A study comparing behavior of toddlers to bosses (I’m not kidding) found that toddler behaviors, including being overly demanding, interruptive, impulsive, tantrum-throwing, and self-oriented, in bosses had increased up to 50%. So if your boss acts like a toddler, you must not be alone. You’re probably also a bit frustrated.
Why Are Boss Egos Expanding suggests four tips for dealing with a toddler-like boss:
• Praise unselfish behavior demonstrated by your boss - Positive reinforcement of good behavior works. Encourage selflessness at every chance. If your boss takes even the slightest step in refocusing toward you, toward others on your team or in your office, praise it lavishly.
• Model good teamwork - Show that no one person can carry the entire office. Demonstrate through your words and actions how to cooperate by giving others credit when it’s due. Praise others for their teamwork.
• Find ways to make your needs known - Give your boss plenty of advance warning that you have other tasks that need your attention - diplomatically. Don’t provoke your boss, think “educate” your manager, without being patronizing.
• Help your boss understand the effects of selfish actions - When your manager takes self centered actions that have negative consequences for you, the team or your working relationship, point it out in a non-threatening, non-emotional way.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:59 am
I’ve found that toddler management tips are often very useful with grownups. You just have to phrase things a little bit differently.
October 12th, 2009 at 8:44 am
That’s often difficult. In one workplace in which I worked, the boss was so petty, childish, and paranoid that one could never mention even tactful criticism.
October 12th, 2009 at 8:55 am
I think praise works much better than tactful criticism….