Successful Time Management For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 17

Coping with a Time-Wasting Boss

In This Chapter

• Helping your boss meet deadlines
• Protecting your personal time
• Working with and reforming a procrastinating or workaholic boss

I entered the work world prepared to be impressed by those running the show. Surely everyone out there knew more than I did, worked as hard as or harder than I did, and provided employees with everything they needed to perform superbly and eventually be promoted themselves. After all, that's why the boss is the boss, right? However, I've since discovered that although many good bosses are out there, not every manager or supervisor is an employee's dream, and even decent bosses can be poor time managers.

A boss who manages time beautifully can help make your career. But if you report to an inefficient Hindenburg of hot air or even a boss with only average time-management skills, you have three choices:

• Deal with it, knowing that your opportunities for advancement are likely to drop because other teams and departments can outproduce you. No matter how hard you work to overcome it, this situation reflects poorly on your skills and abilities. In addition, stress takes its toll on both your potential advancement and your mental and physical health.
• Move on, either to another department or position within your company or to another company altogether. If you switch companies, though, you may also leave behind benefits, vacation and personal time, and possibly a company that's a good place to work. ...