Five Ways to React When Your Boss is Wrong
18 March 2013
Read by 1920 persons
A misjudgment on their part can have catastrophic consequences for them, for the company... and for you. Our advice for bringing them back to reason with tact.
Selling ice cream with mustard? Creating a chic porn ad for pans? Organizing a pedalo course to reward the sales team? In general, your boss is rather sensible, but this time they are completely off the mark. Hearing them expound their wacky ideas, you are tempted to laugh in their face or give them a piece of your mind. However, since they are the boss and have all the power (or almost) over the rest of your career within the company, a minimum of diplomacy is required. To bring them back to reason, adopt a five-step progressive strategy.
Give them the benefit of the doubt
Your boss's project may seem stupid to you, but a good surprise is not necessarily to be excluded: after all, if they have climbed the hierarchy, it is perhaps for good reasons. So start by welcoming and examining their idea with an open and curious mind. "Systematically criticizing the decisions of one's hierarchy has become a reflex, because the company crystallizes all the ills of society," analyzes Nicolas Dugay, executive coach and associate director of CAA. "You have to succeed in getting rid of this habit, which is a source of immobility, negativity and counter-productivity. Also, don't react in the heat of the moment and give yourself two or three days to think about it."
In order to see more clearly, make a list of the "pros" and "cons" that their idea inspires in you. The first column will certainly be more difficult to fill than the second, but it is an excellent way to force yourself to take a step back and put yourself in the boss's shoes. "This musical chairs game can totally change our vision," assures Nicolas Dugay, "and transform an apparently bad idea into an opportunity for tomorrow."
Use facts
Nothing to do: despite your good faith, you continue to think that there is no market for sauerkraut in Ivory Coast. To prove it to them, gather as many market studies, press articles and statistics as possible demonstrating that the idea is likely to flop. "Providing figures helps to depersonalize the debate," analyzes Hélène Jacob, former trainer in a large telecommunications group. "In a way, this data acts as a shield: you don't appear as the bearer of bad news but as someone who wants to prevent the company from making a mistake."
No need to drown your speech in dozens of charts. "To hit the mark, adopt the technique of lawyers," continues Hélène Jacob. "Put forward two or three clear and precise arguments. After reading dozens of reports, choose the ones that you remember."
Express your doubts tactfully
Form is as important as substance. So avoid criticizing your boss's idea too directly: they might feel attacked or discredited. Instead, express doubts about its feasibility with carefully chosen words: "In this context of crisis and in view of recent reports, I wonder if increasing our prices by 50% is not going to penalize us."
"This mode of communication leaves room for debate and allows your boss to take ownership of the decisions," explains Nicolas Dugay. To better capture their attention, imitate them. "Adopt the same postures as them," advises Hélène Jacob. "If they are rather energetic, don't slump into a chair as soon as you enter their office. Copy their gestures, identify the words they like to use and use them yourself." Finally, choose the right time to address the subject and avoid public places like the coffee machine or the canteen.
Come up with new ideas
"There are no problems, there are only solutions," said André Gide. Make this maxim your own and suggest other options to your boss when you think they are wrong. "I am project manager for the Americas sector for a travel agency," says Ségoleine, 37. "It often happens that my boss - to be fair, I should point out that he manages five continents - puts forward wacky ideas. I avoid reacting in the heat of the moment and wait two or three days to submit other projects to him. And I always manage to get him to take ownership of part of them. For example, I remind him that he himself suggested the idea to me a few weeks earlier. I also punctuate my sentences with involving phrases, such as "What do you think?" As a result, he feels involved. And we more easily manage to find a compromise between his idea and mine."
Accept the risk of a falling out
If, after all these steps, your boss does not change their position, you have two options: swallow your pride and continue to do the work you are paid for, or act even if it means losing them. "When this kind of situation repeats itself, you have to rely on the strength of the collective," explains Hélène Jacob. "You are probably not the only one to challenge your superior's decision. In this case, try to discuss it with them together." However, designate a single spokesperson to express the general dissatisfaction, so that they do not feel cornered and can also express themselves. If this meeting leads to nothing, you can use the ultimate weapon: ask for a meeting with their superior.
"But be careful: it is possible that your boss will interpret this as a declaration of war and that your relationship will suffer without the conflict being resolved," warns Hélène Jacob. In this case, it may be time to adopt Jean-Pierre Chevènement's formula: "Either you shut up or you resign." Provided you have carefully assessed the stakes: is a mustard ice cream worth it?
