Understanding Your Manager / Supervisor

Many young engineers find it difficult to get adjusted to their work environment simply because they are unable to understand their manager / supervisor. This blog entry tries to provide some personality or behavioral traits of people whom you may encounter as your manager / supervisor.

Let me start with the “argumentative or “chatty” type of people. These people are in my opinion the best people to work with. They will argue and chat endlessly but they are the ones who are most likely to help you move forward in your career. They will listen to your point of view even if it is absurd or outrageous. At times when you are going overboard this type of manager / supervisor may even give you a severe reprimand. However, these people will accept your ideas if they are good for the group or organization even if it involves a lot of discussion which sometimes may meander to the mundane. This kind of a manager / supervisor may not be the most exciting to work with but believe me they mean no harm and will appreciate your contribution if you are able to resolve prickly problems and will give a sympathetic ear to the work place problems you are facing.

The “authoritarian” or “autocratic” manager / supervisor. This type of manager / supervisor has no patience to hear your woes or difficulties. He or she suffers from a massive superiority complex and will in no way tolerate any kind of dissent even if it is good for the organization. For him or her, the subordinate is a kind of idiot to be tolerated and dictated around. These type of people prefer only sycophants around them and an independent minded and smart engineer will feel himself or herself suffocated around such a manager / supervisor. If being a sycophant and tolerating bullying is not your cup of tea you should quickly look for a change of job.

The “repressed” and “vengeful” manager / supervisor. This type of manager / supervisor does not speak much and is filled with negativity. Whatever skill they have acquired is by rote that is by doing the same job 24X7 and for years together. These type of people abhor change and feel exposed when new work practices are adopted for the progress of the organization. When forced to express their opinion about any change in the work place they will only provide doomsday predictions. These people have the least regard for their colleagues and subordinates and do not trust anyone. Given the opportunity they will not hesitate to bring down a colleague or subordinate. In psychological parlance these people are suffering from a massive inferiority complex. If you are saddled with such a manager / supervisor you should look at the first opportunity to be rid of him or her, or a job change.

Again having worked for 26 years in many different organizations and under many managers / supervisors has given me an insight of the behavioral aspects of people whom I have encountered. While most of the times I was lucky to work under a very good manager / supervisor there have been those occasions where I had to encounter the “autocratic” and “repressed” type too.

Would love to hear the experiences of other members of the “Cheresources” community regarding the subject matter. Please note that I haven’t indulged in any name calling and would request the readers also to refrain from doing so while providing their comments.

Regards,
Ankur