• Translate their complex ideas for others in the organization

Balance theory and practice. While Scientists excel in analysis, they may struggle with practical implementation:

• Help bridge the gap between theory and practice
• Develop expertise in areas complementary to your boss's knowledge
• Be prepared to provide more precise direction when needed
• Recognize that their support, while valuable, may not be unconditional

7. The Navel: Manage Ego-Driven Behaviors Strategically

"Challenge Your Own Values"

Navigate self-centeredness. Navel bosses are driven by ego and self-interest. They can be charming and decisive but also ruthless and self-absorbed. To work effectively with a Navel:

• Accept that you're being manipulated and set emotional boundaries
• Communicate potential problems without making the Navel look or feel bad
• Use their hungry ego to manipulate them into doing the right thing
• Capitalize on their good ideas and execution skills

Protect yourself and add value. Working for a Navel requires strategic thinking:

• Don't depend on them to advance your career; make contingency plans
• Set clear limits on their intrusive behaviors
• Develop alliances with others in the organization
• Find ways to make the Navel look good that also benefit the team and organization

8. Situational Management: Tailor Your Approach to Events and Moods

"Tailoring Your Boss Management to Events, Moods, and Other Matters"

Adapt to circumstances. Different situations require adjusting your standard approach to managing your boss. Key situations to consider:

• Crisis situations
• Positive achievements
• Angling for a promotion
• Implementing risky but necessary ideas

Customize your tactics. For each situation and boss type, adjust your approach:

• During crises: Help Bullies take decisive action, support Stars in the spotlight, provide data for Scientists
• After achievements: Remind Bullies of your contribution, help Kaleidoscopes plan next moves, maximize Stars' moment in the sun
• When seeking promotion: Use indirect methods with Bullies, build a strong case for Good bosses, wait for the right moment with Kaleidoscopes
• For risky ideas: Prepare thorough arguments for Kaleidoscopes, appeal to Scientists' theories, focus on personal gain for Navels

9. Secondary Boss Types: Recognize and Respond Accordingly

"Many times, people have come up to me and described a boss that defied categorization."

Expand your repertoire. Beyond the six main types, recognize and adapt to secondary boss types:

• The Laisser-Aller: Set your own objectives and make contingency plans
• The Parent: Set clear limits and communicate what you need help with
• The Geek: Find effective modes of communication and capitalize on their expertise
• Number 2: Understand the real power dynamics and carve your own identity
• The Con Artist: Verify promises and ask probing questions

Develop a flexible approach. For bosses who don't fit neatly into categories:

• List their dominant personality traits in work settings
• Create a descriptive label based on these traits
• Determine what behaviors they value and what drives them crazy
• Adapt strategies from similar boss types to fit your unique situation

10. The Seventh Leader: Aspire to and Cultivate Ideal Leadership Qualities

"Seventh Leaders are capable of swallowing their pride and admitting they don't understand something or don't know how to do something."

Recognize ideal leadership. The Seventh Leader represents the pinnacle of managerial effectiveness, combining the best qualities of other types while minimizing their weaknesses. Key characteristics include:

• Great adaptability to different situations and people
• Willingness and ability to learn from their team
• Encouraging and truly absorbing feedback
• Balancing decisiveness with openness to others' ideas
• Authenticity and integrity that builds trust

Cultivate Seventh Leader qualities. Whether you're working for a Seventh Leader or aspiring to become one:

• Practice situational leadership, adjusting your style as needed
• Actively seek and seriously consider feedback from diverse sources
• Admit when you don't know something and be open to learning
• Balance giving direction with empowering your team to contribute
• Strive for authenticity and consistency in your words and actions

By understanding these key takeaways and applying them to your work relationships, you can significantly improve your ability to manage up, advance your career, and contribute to a more positive and productive work environment.

Last updated: July 23, 2024