The managing director of the company is looking for a team that would be able to handle an additional assignment. Manpower is stretched and most department heads are keeping silent. Suddenly, one hand shoots up. Your overenthusiastic boss has just volunteered you and your team for months of hard work and long hours. Lately, he’s been piling on the work, with little regard for what you have on your plate. Devina Sengupta has some suggestions for how to deal with a boss like this.
Learn to say no
This is an art that needs practice. If the boss asks for a submission at noon, delay it by an hour or two. “But do this only if the assignment is not crucial, and certainly don’t do it all the time,” says Pravesh Aggarwal, manager at a Bangalore-based retail firm. When asked about the assignment, say the number of things that you have on your plate are making it difficult for you to finish things on time. “But this could have an adverse effect during appraisals so you must learn to prioritise what you can,” adds Aggrawal.
Play it down
If the boss jumps at every idea you suggest, then amend your list. “Get the most important ones you want to work on out there, alongside the ones that are doable,” says Dwiwesh Debuka, an advertising professional. “It helps not to volunteer and lie low for a few quarters, and then put your name up for another assignment.” When you can’t keep up with the boss, sometimes it helps to slow things down for a bit.
Align with the super boss
When your immediate boss is a buzzing bee, it helps to do a quick check of the tasks on your super boss’ list, if that’s possible, and align yourself accordingly. Salil Saxena, an HR professional with a manufacturing firm, has frequent meetings with his super boss where he gets to know the man’s top five requirements. “Prioritise accordingly, and work towards those five things since the super boss is likely to ask your boss for those first,” says Saxena. He realised recruitment is top-of the list for his super boss, so he makes sure that despite being saddled with other tasks, he works on that first. It helps him score brownie points, by keeping all his bosses happy.
Take stock of resources
The next time a task is assigned to you, speak up and ask for more resources, if necessary. This is also a way to get the message across to your boss that perhaps the job requires more than one person, and he must get others to pitch in too. Getting more hands on the deck is never easy, especially when the organisation is short-staffed. Rohit Gopal works for a Mumbai-based equity firm and has a boss who piles on the work. “I make it clear that the extra work can only be done if I get some help from others, and then the work is divided,” he says. This has made his boss think twice before dumping extra tasks on him.
Be honest
If all of the above fail, then just have a talk with the boss on why you cannot take on the additional responsibilities. Explain the tasks you are working on, their deadlines and how you will not be able to give your best to the new assignments. Be prepared for negotiations, but remain firm when he coaxes you to take up the job.
Learn to say no
This is an art that needs practice. If the boss asks for a submission at noon, delay it by an hour or two. “But do this only if the assignment is not crucial, and certainly don’t do it all the time,” says Pravesh Aggarwal, manager at a Bangalore-based retail firm. When asked about the assignment, say the number of things that you have on your plate are making it difficult for you to finish things on time. “But this could have an adverse effect during appraisals so you must learn to prioritise what you can,” adds Aggrawal.
Play it down
If the boss jumps at every idea you suggest, then amend your list. “Get the most important ones you want to work on out there, alongside the ones that are doable,” says Dwiwesh Debuka, an advertising professional. “It helps not to volunteer and lie low for a few quarters, and then put your name up for another assignment.” When you can’t keep up with the boss, sometimes it helps to slow things down for a bit.
Align with the super boss
When your immediate boss is a buzzing bee, it helps to do a quick check of the tasks on your super boss’ list, if that’s possible, and align yourself accordingly. Salil Saxena, an HR professional with a manufacturing firm, has frequent meetings with his super boss where he gets to know the man’s top five requirements. “Prioritise accordingly, and work towards those five things since the super boss is likely to ask your boss for those first,” says Saxena. He realised recruitment is top-of the list for his super boss, so he makes sure that despite being saddled with other tasks, he works on that first. It helps him score brownie points, by keeping all his bosses happy.
Take stock of resources
The next time a task is assigned to you, speak up and ask for more resources, if necessary. This is also a way to get the message across to your boss that perhaps the job requires more than one person, and he must get others to pitch in too. Getting more hands on the deck is never easy, especially when the organisation is short-staffed. Rohit Gopal works for a Mumbai-based equity firm and has a boss who piles on the work. “I make it clear that the extra work can only be done if I get some help from others, and then the work is divided,” he says. This has made his boss think twice before dumping extra tasks on him.
Be honest
If all of the above fail, then just have a talk with the boss on why you cannot take on the additional responsibilities. Explain the tasks you are working on, their deadlines and how you will not be able to give your best to the new assignments. Be prepared for negotiations, but remain firm when he coaxes you to take up the job.
(Some names changed on request)
(The Economic Times, Mumbai, 31-05-2011)
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