If you are not sure how your boss wants something done, always ask

By Aidah Nanyonjo

THE workplace is full of all kinds of personalities. How best you get along with them, especially your bosses, determines how comfortable and productive your time at office will be.

Julius Kateega, a human resources consultant with Competitive Choices Ltd, says what employees often consider as nagging bosses results from unmet expectations.

“When the employer and employee do not share a common vision, mission and objectives, there is going to be room for nagging,” he warns.
Kateega recommends careful listening. Most errors on the job are preceded with “I thought you said” excuses.

“Understand the organisation’s goals, mission and vision and be sure you break them into personal expectations from your boss. The more you get this right the clearer you steer away from complaints and arguments from your boss,” says Kateega.

Ruth Ssenyonyi, a counselling psychologist at Bank of Uganda, says before branding a boss as nagging you should check yourself first. The problem might be with you.

“Ask yourself why he or she finds fault with your work or tells you to repeat it over and over again,” Ssenyonyi says.
Some people when hurt will keep quiet and never answer back their bosses. Then there is that confrontational lot that ‘forces’ the boss to tow their line.

Kateega advises against being confrontational because in the end the subordinate is most likely to lose.
A simple ‘sorry’ after a clash of egos and flaring of tempers between your boss and yourself might save you the excessive wrath of your boss.
“When the big man or woman cools down, they may realise they were wrong and that makes you a winner,” adds Kateega.

Mistakes are inevitable but the way we deal with them differs from how our bosses will react.
“Try to take criticism positively. If you deem the criticism personal, excessive and unnecessary, then you seek out ‘higher authorities,” Ssenyonyi says.

If you are not sure how your boss wants something done, ask. When things go wrong it will also save you from spending hours on a result that your boss will deem useless.
“If you do not agree with your boss, you need to show him that you see his side of the story before you propose other alternatives. Your boss of course assumes that whatever he proposes will work. Therefore, telling him that it will not work might bias him not to see your point hence the ensuing arguments,” Kateega says.

It is important to keep the communication lines open if bosses and subordinates are to coexist.
“Ask for some time to talk to him or her. Explain yourself. Try to find out why you are always on the wrong side. Ask your boss how you can perform better or meet his or her standards,” Ssenyonyi says.
What if you propose something and your boss does not take it up and later it turns out you were very right?

Of course you could be tempted to let him know he made a grave mistake by disregarding your counsel. But that does not rule out the fact that he is still your boss.
“Much as you may consider and brand your boss nagging, do not forget that bosses too do not want a nagging subordinate.”
In many offices, allegations of blackmail resulting from rejected sexual advances form the rumour mill.

“One thing that is a source of nagging between male and female employees and bosses is in the area of relationships and sexual advances. If you do not like him, do not let him ask you out,” Kateega advises.