Things The Boss Doesn’t Tell You

Posted by Jeffrey Thomason on April 5, 2014 in Acts as a Coach and Mentor, Develops People | Leave a comment

Having just concluded a post about not keeping secrets, it occurred to me that in fact, there are probably a few secrets your boss hasn’t, and won’t ever, tell you.  Examining them is food for thought for the new leader and aspiring leader.  The experienced leader should also take note because if you can’t check the “yes” box on at least a couple of these, you might want to rethink your strategy. Jill Geisler put together a great list over at Poynter, to which I have supplemented some of my own thoughts. Keeping these things a secret is not a decision made for personal gain or pathological imperative but rather, by design, by strategy, and most definitely, for the long view.

If you have had a good boss, it is likely that they never told you that at one point, they were frustrated with your struggles at trying to develop a new skill.

If you have had a good boss, you have probably deeply offended them at some point with a careless comment, but you would have no idea when and where.

If you have had a good boss, they have probably taken a hit for a mistake you made.

If you have had a good boss, you have been defended without your knowledge.

If you have had a good boss, they have been instrumental in changing someone’s negative perception of you.

If you have had a good boss, you probably think you initiated every conversation about career development.

If you have had a good boss, they probably know about that wisecrack or two you made about management and decided to cut you some slack.  Good people deserve to vent.

If you have had a good boss, they knew about that bad week you had where you had a lot going on at home and really didn’t accomplish much.

If you have had a good boss, they likely have set aside at least one entire day in order to give you their full attention, resulting in working late, taking work home, or coming in on a weekend to finish what they had to stop.

If you have had a good boss, you got career advice when you least expected it.

If you have had a good boss, they delegated something important to you that you didn’t think you were ready for.  But they did.

If you have had a good boss, you have been trusted to do something the boss thinks is critically important.

If you have had a good boss, they have coached you away from a bad decision at least once and left you thinking you did it on your own.

If you have had a good boss, they have devoted some time to memorizing the names of your spouse, your kids, and your pets.

If you have had a good boss, you brought them a problem, and ended up part of the solution.