Book Overview

Are you connecting effectively with your boss? Could your professional connections be stronger? Would you like to know how your boss views your performance and the work that you do? Is your boss a stickler for rules and procedures? Does she stay locked up in her office all day never speaking to anyone? Is your boss a joker who seems to never get anything accomplished? Does your boss make exceptions for every sob story that comes across his desk? Are you required to attend numerous trainings, birthday parties, team building session, and other social events that keep you from getting your work done? Are you frustrated because you cant’ figure your boss out? You are not alone! “40 Tips for Figuring Out Your Boss!” provides readers with 10 specific tips for dealing more effectively and professionally with their bosses–and an additional 30 tips for dealing with three other types of bosses. Using the Basic Elements of Temperament (i.e., Earth, Air, Fire, and Water) as a guide, readers will identify their inborn dominant preferences for judging the actions of others and evaluating their own reactions to workplace decisions, assignments, and policies. Readers will also learn about their shadow temperament: that part of their personality often causing them the most difficulty with bosses, colleagues, co-workers and clients. The shadow, or fourth temperament in a prioritization of the four basic elements, is typically our least preferred choice of behaviors, opinions, and viewpoints based upon genetics and the influence of our environment. Contributors to the development of our shadow temperament include our parents, relatives, teachers, friends, coaches, mentors, supervisors, co-workers, religion, and our own experiences. It’s often our shadow that influences negative reactions to the decisions made by our boss. This new book offers specific actions that employees can take to enhance their working relationships. For example, an “Air Boss” who values employee competence and logical thinking will be unhappy with a presentation devoid of specific data to support a conclusion or recommendation. However, a “Water Boss” who values the personal efforts of individuals and strong working employee relationships would find that same presentation incomplete without input and feedback from employees, unions, and perhaps the HR department. An “Earth Boss” who values tradition and dislikes organizational change might be chagrined by a presentation from a “Fire” employee who values a more practical, “cutting corners” approach to solving a problem while implying that change must be embraced as a given in today’s corporate culture. Career advancement and promotions are bestowed upon those employees who are self-aware and strive to continually improve their personal skills, knowledge and attitudes. Employees quit organizations due to troublesome and negative relationships with their supervisors and bosses. It’s critical to the success of any organization to establish a working environment free from conflict and personal strife. “40 Tips for Figuring Out Your Boss!” is one of several books in the “Secrets of Temperament™” series that provide readers with concrete steps for enhancing their professional relationships while becoming more self-aware.