Dealing with Your Incompetent Boss - Parte II

Ask others for help

Look to peers or people outside the organization for advice and a place to vent. This doesn't mean indiscriminate moaning about your boss. "You're not going to help by joining in on the complaining," says McKee. Instead find confidants: a trusted colleague, a spouse, a mentor, or a coach. Explain what you are seeing, how it is impacting you and your work, and ask for advice. "This is not to conspire against your boss, but to check your point of view," says Useem. People outside the situation can give you a fresh perspective or offer helpful suggestions for how to cope.

Make it about you, not your boss

Regardless of your boss's competence level, you need to work together to get your job done, and presumably advance your career. Managing your boss works best if you frame requests and interactions around your needs. "Telling someone who is not self aware that they aren't self aware is generally not helpful," McKee explains. Instead, say something like: "I want to do a good job and achieve my goals, and I need your help to do that." Be specific about what you want: his input on your work, an introduction to another colleague, his permission to reach out to a client, etc. If he is unable to help, suggest an alternative: perhaps you can ask one of his peers or superiors for input or an introduction. Help him solve the problem.

Lead up

Rather than giving up on an ineffectual boss, focus on what you can do to fill in the holes. "It's the calling of leadership to understand what the office or organization needs, and what the customer deserves and to then help them get it. If you recognize [your boss isn't] fulfilling the mission of the enterprise, more power to you for stepping up," says Useem. You don't have to cover up mistakes but do what's best for the organization. "Leadership goes up just as often as it goes down," says Useem. You need to do this without harboring resentment. Do it because you know that it's necessary for the good of the team.

Think twice before ratting anyone out

When you're working for someone who isn't getting the job done, it can be tempting to go to your boss's boss or another leader in the organization. First consider the consequences. "Hierarchy is alive and well. And this person has more power than you do. If you're going to expose them, you need to understand the political current in your organization," warns McKee. People at the top of an organization may feel threatened if they see someone trying to take down their peer and may be unwilling to help. Useem agrees. "It's hazardous to speak up in a very pragmatic sense. If it becomes known that it was you, who's going to be the first to go?" he says. So if you do decide to formally complain, he advises doing it carefully. Test the waters with someone you trust before going to HR or a superior.

Both McKee and Useem emphasize that there are times when you are obligated to speak up. "In extreme circumstances, if the boss is involved in malfeasance, you have a duty to act," says Useem. In these cases, you need to go to HR and report what you have observed. Be ready to share evidence.