Second in a Series

Does your boss plan everything for the team, department, or organization down to the most insignificant detail? Are employees provided a written manual or guidebook upon hiring and warned that breaking the rules will get them dismissed? Are the walls of offices and conference rooms papered with progress charts dotted with yellow Post Its? Do your reports come back with misspellings circled and a note saying “See Me”? If so, chances are good your boss is a Dominant “Earth” temperament.

Earth Bosses typically encourage the use of standardized procedures, processes, and practices and strongly believes in a management hierarchy. These very traditional leaders distribute agendas far in advance of meetings and start and end on time. They view the world and see facts, figures, and realities and they want to organize and plan them in the most minute detail.

Earth Bosses truly believes they are watchdogs for their organizations. They are always on the lookout for people. practices, and activities that could jeopardize the profits, working environment, or even the reputation of their companies. If you are perceived by your Earth Boss to be placing your team or department in danger with your innovative ideas, newfangled approaches, and clever inventions, guess what his/her reaction will be?

How to Become More Effective in Working with an Earth Boss? 10 Hints!

1) Invite him/her to social events outside of the office or work environment. Earth Bosses view such occasions as opportunities for promoting their organizations, strengthening relationships with existing clients, and connecting with new ones;

2) Spend time and effort correcting your grammar and misspellings when submitting written documents. Earth Bosses are detail-oriented and expect that you will care enough about your work to take the time to do it right — like they do;

3) Follow all HR policies concerning working hours, holidays, overtime, administrative leave, and vacation days. Earth Bosses are sensitive to the fair treatment of employees and will closely monitor time and attendance, sick leave, and vacation days to ensure no one is taking advantage of the system;

4) Expect to experience trust issues when you begin your employment. Earth Bosses believe that trust must be earned not given. The burden is on new employees to prove they can be trusted;

5) Routinely follow all company rules, policies regulations, procedures, and processes. Earth Bosses believe their organization’s culture is born from practical and successful traditions that must be supported to further the prosperity and welfare of all employees;

6) Do not suggest plans, projects, or strategies that may be interpreted as jeopardizing the organization in any way. Earth Bosses view their reason for existence as protecting their institutions from failure, damage, or even loss of reputation;

7) Submit financial justification for the implementation of any project idea. Earth Bosses require ideas, suggestions, or innovations be presented in terms that acknowledge their fiscal viability. Proposals relying solely or extensively on anecdotal or emotional evidence are rarely acceptable;

8) Set up reminders on calendars or phones to avoid missing deadlines, milestones, or progress reports. Earth Bosses need assurance that progress is being made to achieve work tasks on time and within budget;

9) Avoid taking unnecessary risks. Earth Bosses believe taking chances or unwarranted risks may place the stability of the workplace in danger; and,

10) Avoid complaining about micro-managing. Earth Bosses do not believe they ever do this! They view such actions as “attention to detail” and a positive skill that adds immeasurable value to the work of their employees.

Still Having Problems?

As your awareness of temperament increases, you will begin to appreciate the strengths that other Dominant temperaments bring to the workplace. The road to more effectively connecting with your Earth Boss begins with the realization that he/she brings many abilities and skills to your organization (many that you do not bring!).

Earth Bosses provide structure and administer systems that aid in achieving work tasks. They write job descriptions that communicate precisely what is expected of employees. Their financial systems inform the organization when they’re profitable or not and ensure that your salary is paid and travel expenses reimbursed. The HR systems they manage reassures employees that health benefits are available and that personal and confidential counseling is obtainable. The Strategic Plans and Mission Statements they help develop provide action steps for achieving future goals. The deadlines and schedules they create and monitor identify the type, number, variety, and timing of inputs needed from internal customers and external resources. Meetings they conduct afford venues for corporate announcements and platforms for sharing employee information. The managerial hierarchies they oversee provide chains of command for decision-making and the checks and balances needed to achieve transparency and accountability.

The historical success of most organizations, in large part, can be attributed to the effectiveness of the systems maintained and administered by Earth Bosses.

In this series of articles we will examine the behaviors that are typically associated with bosses (i.e., department heads, directors, managers, and supervisors) holding each Dominant temperament and strategize how we can work with them more effectively. I’ve written a number of books on the subject of temperament.