Dealing With a Dominant Boss

, ,

You have done the DiSC profile and have learned you have a Strong D –
Dominant Boss. You know that they are Doers, Decisive, Determined and Daring. How can you best work with him or her?

Speak up, both literally and figuratively. They want to hear from you and they want to hear you. If you mumble, you will lose credibility.

Keep your boss updated on relevant matters. They don’t like to be blindsided or appear ignorant.

Get to the point. Skip unnecessary details but be sure to have the facts available, should they ask for them or challenge your assumptions.

Don’t tell “stories.” You will be seen as wasting their time, even if they are entertaining. Unless the story is short and will prove a point, skip it.

Avoid generalizations. They are seen as vague and ambiguous. Be clear and specific but don’t overload your boss with too many facts and figures.

Focus on challenges and solutions rather than problems and issues. Give suggestions that are practical and easily implemented.

Spark their competitive nature. Remember, if it is not worth winning, a dominant boss won’t want to play.

Don’t take their blunt comments personally. It is not a personal attack. They just like to tell it like it is and want you to be straightforward as well.

Speak up if their dominating characteristics become disrespectful. There is a difference between a dominant boss and a bully!

Written By

drmimi

  • Dear Dr. Mimi- Feeling Like A Failure

    Dear Dr. Mimi,I messed up at my job. We had a big project that I worked hard on, and it just wasn’t as successful as we had hoped. I feel like such a failure! How do I tell my boss about it?—Feeling Like a Failure Dear Feeling,It is hard when a project doesn’t go the…

  • Dear Dr. Mimi- Feeling Unfulfilled at Work

    Dear Dr. Mimi,I have been working in my current role at my organization for almost five years. While at first, the role was exciting and satisfying, recently I have found it to be more routine and unfulfilling. I don’t hate what I do, but I don’t love it either. What suggestions do you have in…

  • Role Ambiguity Hurts Everyone

    If job satisfaction and commitment are down, and turnover is up, role ambiguity may be the cause. As organizations navigate the complexities of the modern workplace, addressing role ambiguity is essential for fostering a healthy, motivated, and productive workforce. What is role ambiguity? It is characterized by uncertainty about work responsibilities, roles, and authority. Who…