Christelle Pangrazzi
Capital.fr
Posted online on March 18, 2013.
Selling ice cream with mustard? Creating a chic porn ad for pans? Organizing a pedalo course to reward the sales team? In general, your boss is rather sensible, but this time they are completely off the mark. Hearing them expound their wacky ideas, you are tempted to laugh in their face or give them a piece of your mind. However, since they are the boss and have all the power (or almost) over the rest of your career within the company, a minimum of diplomacy is required. To bring them back to reason, adopt a five-step progressive strategy.
Give them the benefit of the doubt
Your boss's project may seem stupid to you, but a good surprise is not necessarily to be excluded: after all, if they have climbed the hierarchy, it is perhaps for good reasons. So start by welcoming and examining their idea with an open and curious mind. "Systematically criticizing the decisions of one's hierarchy has become a reflex, because the company crystallizes all the ills of society," analyzes Nicolas Dugay, executive coach and associate director of CAA. "You have to succeed in getting rid of this habit, which is a source of immobility, negativity and counter-productivity. Also, don't react in the heat of the moment and give yourself two or three days to think about it."
In order to see more clearly, make a list of the "pros" and "cons" that their idea inspires in you. The first column will certainly be more difficult to fill than the second, but it is an excellent way to force yourself to take a step back and put yourself in the boss's shoes. "This musical chairs game can totally change our vision," assures Nicolas Dugay, "and transform an apparently bad idea into an opportunity for tomorrow."
Use facts
Nothing to do: despite your good faith, you continue to think that there is no market for sauerkraut in Ivory Coast. To prove it to them, gather as many market studies, press articles and statistics as possible demonstrating that the idea is likely to flop. "Providing figures helps to depersonalize the debate," analyzes Hélène Jacob, former trainer in a large telecommunications group. "In a way, this data acts as a shield: you don't appear as the bearer of bad news but as someone who wants to prevent the company from making a mistake."
No need to drown your speech in dozens of charts. "To hit the mark, adopt the technique of lawyers," continues Hélène Jacob. "Put forward two or three clear and precise arguments. After reading dozens of reports, choose the ones that you remember."
Express your doubts tactfully
Form is as important as substance. So avoid criticizing your boss's idea too directly: they might feel attacked or discredited. Instead, express doubts about its feasibility with carefully chosen words: "In this context of crisis and in view of recent reports, I wonder if increasing our prices by 50% is not going to penalize us."
"This mode of communication leaves room for debate and allows your boss to take ownership of the decisions," explains Nicolas Dugay. To better capture their attention, imitate them. "Adopt the same postures as them," advises Hélène Jacob. "If they are rather energetic, don't slump into a chair as soon as you enter their office. Copy their gestures, identify the words they like to use and use them yourself." Finally, choose the right time to address the subject and avoid public places like the coffee machine or the canteen.
Come up with new ideas
"There are no problems, there are only solutions," said André Gide. Make this maxim your own and suggest other options to your boss when you think they are wrong. "I am project manager for the Americas sector for a travel agency," says Ségoleine, 37. "It often happens that my boss - to be fair, I should point out that he manages five continents - puts forward wacky ideas. I avoid reacting in the heat of the moment and wait two or three days to submit other projects to him. And I always manage to get him to take ownership of part of them. For example, I remind him that he himself suggested the idea to me a few weeks earlier. I also punctuate my sentences with involving phrases, such as "What do you think?" As a result, he feels involved. And we more easily manage to find a compromise between his idea and mine."
Accept the risk of a falling out
If, after all these steps, your boss does not change their position, you have two options: swallow your pride and continue to do the work you are paid for, or act even if it means losing them. "When this kind of situation repeats itself, you have to rely on the strength of the collective," explains Hélène Jacob. "You are probably not the only one to challenge your superior's decision. In this case, try to discuss it with them together." However, designate a single spokesperson to express the general dissatisfaction, so that they do not feel cornered and can also express themselves. If this meeting leads to nothing, you can use the ultimate weapon: ask for a meeting with their superior.
"But be careful: it is possible that your boss will interpret this as a declaration of war and that your relationship will suffer without the conflict being resolved," warns Hélène Jacob. In this case, it may be time to adopt Jean-Pierre Chevènement's formula: "Either you shut up or you resign." Provided you have carefully assessed the stakes: is a mustard ice cream worth it?
Christelle Pangrazzi
Capital.fr
Posted online on March 18, 2013.
