Leadership Tip

How to build trust with your Type A boss

It's not easy working under high performers. While Type A bosses are driven and successful, they're also demanding and more likely to micromanage. But you can improve your relationship, and make your job more enjoyable.

  1. Speak up. If you disagree about something or have other concerns, be direct. Show that you're not afraid to voice opinions, and your boss will respect you.`
     
  2. Get to know your boss. Build an outside-of-work relationship by sharing some of your personal passions and goals. Do you both have kids? Play tennis? Finding similarities can help you two build trust.
     
  3. Know that it's not you. If your boss is piling more work on you and not giving enough credit, try to push your frustrations aside and ask how he [she] is doing. Chances are he is not trying to be dismissive; he's just lacking sleep or has a big decision weighing on him.

The above leadership tip...
was sent in response to a question from a participant on our 10/10 leadership development and mentoring programme and adapted from Tips for Working Under a Type-A Boss by Melissa Raffoni. Whether you're a first time manager or an experienced leader, straightforward, practical advice on best practice is hard to find. Until now. To find out how you, your team or your organisation can benefit, please join us on our next complimentary webinar or contact us.

Subscribe

Free weekly email on things you didn't know last week with links to articles on leadership excellence. To view previous editions click here.


Learn how to lead effectively

Gleaned from wisdom acquired by working with hundreds of highly successful leaders from the world of business, media and sport, our workshops are fortified with practical tips to help you better lead yourself, your team and your business.

Read More

Leadership Articles

10 actions for effective communication

High-quality communication is an essential element in business and organisational performance. Effective communication relies on engaging with people, having a commitment to building strong and productive relationships and realising that we communicate... read more

10 actions for advancing your career

Standing out at work isn’t about wearing a flashy hat - though, that could help. The more effective way to make an impact is by developing the skills that will get you noticed. Here are 10 strategies for advancing your career: Make skills... read more

10 actions for achieving best performance

Success does not begin with radically changing the way you work or acquiring new skills: the first step is to take what you already do to the highest level.  However trivial it may seem, if you can do a task more smartly than you did before, and... read more

Leadership Tips

How to make your habits stick

When it comes to building lasting habits, strict routines aren't always the answer. Research suggests that while consistency is important, the ability to adapt is what truly makes habits stick. As a leader, balancing structure with flexibility can help... read more

How to create a vision that motivates

Great leaders don’t just set goals - they paint a compelling picture of the future that energizes people to act. A motivating vision doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, but it does need to be clear, grounded, and empowering. Here’s how to create one that... read more

How to be more assertive

The more words you use, the more it sounds like you don’t know what you’re talking about. Long explanations often come across as uncertainty or overcompensation. Two or three clear sentences will always sound more confident - and more respectful of... read more