I Can’t Manage My Boss

Beverly Flaxington is a practice management consultant. She answers questions from advisors facing human resource issues. To submit yours, email us here.

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Dear Bev,

I enjoyed a talk you gave this week and appreciated some of your ideas around “managing up” – when someone has a boss who is foundationally not a nice person. You mentioned things like understanding your boss’ viewpoint and trying to get into their seat and help them succeed. But what if you don’t like the person – at all? Isn’t it all about authenticity? Isn’t it about being one’s self and staying true to what I believe?

I respect your view and your talk was very helpful and insightful. But this doesn’t sit well and I don’t know if I am looking at it wrong.

Y.E.