Travelling with your Boss
Q: I follow Bollywood gossip as closely as I do
marketing trends. Can I read a film magazine on the plane if seated with my
boss? A: It’s dependent upon three factors – your job, your
industry and the rapport you share with your boss. Take the first factor - as a
marketing professional you are expected to stay in tune with the latest
industry trends and a few minutes spent on a film magazine is fine. Next
consider your industry - if you are working in a creative field (e.g. fashion, media,
publishing or journalism) reading about current trends/ news is again a part of
your job whereas in traditional businesses (e.g. legal, consulting or financial
services) Bollywood gossip is not relevant to your role. Next, consider the rapport
you share with your boss – if your boss is a Hindi movie buff, he/she will be
happy to hear bits of gossip from your film magazine; on the other hand if
he/she displays no visible interest in movies, it’s best you read a book or
work on your laptop.
Q: I just spent the day in soul-crushing meetings.
Do I have to spend the night drinking with my boss at the hotel bar? A: Not
at all. In the evening, enjoy a quick drink/ meal with your boss and excuse
yourself. Tell your boss that you have to prepare for your next day’s meetings
and have to reply to some urgent emails. Also, if possible, shift the evening
venue from the hopping hotel bar to the more sober specialty restaurant.
Q: What's the best way to bend my boss's ear about my ideas without pestering her? A: As a committed professional, be consistent and creative with your ideas and your boss will value you as a team member.
Q: What's the best way to bend my boss's ear about my ideas without pestering her? A: As a committed professional, be consistent and creative with your ideas and your boss will value you as a team member.
Q: Between meetings, my boss asks me to spill the
hot office gossip. What to do? A: Tread carefully as this can become a
one-way street! It’s your choice but do consider the two options. Option A –
share all the nasty things you’ve heard at the water-cooler; your boss will
enjoy hearing them but it will erode his trust in you. Also, he will view you
as a team-member who is wasting precious office time on gossip. Option B -
share a few nuggets of gossip which are an open secret in the office grapevine
and pretend to know no more, retaining your professional image.
Q: What
do I do if my boss starts confiding in me about his/her family problems? A: You can safely assume that your boss trusts you if he confides
in you. Patiently hear his problems, show empathy and resist the urge to offer
advise. Also, don’t break his trust by sharing ‘hot news’ about him with your
colleagues.
Q: My male boss invited me to his hotel room to go
over our presentation. Any chance he's using "PowerPoint" as a
euphemism? A: Politely suggest to your boss that the coffee shop
serves an excellent cappuccino - your boss will get the hint. On a business
trip, discuss business at public places i.e. hotel’s lobby, coffee shop,
airport lounge, business centre, etc. When travelling alone withy your boss,
never visit your boss’s room.
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