Handle with care - Learn to recognise and work around different management styles of bosses

This post came out from The Straits Times (4 January 2014)
Title - Handle with care

Some pointers that I've got are:
1. The fire fighters
2. The weather disturbance
3. The minimalist

On The fire fighters

• These bosses are always in emergency mode; there's always a raging fire that needs to be put out, therefore every task they assign is urgent and important. But you can only attend to one thing at a time. Getting on pressing task after another, and receiving constant "where is the report I asked you ten minutes ago?" is the shortest path to an ulcer.
• Do not catch their stress. Getting all tense and anxious yourself will keep you from the clear head you need to approach the "crisis" objectively. Instead, calmly explain how much time and resources you have, share what tasks you have and ask which one is higher in priority.
• Sometimes fire fighter bosses simply need to be reminded that you are a person not a machine, and that you function better without a ticking clock in your ear. If this approach doesn't work, explain to your boss that to meet the dateline, you would have to make some shortcuts, so perhaps output standards can be lowered to meet the time frame.

On The weather disturbance

• These bosses sometimes want to talk to you, sometimes they don't. One morning they're all upbeat and cheery, the next day they're the bearer of doom. There are moments when proposals get approved without question, but catch him or her at a bad time, and similar proposals are thrown out of the window.
• Having a moody boss will require keen powers of observation, especially in the science of behaviour. As the chances of calling out your boss without getting burnt is nil, you need to make the adjustments yourself.
• Figure out the times your boss is in a good mood. Is he a morning who works best after three cups of coffee, or does his motor run better during mid-day? Time your reports when he is less likely to be cranky. Watch out for other signs that he's in a bad mood so you can act accordingly. Don't get mad or hold grudges.
• Aim for empathy. Perhaps your boss suffers from intense pressure from his bosses, or maybe his health is not great. If his mood swings are all bluster anyway - meaning he still gets the job done - maybe you can afford to be a little more patient.

On The minimalist

• This kind of boss rarely interferes in the daily operations of his department. He gives few instructions and doesn't bother about accountability. Now, while some degree of autonomy is great for empowering staff, this management style borders on neglect. What's worse, when things go wrong, you take the blame.
• Before you get frustrated enough to type the resignation letter, perhaps you can start by increasing your boss's awareness of the fact that you are flapping around like a fish out of the water. 
• It's easy to make the assumption that your boss is lazy but perhaps he honestly believes you're better off with less control. Maybe the hands off approach is because he trusts you enough to get the job done. 
• If so, take the proactive route and just constantly ask for directions. Do your work to the best of your ability and take the opportunity to shine. Anticipate potential problems and solve them yourself. Get motivated by the fact that in doing so upper management is going to notice sooner or later who's greasing the gears and offer you a more challenging role. 

Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big