e055 Intolerable Bosses - The Visionless Boss

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision” - Helen Keller

A Visionless boss, someone with no view of the future, can’t communicate about the future to their team. As a result, employeesoften have no clear path forward. It’s like being in a canoe, everyone has their paddles, but you have no idea where you are supposed to paddle toward because the captain doesn’t know. So when you are in that canoe as employees, you become reactive. You just do what is necessary to not capsize and drown, second-guessing where you are going even as the canoe picks out a route of its own. 
 
“Your future is not dependent on your boss’s lack of a vision of the future”
 
The second thing that makes the Visionless Bossan important topic to discuss is that it can be difficult to spot such a boss. Many organizations overlook this deficiency. It’s a little like carbon monoxide: It is colorless and odorless and can go on undetected for a long time until it is too late. The same goes for this style of leadership. This Manager’s Manager may not see it, and often peers don’t see it. One way to spot it, though, is that direct reports of this boss are confused. They are running around doing tasks just because they are tasks, staying busy. Their boss is running around being busy. But what for? 
 
So what can people who work for a Visionles Boss do to survive? Here are six tips to help you through the chaos that is created on a team that has no direction:
 
Tip #1: Don’t fight, argue or complain
Tip #2: Keep Objective Notes
Tip #3: Have a well-prepared, collaborative conversation with your boss
Tip #4: Take on an informal leadership role on your team
Tip #5: Share any and all credit with your team
Tip #6: Facilitate a Team strategic planning session
 
Want all the wonderful details for each suggestion? Listen tot he full podcast today!
 
“You are not a victim. None of us are. We can set and lead meaningful milestones for ourselves. Where do you want to be in five years?”
 
LINKS
Terry Lipovski’s Email terry@ubiquity.coach
Sophia Schweitzer’s Email: sophiaschweitzer@mac.com
Space Beyond Words Website: https://spacebeyondwords.com
 
SHOW SPONSOR
OTUS Group Website: www.otusgroup.com