Q. Busy Boss: I work for a small company with a staff fewer than 10 people. We recently got a new boss, and it’s clear he’s committed to making the business the best it can be in every way. However, when I go to his office to ask a question or give an update, he rarely looks at me. His eyes stay focused on his computer screen and it’s hard to tell if he’s even listening. I know perhaps I shouldn’t take this personally, but it makes me feel that my ideas or questions are not valued or important (and I am attempting to limit visits to his office as much as possible—it’s not like I’m knocking every five minutes). When he started here, he told the staff he has an open door policy and that he welcomes feedback. I just don’t know if this is the right thing to mention, or whether I should let it go.
A: Busy boss may have an open door policy but it actually may mean: “I hate it when you cross the threshold of my door.” He also may be an awkward person who globally has a hard time making eye contact. He may be listening in the way that’s most comfortable for him. But since he doesn’t appear to enjoy personal intrusions, use email. The beauty of that is that when he responds there is a record that both of you can refer to, and you get a more explicit sense of what he’s thinking. Do not take this personally, and do not point out, “Boss, either you don’t like me, or your interpersonal skills are lacking.”
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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
I'm in "outside sales", so seeing my boss or anyone in management is pretty rare.
Communications are by phone, Voicemail, and email.
My favorite ways is, first send an email message with all the necessary details, then
second, call ...
If I reach the person, that's usually because they are at their desk in front of their computer, so I ask them to open my email, and we will discuss it.
Then later I will confirm the discussion in a follow up email, including the email chain.
If I can't get them on the phone, I will leave ONE voicemail message, then keep calling until they answer.
Same process with customers, most of the time, although I do see many of them fairly frequently. But email follow-up is almost always a good idea.
NOTE that complaints about something someone's done should almost NEVER be in writing, unless you want to get someone fired.
And anything that Federal Regulators might find "interesting" (i.e. "actionable") should not be discussed on paper or using digital media. It can come back and bite someone hard.
(In my industry, that can mean HUGE FINES and possibly prison time.)
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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
Okay - I do this. But, what the letter writer is ignoring is that he is walking into boss' office without warning and expecting boss to drop what he's doing and give him his undivided attention. I have a couple of women in my office that do this to me ALL THE TIME. If I'm in the middle of reading something, or in the middle of typing a thought - you need to wait. Why is it that I have to stop my concentration because you chose that moment to walk into my office? Sometimes, I'm actually working (if I'm on GT, I minimize and give them my attention - LOL).
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Of course, I have a lady who walks in to ask me some of the STUPIDEST questions. She handed me a stack of papers that came fedex and asked when the rest were coming. I looked through the stack and said this looks like all of them - did you even look through these????? She said NO. WTF??? That is a waste of my time!!!
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Well, if one of my employees interrupts me, it's usually something that warrants me stopping what I am doing and check it out...equipment malfunction or such.
As far as just general discussion and brainstorming, we usually do that at the start or the end of the day.
Which is definitely much more important than silly work, LOL!
I prefer email communication going both directions for the most part (except REALLY important stuff - then a face-to-face is warrented). Email is less intrusive and the recipient can read the communication when he/she can be fully focused. Plus you have an audit trail to assist your memory, if it's stressed and lacking like mine.
Okay - I do this. But, what the letter writer is ignoring is that he is walking into boss' office without warning and expecting boss to drop what he's doing and give him his undivided attention. I have a couple of women in my office that do this to me ALL THE TIME. If I'm in the middle of reading something, or in the middle of typing a thought - you need to wait. Why is it that I have to stop my concentration because you chose that moment to walk into my office? Sometimes, I'm actually working (if I'm on GT, I minimize and give them my attention - LOL).
Well, you are the boss. Why aren't you telling your employees what you expect of them and when and how they should inform or interrupt you?
My husband has a hard time getting his own work done because of the million questions, ideas, complaints and crisis. A lot of it needs attention but he has to go in after hours just to get his work done.
I worked with a lady who had something neurological going on. She would ask me something and then ask me a few minutes later. And then again. I would come home from work in tears of frustration. Once again she was someone hired under the friends and family program so nothing could be done. There's no such thing as that program but we call it that because every time someone's friend or family member gets hired it's an ugly mess. Anyways. One time I told this lady that had something wrong to sterilize this item. If she did nothing else this item had to be done. Please get this item ready. I don't need anything else until I get this item. What did she do? Everything but the item I needed.
My husband has a hard time getting his own work done because of the million questions, ideas, complaints and crisis. A lot of it needs attention but he has to go in after hours just to get his work done.
Is he the boss? If so, why can't he moderate that? If he's not the boss, then why doesn't he talk to the boss about finding ways to give him the time he needs to get his job done?
My husband has a hard time getting his own work done because of the million questions, ideas, complaints and crisis. A lot of it needs attention but he has to go in after hours just to get his work done.
Is he the boss? If so, why can't he moderate that? If he's not the boss, then why doesn't he talk to the boss about finding ways to give him the time he needs to get his job done?
He owns the company and has stopped dealing with the silly drama problems, it is mostly problems with computers and taxes, importent venders. I should have been more clear about that.
I used what he put up with in years past as a example. The new boss in the letter may be setting boundries.
I cant tell you how many jobs I have had in which I never saw a manager much less any other kind of boss.
Most of my communication has always happened with either a message board or on the phone.
And by a message board I mean a dry erase board. Sometimes a notebook.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Ok. Just saying that there are ways to put up boundaries. Or delegate and make an assistant the Go To person. You know , stuff like that.
I'm the lawyer. Assistants are not allowed to answer legal questions. The problem is, I don't know whether it's important or not until they ask it, so I'm not going to tell them not to come to me. But if I'm in the middle of something, THEY CAN WAIT until I'm at a breaking point.
It's no different than expecting people not to interrupt a conversation.
-- Edited by Lawyerlady on Wednesday 17th of December 2014 07:39:21 PM
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Ok. Just saying that there are ways to put up boundaries. Or delegate and make an assistant the Go To person. You know , stuff like that.
I'm the lawyer. Assistants are not allowed to answer legal questions. The problem is, I don't know whether it's important or not until they ask it, so I'm not going to tell them not to come to me. But if I'm in the middle of something, THEY CAN WAIT until I'm at a breaking point.
It's no different than expecting people not to interrupt a conversation.
-- Edited by Lawyerlady on Wednesday 17th of December 2014 07:39:21 PM
You probably do not want them asking the question in email, because the questions are likely to involve privileged information, and email can be hacked or subpoenaed.
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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
