I’ve been working since I was 16 years old. I’ve done everything from being a fast food cashier to managing warehouse shipments to my current job as an English professor. So, needless to say, I’ve worked with a few different kinds of managers.
When people talk about managers, the conversation often turns into a discussion of the person: He’s a jerk. She’s a control freak. Or She’s so compassionate. He’s such a good guy. But management styles are actually much more important than the managers themselves.
The key to working well with a manager is not whether that person is a control freak or a good guy—it’s knowing how that person works and how to work with them. Here are some ideas for how to work with five common types of managers.
The Big Personality
This person is really invested in their persona: there will be lots of jokes, lots of back-slapping and hand-shaking at social events. When you have a meeting with this manager, the conversation will often begin or end with a question or comment about their current popularity. You’ll be interrupted and shut down whenever you say something The BP disagrees with, however. The BP likes making plans and proposing solutions–not entertaining suggestions.
How to work with this manager: You’ve heard the saying “It’s better to ask forgiveness than permission”? That saying was created in response to The BP. This type of manager isn’t interested in details, so there’s a lot that will fly under the radar. Since The BP won’t listen, don’t waste time asking questions—just take the initiative. This is not a manager who wants to be a team player, so don’t try to get the BP on board with a new plan. It’s not going to happen. Manage the outcomes of your actions and leave it at that.
The Liar
Worst of all leadership types, The Liar will insist that something is true even when you know it’s not. Pointing this out will get you nowhere, because The Liar lives in a parallel universe where their version of events is without fault. Most often, The Liar leaves out pertinent facts and uses half-truths to perpetuate these lies, which fools the less-informed or newly-hired. A really good liar can even make you question your own knowledge of the truth.
How to work with this manager: Focus on the facts and (quietly) make sure they’re known. There is safety in numbers: if a large group of people knows the truth, no one will feel betrayed when you do what The Liar asks. Solidarity is key, because The Liar loves to divide and conquer. Make sure the division isn’t among co-workers. That will be crucial when it comes time for a vote of No Confidence–often The Liar’s undoing.
The Motivator
Everybody loves The Motivator. This type of manager loves to share good news and make everyone feel great. However, The Motivator often keeps bad news hidden. By the time it comes to light, there’s a crisis at hand. At his point, The Motivator’s plan is to dip into the well of good will that they’ve created, asking everyone to tighten their belts and forge ahead until, once again, everything is awesome.
How to work with this manager: You’d think The Motivator’s popularity would make this manager easy to work with, but in fact it creates enormous difficulties—if you voice your suspicions about the rosy picture The Motivator paints, you may be accused of being cynical. So protect yourself: keep quiet, but trust what you know. Plan for the worst. When crisis strikes, you won’t be caught unawares–in fact, you’ll be the only person ready to take a leadership role in saving the day. And The Motivator loves an empowered leader who can get things back to awesome as quickly as possible.
The Networker
Have you ever met one of those people who seems to know everyone else in the world? Then you’ve met a Networker. This manager is a superstar in his or her field. The Networker often holds positions on various boards of directors and community organizations. He or she seems to be the first to know about everything. Unfortunately, because The Networker spends so much time networking, there’s very little time for them to do any work.
How to work with this manager: Don’t fall into the mistaken belief that rubbing elbows with The Networker’s contacts will lead to your success: The Networker didn’t become a superstar by networking. That happened as the result of a lot of effort. Once The Networker achieved some measure of success, that’s when the hardcore networking began (because everyone loves to be friends with a success.) So keep your eye on what needs to be done, and do it well—even if it’s technically The Networker’s job. Being on this manager’s A-list will make it easier for you to move up. Most importantly, disparaging The Networker will make you look petty. Keep negative remarks, no matter how valid, to yourself.
The Bud
This manager really wants to be your friend. The Bud understands that there’s a difference between managers and employees, but that difference only matters at work—say, when The Bud has to send that email reminding you that you haven’t yet submitted a report . But don’t worry, The Bud is still totally on board with going to the game with you tonight. The Bud cannot stand conflict and will do everything possible to avoid it. (In this regard, The Bud sometimes becomes The Liar—but only until a lie has been exposed. At this point, The Bud will tell the truth. Then The Bud will take you out for an apology beer.)
How to work with this manager: Never forget that The Bud is not your friend. The Bud will try very hard to make you do this. However, forgetting will only create a situation in which The Bud piles on the guilt while also pulling rank. On top of that, even the appearance of being friends with The Bud will make it very difficult to work with colleagues who are either a.) not cool enough to be friends with The Bud, or b.) resisting that friendship, as you should be. Keep in mind that Buds will come and go; it’s your colleagues who make the work day what it is.
Doing your job well is only half the battle, when it comes to reaching your professional goals. The other half is remembering that you can be successful working with any type of manager.
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