Summary:
Sometimes your boss may have unrealistic expectations about a project or task. These Harvard Business Review tips can help you decide the best approach to the matter.
Try these approaches to gain better balance for yourself and strengthen your relationship with a demanding supervisor.
Every leader occasionally has unrealistic expectations. But some bosses are unrealistic most of the time — and there can still be a lot of pressure to comply with their demands.
Instead of caving in or updating your resume, try these approaches:
MANAGE YOUR BODY: If your boss’s demands put you into fight-flight-freeze mode , calm yourself so you can take appropriate action. Using a simple anchoring practice , such as feeling the feet in your shoes, will calm the body and signal to your brain that you’re not actually in physical danger.
AGREE IN PRINCIPLE, THEN SHARE INFORMATION: Establishing that you and your boss are on the same page may give you the leeway to explain some practical realities. Describing the practical steps that you could take to get results that he wants and opening discussion with lead-ins like “Let me share a way I think we could do this with the least disruption” can facilitate the exchange.
SEND UP TRIAL BALLOONS FOR USABLE FEEDBACK: It’s unlikely your boss plans to be unrealistic or unfair. Keep checking to be sure you understand and are doing what your boss actually wants. Try something like: “I know you’re concerned about the risk of too much investment too quickly. Did I capture the scenarios and factors you’re looking for?”
GAUGE WHETHER YOU’RE GAINING TRACTION: Assess your boss’s style and approach to determine if you’ll get a better response by behaving proactively or reactively. A boss who indulges in flights of fancy, for example, might be brought back down to Earth by a staff that shares relevant information frequently and consistently.
Copyright 2018 Harvard Business School Publishing Corp. Distributed by The New York Times Syndicate.
Topics
Self-Awareness
Working with and Through Others
Conflict Management
Related
How to Avoid a False Start When You’re Leading a Big ChangeThe Art of Listening in Medicine Is More Than a Skill. It’s a NecessityThe Emerging Physicians Leadership Program at Boston Children’s Hospital: A Unique Program Equipping Exemplary Mid-Career Physicians to Successfully Transition to Leadership Within the OrganizationRecommended Reading
Problem Solving
How to Avoid a False Start When You’re Leading a Big Change
Team Building and Teamwork
The Emerging Physicians Leadership Program at Boston Children’s Hospital: A Unique Program Equipping Exemplary Mid-Career Physicians to Successfully Transition to Leadership Within the Organization
Team Building and Teamwork
The Interprofessional Advantage: How Mixed-Team Leadership Training Builds Trust, Communication, and Performance in Healthcare
Self-Management
Culture and Communities of Practice in Changing Times
Self-Management
To Lead Through Uncertainty, Unlearn Your Assumptions