INDEED IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHEN IT IS TIME TO SHUT UP AND NOT CHALLENGE YOUR BOSS!
Some call it having good political sense. I also call it having good office etiquette – since it’s part of showing respect.
You want to develop a relation of trust with your boss. This will serve both you and your boss. As an employee it’s good to know that your boss will back you up when necessary. And the same is true for your boss. He also needs to know he¹ can count on you to be his ally in certain situations.
Knowing when to “shut up” is part of what you need to master in order to develop a relationship of trust between you and your boss.
AS GENERAL RULES:
- You should not contradict or challenge your boss IN FRONT OF HIS BOSS. Always applicable.
- Do not contradict or challenge your boss IN FRONT OF CLIENTS OR PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE YOUR COMPANY. Always applicable.
- You should not contradict or challenge your boss DURING HIS TEAM MEETINGS. May depend on the context of the discussions taking place.
If you think about it, not discrediting your boss in front of his boss is simply a matter of showing respect. In fact, we also wish to get the same treatment from our colleagues in front of our own boss don’t we?
ONE GOOD TRICK
Eye contact. Keep an eye on your boss during these meetings to ‘get the message’ if he wants you to intervene, or not.
Since there are many different personalities out there, it is key to learn to know what your boss likes and doesn’t like.
1: “he” is meant to represent both men and women.
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