Tips to support my boss

August 2, 2008 4:19 PM

How do I support my awesome new boss in an environment full of chaos?

There have been a number of decisions made at my software company that I don't agree with. Technical jobs being moved offshore, irresponsible people given lots of responsibility, etc. Several people I enjoyed working with won't be around moving forward. we're also working with a skeleton crew and couldn't afford to lose these people.
However, one big positive came in the Pandora's Box. A very capable fellow project manager has been promoted to head of our department, and I would like to support him in every way possible because I know he understands our roles and can at least try to help support us in the midst of all this chaos. He's considered young and unproven and is friends with all of us, and I know he will feel pressure to change those interactions. This is fine, but I would really like tips to help support him and make him look good, so he can continue and help us thrive.

posted by anonymous to work & money (5 answers total)

Might be smarter to prep the resume and bail; a software company that outsources it's core competency and is going through layoffs is pretty clearly circling the drain.

Be aware that your friend will be under impossible stress and will be unlikely to be your friend for long. His job will be to take your team and reduce project costs. Typically this is done by reducing headcount and agreeing to impossible schedules. An inexperienced department lead for the project management team just sounds like the icing on the cake.
posted by jenkinsEar at 4:36 PM on August 2, 2008

Agreed (with jenkinsEar)! Spend time looking for other opportunities rather than how you can suck up to your new boss.

It what you say is true, it sounds as if your company is getting ready to clean house. Even your so-called boss friend may be up on the chopping block soon enough.

Good luck.
posted by hal_c_on at 4:50 PM on August 2, 2008

Watch out for his back. If you see anything that could cause a problem down the road, give him a heads up.

I don't see this as sucking up as much as showing him that he can rely on you. So take the worse that could happen, you both get laid off. He lands a job with a great company and hires you for his team.

It's always a good idea to keep your resume up to date.
posted by JujuB at 5:14 PM on August 2, 2008

Help him develop realistic project schedules. Think of the bajillion things that can go wrong when developing timelines and budgets. Then help him meet (or beat) those timelines and budgets.

Remind him to spend some time networking with random people in the company and developing relationships where other people have his back.
posted by salvia at 6:22 PM on August 2, 2008

Give your best every day. No one can expect more. No one will expect more. By giving your best, you show your boss you care for his, and your, success.

You can also support your boss by living in the present, right here and now. Whatever has happened at the job in the past, let it go. This means you can enjoy what is happening right now. Dwelling on the past will lead to self-pity, pessimism, and suffering and prevent you from doing your best. Look out the windshield, not in the rear view mirror.
posted by netbros at 9:00 PM on August 2, 2008 [1 favorite]