Handling a non-delegating boss

Dear Bob,

In general I have a good relationship with my boss.  She is competent, hardworking, and intelligent; I respect her as a professional and I would also consider us friends outside of work.  In general, she’s an ideal boss.  With one exception that continues to tug at me… she is a terrible delegator!

She works long hours, insists on making the final decision on even the most insignificant matters, and keeps everyone else out of the loop on any high level projects and tasks.  She keeps all of her work on her personal hard drive rather than in the department’s shared directory where we could access it, even though it is not sensitive information (we get paper copies).  Her paperwork is either in random piles on her desk or filed in her office, where nobody has easy-access.  On many occasions this controlling behavior has left me looking rather inept.  As her “second in command” people often come to me when she is not available and expect me to have answers for them.  Unfortunately, I am usually unable to help them with even the simplest of questions.

I have addressed the issue politely with her many times… offering my help both in general and with specific tasks.  I have lightly chided her on her need to delegate and spend less nights and weekends in the office.  I have expressed my desire to “grow” in my career.  The last time I brought up the subject she got defensive and seemed quite offended.  Her superiors have also suggested better delegation.  Nothing seems to work.

I honestly don’t think she does these things out of a sense of insecurity about her position… it seems more that she feels that only she can perform these tasks adequately and correctly, and that training another person and working through their learning curve would be time wasted.  It’s the typical “I-can-do-it-faster-myself” mentality.

This would otherwise be my “dream job”, but lately, because of this issue, it seems to be lacking a lot of intangibles.  I have been feeling inadequate and unchallenged.  Even though I hold a title and salary of “manager” I really do not feel my responsibilities are any greater than most staff members.  Should I just cash my check and be happy as an overpaid worker-bee… or is there a way to take on more without stepping on her toes?

– Figure Head

Dear Figure Head

I think it’s time to join “Have-A-Bad-Boss Anonymous.” That would entitle you to make use of the serenity prayer, and you need it, because one of the things you can’t influence, let alone change, is your manager’s behavior.

Apparently, nobody can.

This isn’t a situation that’s going to change, unless upper management finally tires of having a manager who doesn’t know how to lead or manage effectively. I don’t recommend going over her head on an issue like this either. It isn’t as if she’s creating a hostile, threatening, or discriminatory work environment. She’s simply an awful manager, but because she works like a fiend, she delivers the results her management is looking for – at least enough that the risks associated with replacing her appear to be greater than the risks associated with keeping her where she is.

If she were a close friend you could close the door, look her in the eye, become exasperated, and give it to her straight: “Unless you start delegating some authority so my job is more than being bossed around on a task-by-task basis, I’m going to be open to the first good offer that comes along. And before you get offended – you have no idea how offended I am that you don’t trust me to make a decision more significant than what I’m going to have for lunch.”

She’d have to be a very good friend, and open to outside views besides, for this to have even a chance of working. Even then, the chance isn’t good enough to outweigh the risks.

So you have two choices – find another opportunity, or RIP (which of course stands for “Retire In Place”). The problem with RIP, of course, is that unless you’re near the career finish line, nearly ready to fish and play golf for the rest of your life, it will ruin you for useful work in the future.

Which leaves you with one choice.

– Bob