Are You Brave Enough To Ask Your Boss These Questions?
There are questions we talk about in the pantry, but are too darn afraid to actually ask them.
We often look at the front liners, the supervisors and even up to the middle managers when we want to gauge how effective plans and strategies were put into action. That’s a rational exploit since they are the ones who turn the company’s battle plan into concrete actions. But rarely do we look at the top guys who actually conceive the path on which the company will trudge. The higher you are in the corporate food chain, the more power you have to influence the direction of the company – and every person in the organization. If there is internal turmoil at the top, it will ripple down the line with devastating force. That’s the hard truth about business leadership.
Is the boss competent enough to run the company?
Ok, it’s probably not a good idea as an employee to question the credibility of our superiors – at least not out loud and not to their face. But hey, we have seen programs and policies shoved our way that makes us cringe and wail out WHAT!
But they are not placed up there just for the fun of it. Although we have our concerns, we have no other recourse but to trust (however sparse) in their competence as a leader and as a manger. Of course we can politely share our thought on business matters, but the final decision is often out of our hands.
A corollary to this question is how in the world did you get that position?
How do they deal with the personality flaws of other bosses?
Many employees have to contend with superiors with personality defects. Whether it’s an overbearing boss or a demanding one, there’s always something that employees see as fault. Having to deal with them every day can be irritating. Now just imagine all the bosses with their personality flaws gathering in just one room? More than that, they have to contend with each other’s annoying traits.
Sometimes it makes you think if their bossy behavior is just to exert their authority. Or perhaps it’s a genetically encoded defect that everyone has to struggle with on a regular basis.
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- How to Avoid Gossips in the Workplace: A Corporate Culture Necessity
- Effective Communication in the Workplace: Poor Questions Sap the Creativity of Employees
- Corporate Culture and the Prima Donna Employees - Dealing With Difficult People
- Principles of Effective Communication We Take for Granted
- Management Failure: The Minion-Minded Manager
How cohesive are the top guys?
Sure there are office gossips and rumors about who is in league with whom. Although, some top guys try to hide any animosity with each other, they can’t hide it 24/7. It is normal to have professional disagreements about the business organization. But there are numerous instances where professional disagreements cross over into more personal disputes. Unfortunately, such a dismal bond can affect not just their personal relationship but the entire direction of the organization.
Do they draw straws to resolve issues and differences?
Not every policy or strategic direction is done with all top guys agreeing. In many cases, they have to slug it out before it is rolled out. Obviously it’s more than just spinning a bottle to determine which plans get enacted. Oh, if only it were that simple!
Although some decisions may seem to be borne out of incompetence, they have their reasons – strategic or otherwise. Moreover, many decisions especially from the top undergo numerous contemplations before it is rolled out.
Of course curious questions many would like to ask like: Can I get a raise? Can I apply for a paid leave? But they are probably reserved for another hub. Here, we put into perspective some questions that directly affect the organization and how it is run.
If you were given the chance to be candid with your boss, what questions would you ask?
