How to Handle an Ineffective Manager

culled from;profilesinternational.com

People who know how to be effective managers are decisive, firm, and always looking out for their team. They don’t back down or question their decisions (that doesn’t mean they don’t change their mind). Ineffective managers can be just the opposite; they avoid difficult decisions, look out for “number one,” and suit the whim of the most important person in the room. You could go so far as to call this kind of manager a coward. The bad thing is, this kind of manager still holds sway over your career. If you have the misfortune of living in this kind of environment, here are ways you can help yourself, and maybe even your team.

For starters, defend yourself if you absolutely have to—that is, if your previous attempts to clarify the situation aren’t working. Many times problems between yourself and your boss stem from a miscommunication. If that is not the case, odds are this type of ineffective manager will throw you under the bus if they feel threatened. Their top priority is themselves. The catch, of course, is this reflects badly on the boss, because an ineffective team means an ineffective manager. But since they don’t realize this (and because upper management hired them as manager for a reason), you need to be able to defend yourself should the occasion arise. Document everything, and be deliberate in your actions.

Establish and maintain good relationships with stakeholders, clients, and anyone else who may benefit from the services you offer. These are the voices that will be heard most loudly when they come to your defense. Who can argue with a client who’s providing revenue? Make your performance, potential, and value explicitly known to anyone and everyone you interact with.

Make your boss feel like they’re part of your decisions. Ineffective managers have an inherent need to be involved. Keep them in the loop, but ultimately make your own decisions if the ineffective manager never offers solutions. You must be able to defend your decisions, however.

Finally, if you’re absolutely unhappy, and unable to resolve the issues you’ve had with this ineffective manager or discuss them with someone else, look elsewhere for work. This should be a last resort. Though your ineffective manager may change their ways, it’s likely that they won’t. See if you can make a lateral move to a different team, or, if it comes down to it, look for employment with another company. In the meantime, try to stay engaged in your work and find the positives where you can. Someone who knows how to be an effective manager will foster employee engagement, and that effective manager might be at another organization.

It’s difficult dealing with ineffective managers, especially those who will do anything to look good or cover their hide. Just remember, there are things you can do to cover yours, too.

People who know how to be effective managers are decisive, firm, and always looking out for their team. They don’t back down or question their decisions (that doesn’t mean they don’t change their mind). Ineffective managers can be just the opposite; they avoid difficult decisions, look out for “number one,” and suit the whim of the most important person in the room. You could go so far as to call this kind of manager a coward. The bad thing is, this kind of manager still holds sway over your career. If you have the misfortune of living in this kind of environment, here are ways you can help yourself, and maybe even your team.
For starters, defend yourself if you absolutely have to—that is, if your previous attempts to clarify the situation aren’t working. Many times problems between yourself and your boss stem from a miscommunication. If that is not the case, odds are this type of ineffective manager will throw you under the bus if they feel threatened. Their top priority is themselves. The catch, of course, is this reflects badly on the boss, because an ineffective team means an ineffective manager. But since they don’t realize this (and because upper management hired them as manager for a reason), you need to be able to defend yourself should the occasion arise. Document everything, and be deliberate in your actions.
Establish and maintain good relationships with stakeholders, clients, and anyone else who may benefit from the services you offer. These are the voices that will be heard most loudly when they come to your defense. Who can argue with a client who’s providing revenue? Make your performance, potential, and value explicitly known to anyone and everyone you interact with.
Make your boss feel like they’re part of your decisions. Ineffective managers have an inherent need to be involved. Keep them in the loop, but ultimately make your own decisions if the ineffective manager never offers solutions. You must be able to defend your decisions, however.
Finally, if you’re absolutely unhappy, and unable to resolve the issues you’ve had with this ineffective manager or discuss them with someone else, look elsewhere for work. This should be a last resort. Though your ineffective manager may change their ways, it’s likely that they won’t. See if you can make a lateral move to a different team, or, if it comes down to it, look for employment with another company. In the meantime, try to stay engaged in your work and find the positives where you can. Someone who knows how to be an effective manager will foster employee engagement, and that effective manager might be at another organization.
It’s difficult dealing with ineffective managers, especially those who will do anything to look good or cover their hide. Just remember, there are things you can do to cover yours, too.
- See more at: http://www.profilesinternational.com/insights/leadership-development/how-to-handle-an-ineffective-manager/#sthash.0WqEp9Hd.dpuf

People who know how to be effective managers are decisive, firm, and always looking out for their team. They don’t back down or question their decisions (that doesn’t mean they don’t change their mind). Ineffective managers can be just the opposite; they avoid difficult decisions, look out for “number one,” and suit the whim of the most important person in the room. You could go so far as to call this kind of manager a coward. The bad thing is, this kind of manager still holds sway over your career. If you have the misfortune of living in this kind of environment, here are ways you can help yourself, and maybe even your team.
For starters, defend yourself if you absolutely have to—that is, if your previous attempts to clarify the situation aren’t working. Many times problems between yourself and your boss stem from a miscommunication. If that is not the case, odds are this type of ineffective manager will throw you under the bus if they feel threatened. Their top priority is themselves. The catch, of course, is this reflects badly on the boss, because an ineffective team means an ineffective manager. But since they don’t realize this (and because upper management hired them as manager for a reason), you need to be able to defend yourself should the occasion arise. Document everything, and be deliberate in your actions.
Establish and maintain good relationships with stakeholders, clients, and anyone else who may benefit from the services you offer. These are the voices that will be heard most loudly when they come to your defense. Who can argue with a client who’s providing revenue? Make your performance, potential, and value explicitly known to anyone and everyone you interact with.
Make your boss feel like they’re part of your decisions. Ineffective managers have an inherent need to be involved. Keep them in the loop, but ultimately make your own decisions if the ineffective manager never offers solutions. You must be able to defend your decisions, however.
Finally, if you’re absolutely unhappy, and unable to resolve the issues you’ve had with this ineffective manager or discuss them with someone else, look elsewhere for work. This should be a last resort. Though your ineffective manager may change their ways, it’s likely that they won’t. See if you can make a lateral move to a different team, or, if it comes down to it, look for employment with another company. In the meantime, try to stay engaged in your work and find the positives where you can. Someone who knows how to be an effective manager will foster employee engagement, and that effective manager might be at another organization.
It’s difficult dealing with ineffective managers, especially those who will do anything to look good or cover their hide. Just remember, there are things you can do to cover yours, too.
- See more at: http://www.profilesinternational.com/insights/leadership-development/how-to-handle-an-ineffective-manager/#sthash.0WqEp9Hd.dpuf