Instead of looking for articles on managing one's boss (which, as you pointed out, are often full of platitudes), I would suggest looking at books on conflict and negotiation. I worked in industry for 16 years before moving into academia, and I have had my share of difficult bosses. A few books were very helpful for me: Stephen Covey's 7 Habits (not well-respected academic material, I know, but it helped me realize that I cannot change other people; I can only change my reaction to them), Getting to Yes, and Difficult Conversations by Patton, Stone, and Heen (from the Harvard Project on Negotiations).
The latter two books were only helpful after I had done some careful analysis of the situation on my own. First, decide whether it is better to simply quit or if you can make it work (I realize he might not have the option of quitting). If he has to make the situation work, then what aspects need to change in order to make it livable? This does not mean vague things like "be nicer". It has to be something concrete – for example, if the boss is a micromanager, then agreeing certain points in time when he will submit an update and the boss agreeing not to check in until those points in time are reached. Once he has decided what needs to change, then use the negotiation and difficult conversation techniques to approach and talk to the boss.
I hope this is helpful.
Regards,
Connson Locke
Assistant Professor
Department of Management
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">London</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place> of Economics
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From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of Sharfman, Mark P.
Sent: 08 October 2009 20:55
To: OB@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
Subject: [OB-LIST] FW: managing your boss references
Apologies for cross postings
I am trying to wade through the plethora of things out there to find some helpful (not full of platitudes) references on managing one's supervisor. Before you ask, no I do not need it to better manage my Dean nor am I going to hand it out to my faculty because they need to better manage me (although that is a thought........). I have a former student with an idiot for a boss and he needs some concrete suggestions beyond my very limited expertise in the area. The stuff I have looked at so far just doesn't have much to offer. If you know of references that you believe are actually helpful please send me some suggestions and I will post to the list once I compile them.
Regards
Mark
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mark P. Sharfman, Ph.D.
Professor of Strategic Management
Director, Division of Management & Entrepreneurship
Price College of Business
307 W. Brooks - Rm. 206A
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK 73019-0450 USA
+405.325.5689 (voice)
+405.325.7688 (fax)
Msharfman@ou.edu
http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/S/Mark.P.Sharfman-1/
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