Do you feel sorry for your boss?

Question

Do you empathize with a boss for the late nights, meetings, corporate BS, or do you prefer one isn't great at his/her job, but gives you latitude to figure things out for yourself?

Anonymous · Answer

I want it all.  It’s very frustrating to watch people in higher paid positions than me not do their jobs well and me having to dig them out of their holes.  My boss is well compensated and good at what he does. I don’t feel bad for him.  But I’m lucky and he doesn’t micro manage so win win for me.

Melly Tillinghast · Answer

I believe everything needs to have a balance. Having late night and early calls are almost a necessity when you work for a global company. The balance would be the frequency of the calls and managing the team's expectations. Personally, I would rather have a boss who is good at his/her job so I can continue to learn from him/her. But it is just as important, for me, to have a boss who is not a micro-manager.

Maggie B · Answer

If I have a good boss, I'll go the extra mile for them.  I mean, putting-in-15-hours-on-a-Saturday extra mile.  However, if I have a boss that toes the company line and speaks fluent Lip Service, you know my feet are hitting the pavement promptly at 4:30 and I'm not looking back.

Anonymous · Answer

I believe that having a boss who gives you latitude to figure things out on your own doesn't necessarily need to come at the expense of being good at their own job! I think every boss and manager has strengths and weaknesses and if they are not good at their job in any area (or the most important ones), the thing I would be worried about is not whether I get the right level of attention so much as how long I'm going to have that manager (and then therefore my job)!

Liz Bui · Answer

I think if I had to choose between one of the two choices you listed, I would choose the late nights for a competent boss. I always look for a mentor in my employer, someone who pushes boundaries and your growth limits. Sometimes an individual needs guidance and advice in whatever growth path they take and with a competent boss, they have a lot of knowledge to share. That ultimately also depends on where you are in your personal life as well, like are you young and really willing to work hard, late nights, or do you have a family at home that needs you to have more work-life balance. Ultimately, be ambitious, work hard and maybe that will lead to a lot more latitude to figure out things for yourself. Good Luck!

Anonymous · Answer

That's encouraging that you have a good boss. So many of us have to walk the tightrope of being 'seen' for doing a good job, and hoping we're not being taking advantage of in the process. Thank you for your post!

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you and agreed - it's a delicate balance. Almost like parenthood in some ways....how much latitude are you comfortable with before a professional 'timeout'? :)

Anonymous · Answer

I feel sorry for my boss because she was so clearly pushed into management and, perhaps because of lack of training or personality, is not a good manager. She's always frazzled and stressed, saying our team has so much to do, yet the rest of us sit here asking for more work! Her inability to delegate and mentor are the reasons I'm currently interviewing at other jobs.

Anonymous · Answer

Yessss - agreed.

Do you feel sorry for your boss?

You're invited.

See what women are sharing on Fairygodboss.