“Not only do managers need to become better managers, we also frequently need to be managed better by our employees. I’m always open to new ideas, anything to make me more effective and a better manager and leader, if it makes sense.”

  • Learn how to deliver news
  • Learn your boss’s likes and dislikes
  • Don’t expect your boss to take responsibility for your relationship
  • Help your manager to be successful
  • Don’t rush things

    “Handlers ensure that the celebrity gets from point A to point B. They have the talking points prepared for the celebrity to deliver on camera or in an interview. Acting like a handler makes your boss more efficient and effective”

    Celebrity Handler Tip: Prepping Boss for Meeting

    • 10 minutes prior to meeting, go into his office to remind him of the meeting
    • prep him with a brief summary of important points of the meeting
    • hand him the report or paperwork to be used in the meeting
    • brief him on the report
    • remind him of the desired outcomes from the meeting
    • observe if he wanted me to enter meeting with him or have us enter separately
    • during meeting, watch his cues, then act accordingly to support or take initiative on a topic

    source: SmartLemming.com

    1. Learn how to deliver news: From my perspective, if bad news isn’t framed the right way, in the right context, and with the right tone and urgency, then direct reports can over-dramatize or minimize the news by accident.
    2. Learn your boss’s likes and dislikes: I’ve always made it a point to understand how my bosses work, what they like and don’t like. It’s up to the direct report to adjust to the boss, not the other way around.
    3. Don’t expect your boss to take responsibility for your relationship: Managers are busy. They’re busy doing their jobs just as you’re busy doing yours. They believe in accountability, but won’t necessarily take responsibility for your relationship. Unfortunately, this rests with you. It doesn’t make sense, but it just happens. As managers, we’re too busy in our world and at times must have direct reports take responsibility of the relationship. If you’re having problems, be proactive and speak up. Managers aren’t mind readers. If you’re disappointed in the relationship, how have both of you contributed to create the situation?
    4. Help your manager to be successful: Always help your manager be successful. It makes them look good and it makes you look good, especially if you have a manager that believes in giving credit where credit is due. You don’t want a weak boss. That just makes you’re work life harder.
    5. Don’t rush things: Don’t give trust freely to anyone, especially your boss. They have to earn it and your loyalty. I’ve had bosses who didn’t deserve my trust. I gave it, thinking they had earned it and I was still disappointed and even betrayed. Be careful. Bosses are all too human and have their weaknesses that can hurt you.