Working for multiple bosses is a tricky proposition, but it does not have to feel like working in a minefield. The key to managing the demands and needs of more than one boss is developing a strategy that emphasizes effective communication and clear prioritization. If your job involves reporting to two or more people, these tips from professional admin assistants can help you get a handle on organizing your workflow.
Know Your Bosses
It is not enough to know what is important to your bosses. You also have to understand the organizational chart and your place in it. When you first start working for multiple bosses, Amy Gallo in an article at the Harvard Business Review, suggests that you find out which of them, if any, has ultimate authority over your position. Understanding the power structure and the politics of your workplace helps you set priorities for your work.
Keep Everyone Informed
Admin assistants who work for multiple bosses often get overloaded with work because they are the only ones who know the full extent of their workload. A shared spreadsheet that lists ongoing tasks, projects and deadlines helps keep everyone organized and informed. As an added bonus, you get perks for being a proactive problem solver.
Ask Your Bosses to Prioritize Tasks
Do not be the one to decide whether it is more important to update the database or contact all the board members. When there is a conflict in scheduling that makes your job more difficult, try to bring your multiple bosses together to prioritize the tasks. Come up with one or more solutions and let them make the final decision.
Set Boundaries on Your Time
Many people who report to multiple bosses find their time whittled away when their supervisors drop emergency tasks on them or stop by their desks to ask for updates. If frequent interruptions are making it difficult for you to complete your assigned work, it is up to you to set some boundaries. Let your bosses know that the interruptions are affecting your productivity and set aside specific time for no interruptions. Once they see how much more productive you can be when you are allowed to work without distractions, they will happily respect the boundaries you set.
Do Not Let It Get to You
It is easy to take things personally when the work piles up and it all lands on your desk. Keep in mind that your bosses are most concerned with getting their own jobs done. They are not out to get you. When conflicts arise, understand that these things happen when you answer to multiple bosses. It is not because you are bad at your job. Take a step back and figure out where the conflicts originated, and then take steps to resolve them.
Finally, keep in mind that having multiple bosses has its positive sides too. People with multiple bosses usually find it easier to personalize their jobs and often have more autonomy than those who only report to one person. Finally, when you have more than one boss, you have a better chance of finding one who can help mentor and advance your own career.
(Photo courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)
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