Bossirus

Being in a consultancy services company one of the many advantages I have is the fact that I get to work on different assignments. Each assignment brings with it a new set of excitement and challenges. It also gives me an opportunity to work with a new team, a new client and a new BOSS.

Bosses are different creatures. It seems they are infected by a rare virus called Bossirus. Each boss has a particular strain of the virus. This virus infects as soon as someone becomes a boss. Here are the known strains of Bossirus, written in no particular order:

Agony aunt/uncle: They are the best bosses if you think you are the chosen one to suffer in life. Some people think that they suffer not only in office but in every sphere of life. The ‘agony aunt/uncle’ bosses have loads of sympathetic stories to share.

Warning: Don’t mistake them to be an easy boss to manage as they may look easy on the surface. They are all ears for your miseries but when it comes to work they are stricter than your school headmaster.  

Hawk: They are bosses who focus on work. They are the best. Period. The only mantra to work with them and succeed is to be the best. The second best is something they don’t understand. If you are not confident about yourself and your work stay way from them. They don’t believe in second chance.

Warning: Best is what they expect but if you fail to deliver the best then make sure you have plan B. There is no room for mistakes and if there is one then they won’t shy from saying, ‘I have to re-plan’.

Ha Ha Ha: They are real misery if you want some direction in work. They lack vision and hardly know anything worthwhile. They climb the corporate ladder not on merit but to fill void. A void created when the best leaves the organisation all of a sudden. They are also like chewing gum sticking to the position. They are never a threat to the top as they never challenge the status quo. Their only response is ‘yes’ to what ever is asked to them or a broad smile if they don’t understand what is being asked.

Warning: It is a real pain to have them as boss. They lack insight and common sense. Stay as far away as possible from them. But if you are lazy lad then they can turn out to be god-sent.

Thank you or no thank you: They mean business. They have no-nonsense approach to life and work. The only thing they expect in the status reports is ‘task completed’. They are delight to work with as they bring in lot of clarity and discipline.

Warning: They only want results and can turn frustrating if you fail to deliver because of dependency on others. 

Go ahead: They are rarest of the rare to find. They are eager to give you control of the task. They not only give you free hand but also act like a mentor. You need to work with one to understand what I am talking about.

Warning: If you are not ready to lead then it may turn out to be a lost opportunity to have them as your boss.

Run for cover: These bosses are never sure as what they are doing and always cover themselves from a potential disaster. They never take ownership and are first to point fingers. They always take cover for whatever they do.

Warning: Not an inspiring boss to have but yes they will always teach you a lesson or two on organisational politics. If you work with then for long thier is a high chance that your risk taking ability will be lost for ever. 

It goes with out saying that I have been blessed to work with some great bosses. This article is written with zest and in a light hearted mood.