😖 Survive Your Wavering Boss

Note from Yann: 👋 Hey readers! I’m Yann, every week, I share my practical guidance to help to grow in your career. Today 's article the 13th edition on Managing up a boss that is indecisive.

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Ever had a boss who's as decisive as a rock? 🪨

A boss who just wouldn't make a simple choice?

I sure have! More than once.

It was close to ultimate frustration for me.

The Ghost Boss Chronicles 👻

Let me tell you about this one manager I had – he was the king of ghosting! 👑👻

So picture this: I'm working on a project, and I need a simple "yes" or "no" from the big guy.

I fire off a message, thinking I'll get an answer in no time.

Spoiler alert: I don't. 🤦♂️

Three. Whole. Days. Later. 📆📆📆

I finally got a reply, and it's about as helpful as a chocolate teapot.

Half an answer, no decision made. Thanks, boss! 🙄

It was like trying to get blood from a stone, I'm telling you.

Need approval for something small? Good luck! It's easier to win the lottery. 🎰

This guy's indecisiveness was legendary. I swear, if you asked him what he wanted for lunch, he'd still be thinking about it at dinner time. 🍽️

The situation drove me crazy.

It not only hindered my ability to do my job effectively but also increased my frustration levels to the point where I dreaded coming to work. 

Relatable?

So yeah, if you've got a boss like that, I feel your pain.

I learned (way too late!) strategies you can use to navigate such

And maintain your sanity.

My Survival Guide 🧰

Vent, But Keep It Pro 🎭

Feeling the urge to scream into the void? Go for it! Just make sure it's not in the office. 

Yes: venting is a great way to stay sane. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

When you're feeling frustrated, it's important to let it all out.

✅ DO: Talk to friends, family, or a therapist. Unload yourself.

❌ DON'T: Gossip with coworkers (trust me, it's a career minefield and it will create a horn effect on your boss 😈.)

So, if you're feeling frustrated, don't bottle it up. Find a healthy way to vent, and you'll feel better in no time.

💡 Personal tip: I have a "Boss Boggle" journal. It's like a diary, but with 100% more eye-rolls. 🙄 It helps me to unload with no harm.

Decode Your Boss's Decision-Making Style 🕵️♂️

Time to put on your detective hat!

The main reason for frustration is when you and your boss have different ways of making decisions, especially when you're under pressure.

It's like, you're both on different pages, and it can get really annoying.

Understanding how your boss acts can help you to address it better.

In my 20 years working experience, I have met 3 types of slow decision makers:

1. 🚪 Keep all Doors Open: The fear of closing the door on other options. Bosses like that like to keep their choices open and avoid committing to a specific plan. This can lead to missed opportunities.
2. 🤗 People pleasers: These bosses want to make decisions that do not negatively impact anyone. They take the time to consider how their choices might affect others and try to find solutions that make everyone happy. 🤦♂️
3. 🔎Show me all the data: These bosses believe in using data and information to make decisions. They gather as much relevant data as possible before making a final call.

⚠️ Disclaimer just to be clear, I'm not trying to act like a psychologist here. These are just some patterns I've noticed based on my own observations. 🙇

But here's the thing: often your boss isn't really aware of what they need to make a decision.

So, just asking them, "Hey, what's missing for you to make a choice?" isn't going to cut it.

You gotta watch them and learn how they do things.

If you understand how they think, you can present information in a way that resonates with them. And get your answer.

Communicate Effectively 📣

If you are working for some time with your boss, you should already know their preferred communication style.

Do they like long document or quick summaries?

Are they better at responding to emails, DM or when you talk to them in person?

Don't be afraid to ask colleagues for advice. Or be direct: "How can I present information to help you understand more easily?".

Present Options Like a Pro 🤵

When asking for a decision, serve it up on a silver platter:

1. Offer 2-3 clear options. Named them for easier references.

2. List pros and cons for each options.

3. Always make a recommendation based on your judgement.

4. Set a deadline for the decision.

5. Include the consequence of not making decision.

This should be short and sweet with only the relevant info.

Example:

"We have two options for the marketing campaign. [1][2] Option A is cheaper but slower, Option B is pricier but quicker. [3] I recommend B because [insert brilliant reasoning]. [4] We need to decide by Friday End of day to stay on schedule. [5] If we miss it the campaign will not be ready for the new product launch"

In your reasoning, be sure to include information based on what you observed as a decision making style.

👉 If your boss doesn’t like to close doors: propose the back-up solution and show how this is a two-way door decision that can be reverted.

👉 If your boss like to please everyone: show that you pro-actively aligned with key stakeholders and incorporate their inputs.

👉 If your boss likes to know it all: add all the data as an appendix. If the question about the cost, include a cost decomposition, line by line. They will feel safer.

Usually, your boss will rely on your judgment and go with your suggestion.

The initial hesitation that slow the process is more about concern that you might not be approaching the issue correctly.

In case of Emergency: Break It Down 🧩

For really severe indecisiveness cases, you have to bring your maximum patience and go step by step.

Break big decisions into bite-sized chunks.

Instead of “We must decide on the Korea Trip" try:

1. "First, Let's set a date. Week X or Y / Pro / Cons etc…. Let’s make that decision first."

2. Then, "Great. Next let’s decide who should go? [present name / reasons…]"

3. "Now, Transport / Accommodation preferences?" etc…

Baby steps for the baby boss! 👶

Build Your Resilience Muscles 💪

Ultimately, you will have to build your patience and manage your expectations.

🐺 Rome wasn't built in a day, and your boss won't become decisive overnight.

In case you see too little progress, do not abdicate but take some distance.

Often you probably do not have all the information your boss has.

Keep in mind, their actions are usually based on how they make decisions and what's important to them, not because they're trying to trick you or waste your time. So let it go. ❄️

Meanwhile, It is important to practice self-care and accept the situation.

By regularly showing that you've done your prep, you'll gradually build trust and take on more responsibility. Every times you get slightly better. That's how you move up in your career.

The silver lining ✨

Dealing with an indecisive boss isn't just an exercise in patience – it's a masterclass in leadership skills.

You're learning to communicate effectively, present information clearly, and navigate tricky workplace dynamics.

These are superpowers in the professional world! It will help you on your whole career.🦸

So next time your boss is waffling over a decision, remember: you're not just surviving, you're growing. You're building skills that will skyrocket your career long after you've moved on to bigger and better things.

Note from Yann: 👋 Hey folks! Thanks for reading. This was the 13th edition of the Simple Leader's Playbook.

I usually avoid writing on the "managing up", but I met some recent case around me.

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