Hi, I am writing to seek some advice on how to handle a very difficult boss. I work in a very exciting field, Capital Markets, but in a very unattractive workplace ( A public Bank). My boss has worked here all her life, for 27 years. She is used to delegate nothing, neither teaching nor mentoring, or anything like that. All that she ask for is administrative work (photocopies, phone calls, and the likes). I spend most of my day doing staff chores. I am a professional, full of ambitions, that is having a really hard time trying to learn from her workplace and her boss. The country´s current situation is not making things easier, we are facing a three year recession, so, changing job is not a possibility right now. Any suggestions on how to get motivated or what to de to get more involved when your superior are not willing ?

-- Alex (yeminway@hotmail.com), August 16, 2001

Answers

Sounds kind of dismal, but you do have a say in your career. I remember similar thoughts in a former life. Let me share with you a few ideas that might give you some light to grow with:

1) Don't play the game by her rules. No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Whatever job you are given, do it with pizazz! Focus your energy on being creative, happy, and exceeding her expectations (and everyone else's). This not only helps you to gain a better perspective, but your achievements will draw attention from everyone you come in contact with. This is part of the preparations necessary to capture an opportunity when it appears.

2) Recognize your value. You seem to feel that you have no options, but to stay in this job. I can tell you from experience that one of the tactics of Bosses (as opposed to Leaders)is to suppress the ambitions and perceived potential of their staff. They don't realize it, but this effectively eliminates their own potential because Leaders rise on the support of their organizations. You have unique value. You can find opportunities. You can be ready for any opportunity that comes your way. You can set your mind on a goal and achieve it!

3) Try to understand your boss. I know this seems a bit over-the- top, but if you take an academic approach; read about organizational behaviors, develop your understanding of human relations, etc., you will begin to rise above the situation. You wil begin to see not only how to avoid the negative effects on yourself, you may discover methods or skills that will help you to work with your boss more effectively. This is difficult, but I have never seen a Boss who isn't personally very lonely and welcome to a friendly, non- threatening employee.

4) Develop a plan. Sit down and brainstorm ideas about how you can improve your situation. Settle on a few short term goals that meet the SMART test: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistically high, and Time-bound (has a due date). If you can visualize your goal, you can describe it. If you can describe your goal, you can break it into manageable pieces. With manageable pieces, you can take the action necessary to make your vision a reality. Vision without action is just a daydream.

You are not alone in this situation. Many people are feeling the pressure of a slow economy, and companies are pressed to increase performance with flat or declining resources. Yet, many companies fail to recognize their greatest resource in achieving their organizational directives...their people.

You are the answer to the mystery of your life. You have within yourself the potential to overcome every obstacle. Every great company has discovered their success by motivating people to great acts of daily work, always aware of the hidden potential of every person.

Don't let your Boss affect your greatest lifetime asset...your attitude!

Positively Yours, Bruce Eberle

'Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream, you can make it so.' -Belva Davis / Newscaster

-- Bruce Eberle (beberle@myavista.com), August 21, 2001.