Sometimes your boss will be a true Extension (or maybe a Praetorian) of the Superior. You can generally spot this because there will appear to be a natural relationship between the two, without any of the curious or artificial giveaway-behaviours of the other types. Again, Maos, Thatchers and Saddams are most likely to have Lieutenants. This can be very good news. If you are nicely ensconced as a Praetorian of your boss, and that same or similar relationship applies up the chain, you are likely to find yourself brought into contact with the Superior in a positive way, and possibly even begin to be treated as an Extension of the Superior instead of just your boss: promotion is just a stratagem away
Showing posts with label saddam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label saddam. Show all posts
How your Boss talks to his/her Superior: #6 - The Agent-on-Earth
Sometimes your boss will quite clearly be a Loyalist of the Superior, charged with finding out what is actually going on. This is particularly likely if the Superior is a Thatcher or Mao. It is also possible with Saddams, in which case you are safe enough if the Agent-on-Earth is your direct boss, but be very careful otherwise not go give any information away.
Their mission on earth is not to achieve anything, but to try and find out what is actually going on: always a serious problem for Superiors (because no one ever wants to tell them anything bad). In the presence of the Superior, the Agent-on-Earth will often be the minute-taker of the meeting, or the guy who prepared the agenda, or worst-of-all, the guy passing notes and periodically taking the lead in questioning. Look out for situations where this has clearly been set up in advance.
Their mission on earth is not to achieve anything, but to try and find out what is actually going on: always a serious problem for Superiors (because no one ever wants to tell them anything bad). In the presence of the Superior, the Agent-on-Earth will often be the minute-taker of the meeting, or the guy who prepared the agenda, or worst-of-all, the guy passing notes and periodically taking the lead in questioning. Look out for situations where this has clearly been set up in advance.
Don't make a fool of yourself
The instruction “do not make a fool of yourself” appears obvious. Clearly, don’t make yourself look stupid. However there is a more subtle side to this. Only with the Hitler and the Krushchev is there any mileage in trying to make yourself look good.
With all other types, they will ignore/forget if you say something intelligent, but notice and maybe even remember if you say something foolish. Because of the potential difference in grade/perspective/age between you and them, what appears intelligent to you may well appear foolish in their eyes. It is very easy to chip in a pert remark in a meeting, only to find all eyes focussed on you while the Superior in question expresses an alternative view which makes your remark look extremely naïve.
Be extra careful with the Thatcher, who will follow up the foolishness, and with the Saddam who may well simply order your execution afterwards (or in corporate speak, become a block to your chances of promotion within the next decade or two).
This leads on to a related point. Superiors are unlikely to be directly involved in any discussions about your pay, grade or general opportunities. They do, however, tend to have to sign any changes off. And if you make a fool of yourself, they won’t; at the very least they will obstruct or delay it, and may well have the power to block your chances permanently. On the other hand, even if they remember anything positive you might have done in their presence, it is not going to lead to a corresponding “seems good, I think we should even give her another couple of thousand over and above the recommended figure” type of response. They are not involved in the evaluation, only in the yes/no decision at the end.
So, when the Superior is around:
- speak when spoken to
- be brief, and stick to the party line
- do not try to stand out
- be seen and not heard
- and above all, don't end up looking a fool... unless you have a cunning plan
- and above all, don't end up looking a fool... unless you have a cunning plan
Goto: Next Section
Superiors: The Saddam
An outstanding organiser, the Saddam has a clear agenda. This agenda consists of two items at all times: “Point 1: the Saddam; Point 2: Any Other Business”. You are either for the Saddam or against. If you are against, you should leave now. If you are for, your role will be clearly defined and you should not try to step outside it. Points to note:
a) the Saddam frequently checks loyalty. Make sure you are. Consider if your Boss is. Can you influence this? Remember that if your boss is not, you may be guilty by association. Or you might get their job. A dilemma.
b) do not step outside your allotted place. If you are privately against the Saddam, keep this well hidden, and bide your time. Toe the party line, spout the party policy in public
c) a standard Saddam practice is to ensure that his/her immediate reports are completely bound into the Saddam’s agenda (in the historical case in Iraq, by getting each of them to shoot a “traitor” or two). Find out how the Saddam has bound in your own boss. It will normally involve some sort of rule or convention breaking (e.g. a “local” expenses policy). The information is useless now, but if the Saddam is replaced later, it will certainly come in handy.
a) the Saddam frequently checks loyalty. Make sure you are. Consider if your Boss is. Can you influence this? Remember that if your boss is not, you may be guilty by association. Or you might get their job. A dilemma.
b) do not step outside your allotted place. If you are privately against the Saddam, keep this well hidden, and bide your time. Toe the party line, spout the party policy in public
c) a standard Saddam practice is to ensure that his/her immediate reports are completely bound into the Saddam’s agenda (in the historical case in Iraq, by getting each of them to shoot a “traitor” or two). Find out how the Saddam has bound in your own boss. It will normally involve some sort of rule or convention breaking (e.g. a “local” expenses policy). The information is useless now, but if the Saddam is replaced later, it will certainly come in handy.
Dealing with more remote Superiors
Three things matter when dealing with your boss's Superior(s):
The next posts look at each in turn
- Do not make a fool of yourself
- Do NOT make a fool of your boss
- Understand the relationship between Boss and Superior
The next posts look at each in turn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)